April Member Profile: Jiao Family
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Joy Jiao and her family, sons 5 and 3, moved to Midland in 2019 and joined the Greater Midland Community Center shortly after their move. "Our family thrives at the center!" says Joy. "With long Michigan winters we plan ahead and utilize all the exciting programs the Community Center offers. The 'cabin fever' months have been very productive months for our entire family. We have learned so many new skills and sports." Joy loves how the Community Center not only supports her children in thoughtful ways but her as well.
"When my youngest son was a baby, it was so refreshing to drop him off in the caring hands of Kid's Corner staff and enjoy a quick yoga class and sauna by myself! Even just 1-2 hours of 'me time' helped a great deal in healthy parenting."
Joy and her family enjoy swimming and gymnastics classes, Family Fun Nights, Jungle Gym and more at the Community Center. "My older son Tango is a natural at swimming -- it's fun to see how he becomes a fish in the Oasis! My husband, the 'sporty' kind, uses the track, gym and the ping-pong areas very often; while myself, the 'not-so-sporty' kind, enjoys yoga and swimming whenever possible. Fun Fact, my husband and I were ballroom dance partners back in graduate school, and we never thought we'd find a regularly available dance floor after leaving our university. But Blast from the Past in the 50+ center did it!
They let us in despite our age, as the passion for music and dance is ageless. There's truly something at the Center for everybody!"
Joy thinks the Greater Midland Community Center is important because it is a crucial component of making Midland a family-friendly town. The Community Center sparks and nurtures a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, for the entire Jiao family. The Jiaos cannot wait for the new Community Center building to open. They are excited for the open floor plan reducing the endless hallways, eco-friendliness and multifunctionality of the building.
