Lake Co. YMCA helps man turn life around

You could say Phil Bryd is a new man in more ways than one. From gang-banger hooked on cocaine in the inner city of Chicago, to about to be ordained as a deacon, he has done a complete reversal.

“I've been shot three times and have had a knife cut across my throat. I came to Lake County, homeless, at first, to change my life through treatment. I've been clean for nine years recently.”

And thanks to the Lake County Family YMCA over the last three years, he lost 115 pounds by using an elliptical trainer, got his cholesterol levels back to normal and no longer is pre-diabetic. He joined the YMCA on a YMCA scholarship for which he is grateful.

“The Y helped save my life . . . It's a great, safe atmosphere. There's fellowship, camaraderie and a common goal.”

Now, with the support of Bishop E. James Logan, Bryd wants to give back. He will be ordained a deacon Sept. 4 in Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Zion.

“I believe God wants me to preach about obesity, which is a prevalent problem within the African-American community. Sometimes in the church community, you hear things like, `I'm not doing drugs, drinking or smoking, so let's go to the buffet.'”

“I am trying to be part of the solution – not the problem,” he said. “You can change. It's up to you.” Bryd is looking forward to another change in his life, marriage to Charolette.

We say the community is fortunate to have a new deacon who can be an ambassador for healthy living.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills,