Celebrate Healthy Kids Day at the Y and Get Ready to Take on Summer

At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we know that when the school ends, many kids lose exposure to the activities that keep them moving and learning. The YMCA of Central Ohio is committed to ensuring that all kids have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. 

Getting kids to step away from the computer, video games and mobile devices to engage in physical activity can be a challenge – especially during the summer.  Today, nearly one and three children is either overweight or obese.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity for children helps build healthy bones, muscles, controls weight, reduces anxiety and stress, and helps increase self-esteem.  In some cases, regular activity may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  Research further shows that without access to activities that stimulate the mind and body, kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months.

With summer less than two months away, there is no time like the present to get moving and engaged in physical activity.  To help parents begin thinking about what activities will motivate their kids to become active, the Y is celebrating Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  Healthy Kids Day, the largest health day of its kind in the nation, is an initiative of the Y to improve the well-being of kids. In celebration, more than 1900 Ys across the nation will be hosting free community events filled with fun, active play and educational opportunities to help parents plan activities for their children this summer.

As our nation’s leading nonprofit, we are dedicated to youth development and to addressing issues that impact our communities.  The YMCA of Central Ohio is proud to participate in the Y’s Healthy Kids Day and will feature a number of youth inspired activities at various YMCA locations throughout the city.  Some of the activities will run until May 4, 2012.  For a complete listing of  Healthy Kids Day activities, visit ymcacolumbus.org.

YMCA Launches New Program for Adults 50+

According to a report released by the Center for Disease and Prevention on aging, it is projected that by 2015, one in five adults will be between the ages of 50-64.  By the time adults reach this age group, 70 percent will be diagnosed with at least one chronic condition and nearly half of this population will have two or more. The resulting disease or disability may impact their ability to carry out the multiple roles they play in their lives.  Despite these statistics,there is good news.  Its never too late to jump start healthier aging, no matter what one's lifestyle choices up to now have been.  National experts believe that prevention and early detection is key to delaying the onset or identifying diseases in their most treatable stage.  Despite accessibility of these services, they remain underutilized.

Most recently the YMCA partnered with Pfizer to create a new initiative -- 50 Moving Forward.  This new program is designed to improve the health and well-being for adults 50 and older. 50 Moving Forward, at the Grove City YMCA, empowers adults 50 and older with the support, community, and tools they need to make healthier lifestyle choices, engage in preventive health measures, and achieve personal health goals.

Staying true to its name, 50 Moving Forward encourages adults to live a healthy life that allows them to look forward to and move forward with maintaining health and wellness as they age. Grove City YMCA will give members and non-members of the community an opportunity to make healthy improvements with their eating habits, physical activity, personal health, and community interaction by:

• Providing easy tips and resources to support their health and wellness.
• Motivating them to make personal health and well-being a priority and helping reduce the risk of disease and other health conditions with small changes in their everyday lives.
• Encouraging them to take measures to prevent disease, such as screenings and vaccinations.
• Asking then to share with friends and loved ones the things they're "looking forward to" in life

The Grove City YMCA will offer both offline and online resources to 50 Moving Forward participants, so they can customize the program to fit their individual needs. Participants can enjoy a variety of wellness classes like Zumba Gold, Pilates and Walk with a Doc, Healthy Happy Hours on Fridays, fishing and weekly newsletters, tips, and assessments, among other resources.

50 Moving Forward will officially launch on Monday, April 16, 2012 and the site is scheduled to go live at that time.  To sign up, click here.  For more information contact:

Grove City YMCA

3600 Discovery Drive

Grove City, OH  43123

614.871.9622

Every child is of Promise!

Over the last few weeks there has much spirited debate and discussion about Trayvon Martin – a young African American boy killed on February 26, 2012 in Florida.  While we do not know the full details of the case, the tragic events of that evening have stimulated conversation about race and social injustice in communities across the nation, including our Y.

In the wake of this young man’s death, there has been a tremendous amount of support for the family and outrage concerning the circumstances.  As a father of a multi-racial family, Trayvon’s death resonated with me.  Like many parents, I could not help to think, “What if this was my son?”  Although, we cannot possibly imagine the grief Trayvon’s family is enduring --one thing is for certain, this young person’s death has challenged some to examine their own perceptions and has motivated others to unite in taking a stand against the social injustices many continue to face in our country. 

As the leader of a diverse organization, I am reminded of the rich history and legacy of the YMCA movement over the past 160 years.  Since its inception, the Y has been a strong advocate and beacon of hope across thousands of communities in our nation.  The YMCA movement has played an integral part in the history of the African-American struggle for process and equality.  In 1853, just 10 years before slavery was abolished in the United States, the first YMCA for African-Americans was established in Washington D.C.  The “YMCA for Colored Men and Boys,” offered African-American men and boys an opportunity to receive a formal education and vocational training at a time when segregation yet existed in our country.

Today, diversity takes on an expanded meaning through culture, religion, lifestyle, race, style of dress, body type, and family makeup.  Yet the notion of judging others has never been more evident.  Children are bullied relentlessly for being different.  The suicide rate amongst gay teens is reaching an all- time high and children, who religious cultures are reflected in their dress, are often singled out and shunned in mainstream groups.  At the Y, we believe that there are no throw away kids…every child is of promise.

Our community needs a voice. The YMCA of Central Ohio proudly stands up to its responsibility to support diversity and inclusion across all fronts, welcoming all who enter our doors, participate in our programs or are cared for through YMCA services. 

The Y is a powerful and inclusive association of men, women, and children from all walks of life.  We are joined together by a shared commitment to nurture the potential of every child and teen, improve our community’s health and well-being and to supporting our neighbors.  As parents and leaders, we must remain vigilant in confronting social injustice in our community so that no child has to live in fear.

In his famous speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”  We understand that in order to achieve the social change Dr. King spoke of, we must all work together.  Today the YMCA remains even more devoted to our cause of strengthening communities, to ensuring that that everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. 

As you reflect upon the death of Trayvon Martin and others who have been unfairly discriminated against or judged for something so simple as a hoodie, I challenge you to take inventory of your own personal bias and to have the courage and strength to stand with the YMCA in leading our community forward and in using your own voice to protect our children of promise.

Yours in Y spirit,

Andrew A. Roberts

President

YMCA of Central Ohio