It is with great sadness that the YMCA of Central Florida announces the passing of one of our strongest advocates for youth, Tracey Sullivan.
As a 43-year volunteer leader with the YMCA Christian Values Conference and other pivotal Y programs, Tracey nurtured the faith, values, and potential of thousands of teens, all of whom she considered “her kids.”
In doing what she loved most, Tracey led groups of high-school students to the Y’s annual Christian Values Conference in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as to state and national YMCA Youth in Government activities. She also established a teen values retreat at the Y’s Camp Wewa, which is offered each winter.
A former Lake Brantley high school teacher, Tracey said that teens held a special place in her heart: “My passion and compassion is with teenagers. It’s a tough age. They want to talk about what they think, what they feel and what they believe in, but they’re not always listened to. The Y is here for teens when they need us most.”
To ensure that all youth, regardless of their ability to pay, have the opportunity to attend the YMCA Christian Values Conference, Tracey and her husband, Tim, established the Tracey and Tim Sullivan Endowment Fund in 2014.
This summer ─ during Tracey’s 43rd year of helping lead the conference ─ she was honored with the Y’s first annual Tracey Sullivan Award, which recognizes outstanding volunteers who make this life-changing week possible. Looking on were many former teens, now successful adults, whom she once mentored.“Tracey Sullivan’s deep personal faith and trust in the Y mission have inspired generations of young people to grow up stronger, healthier and better,” said Dan Wilcox, YMCA of Central Florida President/CEO. “We are humbled and grateful that Tracey chose to make a difference through the Y. And we offer our deepest sympathy to Tim and her family during this difficult time.”