Member Profile – Kay Schroven

YWCA Minneapolis Midtown opened in 2000—but some members were part of our community long before that. As we celebrate Midtown’s 25th anniversary, we’re highlighting longtime members whose stories show YWCA Minneapolis’s lasting impact. 

Meet Kay Schroven. Originally from Wisconsin, she joined YWCA Minneapolis in 1986 In addition to being a dedicated member, Kay also worked for YWCA Minneapolis on an interim basis, helping to improve employee benefits and strengthen the organization from within. 

“At 70, I think I’m healthier than I was at 60 and 50 because I come here and I do what I need to do. I have time to plan my menus, grocery shop and cook the way I want to.” 

Q&A with Kay Schroven

Why did you originally join YWCA Minneapolis? 

I was living in New Jersey, and I wanted to be closer to my aging parents. I had visited before, and I thought the Twin Cities had plenty of career options and a better housing market. It made sense at the time.  

I knew very few people in Minneapolis, but I had a very good friend here, and she belonged to YWCA Minneapolis. The price and the location were right. I gave it a whirl and never left.  

YWCA Minneapolis didn’t initially help me make connections or build a social network because I worked a lot. I worked in the legal field, and the hours were...many. As one of my bosses said, judges don’t wait. I was always on the clock, so I was lucky to get in here.  

Now that I’m retired, I have met people and have casual friendships here. I feel comfortable at YWCA Minneapolis. It’s convenient and I value my health. 

Do you have a favorite memory, class or staff member from your time here? 

Two people make coming here a pleasure: Linda and Doug. They are both in the right jobs for their personalities. A friendly face in the morning. Anything you need, they’re there. It’s a warm, friendly atmosphere.  

One thing I really like, YWCA Minneapolis is not body beautiful. I’ve been to some of the clubs around the Cities. They’re shiny and nice and everything. When I was younger, it was kind of a pick-up scene, and you had to wear the right clothes. Here, nobody cares. People come here to work out, not show off. There’s something about that, especially as I age, that I find really comforting. No pretense here, you get everything.  

How has YWCA Minneapolis impacted your personal health and well-being? 

YWCA Minneapolis has kept me active, even in the winter and especially during stressful times. I’m here almost every morning. You bump into people you know and have a cup of coffee. It’s a diverse community from young to old and everything in between, from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  

At 70, I think I’m healthier than I was at 60 and 50 because I come here and I do what I need to do. I have time to plan my menus, grocery shop and cook the way I want to. I sleep better because I don’t have to get up at 6 a.m. put on a suit and high heels.  

Tell us about your experience working with YWCA Minneapolis 

I did some consulting work for YWCA Minneapolis in the late 80s or early 90s. My manager at the time was the head of the YWCA Minneapolis Board of Directors. She thought I would be a good candidate to help, so she gave me a leave of absence.  

I worked with the executive director and other managers, particularly in Human Resources. We did some reorganizing, looked at budgets and improved the benefits package, particularly for families. We made some financial improvements and did leadership and management training.  

It was both challenging and rewarding. We got some really good things done and good people in place. It was educational for me, because at that point I had little experience with not-for-profits. It was a whole different way of thinking and relating to people. 

What advice would you give to someone considering joining YWCA Minneapolis today? 

I live alone. Getting out of the house is important. It can get really isolated, especially in the winter.  

YWCA Minneapolis has a welcoming and inclusive environment. People are helpful and accepting. It has a lot to offer in terms of options for what you do while you are here.  

There was a period when I would just come here and sit and think about what I was going to do. Sometimes I would proceed and do things, other times, I’d just sit here and read a book or the news.  

Thank You, Kay! 

We are deeply grateful for members like Kay. Over nearly four decades, she has been more than a participant—she’s been a consultant, a volunteer and a community builder. 

Thank you, Kay, for showing us what lifelong commitment and community mean as we celebrate 25 years of YWCA Minneapolis Midtown.