Temple Guard at YMCA of the Roses

My name is Mike Smith, and I have the privilege of serving as the Program Director for the Temple Guard Drill Team. For more than 20 years, this program has been a place where young people come to find direction, discipline, and a sense of belonging.

Every week, I watch youth from kindergarten through high school walk through our doors carrying different experiences and challenges. Some are looking for structure. Some are looking for confidence. Many are simply looking for a place where they feel seen and supported. Temple Guard meets them where they are and helps them grow into who they can become.

Through military-style marching and drum line, our participants learn focus, discipline, and teamwork. But what happens beyond the drills is what matters most. We talk about respect for themselves and for others. We talk about making strong decisions, resisting negative influences, and setting goals that push them forward. We reinforce the importance of education and encourage every participant to achieve passing grades and take pride in their progress.

Our young people are not just learning routines. They are building character. They are developing leadership skills. They are becoming role models in their schools, in their families, and in their neighborhoods.

We are also intentional about expanding their world. Many of our participants have limited opportunities to travel or experience life outside their immediate environment. Through Temple Guard, they have the chance to take trips, perform, and see new places, helping them imagine a future that is bigger than what they see every day.

This program is built on relationships. Our team provides consistent, caring adult mentors who show up, set expectations, and believe in each young person’s potential. That consistency changes lives.

Your support through Give Local York makes this possible. It helps us provide a safe and welcoming space, offer meaningful experiences, and ensure that every young person who wants to participate has the opportunity, regardless of their background or financial situation.

When you give, you are investing in young people who are working hard to lead, to grow, and to create a better future for themselves and their community.

Thank you for being part of their journey and making our work possible.