Courtney covers the age gamut in mission at Salt Fork YMCA

Angie Courtney never dreamed she'd grow up to work at the Salt Fork YMCA, but she credits God with having a plan that led her there. [Click to enlarge]

For someone fairly young in age, Angie Courtney displays an aura of wisdom that lies beyond her years. Talk with Courtney for five minutes and you quickly come to see why.

In her work at the Salt Fork YMCA as youth and family program director, she has been blessed with an opportunity to work with some Marshall "Active Older Adults" who have obviously imparted some of their vast amount of wisdom on Courtney.

"I love working with youth and I love working for adults," she said. "Something I found in this job is that it's kind of like working with the same group because both of them just love people and are just looking for someone to show them attention. That's what we do at the YMCA."

Courtney grew up in a small town near Skidmore and jokes about how small her high school was.

"I'm from a small town called Maitland," she said. "There were 120 kids -- total, in my high school ... a town of 312."

A 1996 graduate of Missouri Valley College with a bachelor's degree in human service administration and recreation management, Courtney said that although she thoroughly enjoys her job, she didn't envision herself doing what she is now.

"I think everybody, as a youngster, probably dreams about doing something and I think God has a plan for each of us and we have to let him work through us ... we really do," she said. "I would have never thought I was going to be working at a YMCA doing the things I'm doing now."

Now that she has found her calling, though, Courtney is enjoying every moment and said the greatest source of satisfaction comes from those she works so closely with.

"What I love best about my job is being a part of someone's life that I get to see change and grow spiritually and physically," she said. "I think our YMCA is one of the most unique and prosperous YMCAs out there because we really do care about people. It's not about the number, it's about, 'What's going on in your day-to-day life? How's your spouse doing? Have you met your fitness goals? Are you OK, you haven't been here for awhile.'"

"As far as my future, I think that's really up to God and I'm going to have to continue to let him lead me," she said. "I feel like I'm not done doing my work in Marshall and I'm continuing to spread my wings and grow every day. I'm really quite content right where I'm at, so I'll just see what God has planned for me. But right now I'm happy."

Courtney also said that working with both youths and older adults, she sees how much each generation needs the other.

"I see a great connection in the future where our Active Older Adults can maybe mentor our youth," Courtney said. "I think it's so important to teach the kids values and get them off the couch and out of the house to share their gifts with other people."

Contact Eric Coley at

marshallfaith@socket.net