Meet the Marlins!

Last week, the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA Marlins swim team made its debut.  It was exciting to witness nine children participate in their first swim meet.  On that day, the kids arrived early to observe how the swim meet was set up, to know what the four swim strokes included and the rules of competitive swimming.

As the Marlins assembled, I noticed that as they interacted with one another, their parents started to join in.  While waiting for their competitive event, the team members played cards and spent time catching up with one another, and discussing their goals for the day.

 

As the start of the meet grew near, swim team staff addressed the teams to let them know that they were expected to do their best and to have fun.  When it came time for the Marlins to compete, we walked with them down to the 

starting blocks and stood, waited for them to take their positions.

The starting time finally came!  We watched with excitement as team members began to swim; the entire pool deck cheering them on.  Parents, staff and members of the team were encouraging each child to stay the course and finish the race.  What touched me the most is how each child completed this event with determination.  When the kids emerged from the pool, the timers and officials greeted them with smiles and high fives, letting the team know they did a great job.

Although our Marlins came in last at their first meet, it was great to see the excitement and determination each child displayed during the tournament.  It was also inspiring to see the encouragement from the parents, staff and the other teams.

At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we are committed to helping children be safe around water and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning something new.  Through swimming, children can learn skills that can encourage lifelong habits to lead a healthier lifestyle.  They can also learn discipline, increase self-confidence and develop problem-solving skills which can translate into successes in the classroom.  Activities like swimming can also teach our youth positive sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for others.

To learn how your child can be a part of a YMCA swim team or learn to swim, please visit ymcacolumbus.org.

Yours in Y Spirit,

Kim L. Jordan  
Vice President, District Operations 
Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA

Celebrating and Supporting Fathers!

More than a century ago, Sonora Louis Smart Dodd aspired to create a holiday to honor fathers.  The daughter of a single father and Civil War veteran was inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon she heard in church and wondered why there was no holiday to honor fathers.  After securing support from ministers in Spokane, Washington, her idea came to fruition on June 19, 1910.

On Sunday, June 17, the YMCA of Central Ohio joins the nation in celebrating Father’s Day and recognizing the impact father and adult male role models make in children’s lives.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one out of three children lives in a home without a biological father.  Additionally, societal factors such as unemployment, work-life balance or lack of resources can affect a father’s ability to adequately provide support for their family and be more fully engaged in the lives of their children.

Studies show that children with close relationships with their fathers and other adult male role models have more self-confidence and exhibit less depression, perform better academically and engage in significantly less drug and alcohol use. 

The YMCA of Central Ohio believes that family bonds are a foundation of strong communities, and we work to help all families feel confident, connected and secure.  The Y offers a variety of resources for fathers to involve themselves in the well-being and development of their children.  We offer a number of fun, family focused activities such as Family Camp, Family Nights, and Family Wellness Programs to help build stronger bonds, achieve greater work/life balance, and become more engaged with their communities.

There is nothing more special or important than my role as a father.  Being able to spend time with my family is one of the highlights of my day.  There is no substitute for spending time with my children during family dinner or attending their sporting events.  As I reflect on this day, I am reminded of the impact my father had on me.  When I was 14 years old, my father passed away at the age of 60 due to a preventable illness – heart disease.  As a proud father, there is nothing more important than for me to be in good health. 

In a recent article published by WebMD, the top five health concerns for men are heart disease, stroke, suicide resulting from depression, lung cancer and prostate cancer.  Many of the top causes for death are preventable, and can be treated, if detected early.

As you think about Father’s Day gifts, I ask that you consider the YMCA of Central Ohio in celebrating this day.  There is no greater gift than good health.  The Y provides opportunities for men and fathers to manage and prevent chronic disease to help them live a balanced, healthy and happy life.  I encourage you to visit our website ymcacolumbus.org to find out how we are helping men, women, children and families be happy, healthy and connected. 

Happy Father’s Day!

Yours in Y spirit,

Andrew A. Roberts

President 

YMCA of Central Ohio

Building Future Leaders

Graduation marks a very important and transitional time for many young people.  For some graduates, it is the beginning of a new and exciting journey.  For others they are the first graduates in their family.  Our youth face challenges in today’s world and through the YMCA Leaders Club program, we provide the building blocks to help them be successful and contributing members of their communities.

At the Y, we believe that you are never too young to lead.  The YMCA of Central Ohio is committed to nurturing the potential of every child.  Through the YMCA Leaders Club, we help teens gain the necessary skills and experience to guide them to be healthy, happy and connected adults.

Founded in 1885, Leaders Club has been instrumental in helping young people across the nation become future leaders in their communities.  Building upon the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, we provide opportunities for youth to develop skills in Leadership Development, Service to Others, Social Development and Personal Growth. 

The YMCA Leaders Club program is designed for 6 through 12th graders and provides opportunities them to meet new people, build relationships, learn valuable skills and to get involved in the community. 

One of our members, Benjamin “Frankie” White was involved in the YMCA Leaders Club since he was in seventh grade.  During his involvement, he has been able to make life long friends and lasting memories.  Most recently, Frankie completed his first year at St. John’s University, majoring in Sports Management.  He credits the YMCA Leaders Club for being a major influence in his life.  For the past two summers, Frankie has served as a YMCA camp counselor.  In fact, Frankie became the first Gahanna YMCA Leaders Club participant from the program to be employed at the Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA.

Virgil Hughes is a current YMCA Leader Club participant.  He has been actively involved in the program for the past 4 years.  Last year, Virgil was asked to speak at the Gahanna YMCA 2011 People Helping People annual breakfast. Currently, Vigil is an honor roll student at Gahanna Lincoln High School and a dedicated volunteer in his community.  Virgil credits his involvement in the YMCA Leaders Club for shaping his path toward leadership.  Although he is sad that this will be his last year in the program, he vows to remain actively involved in his community and with the Y.

These are just a few examples of how the YMCA Leaders Club has made a positive impact on our youth.  At the YMCA of Central Ohio we are believe that there are no throw away kids, but all kids are of promise. 

As graduates embark on the next chapter in their lives we hope that their YMCA Leaders Club experience has given them the skills and experience that will help them be strong leaders in their community. 

Congratulations to the 2012 graduates!

To learn more about YMCA Leaders Club visit: http://ymcacolumbus.org/education-leadership

Building a Healthier Future!

According to the CDC, approximately 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States are obese.  Children who are obese are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are factors in cardiovascular disease.  Additionally, these children may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, asthma and other preventable chronic diseases.

As the nation’s largest provider of early childcare and after school programs, we want to nurture the potential of all kids so that they can realize their full potential.  Locally, our commitment to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility compels us to take a leading role in ensuring that central Ohio children have access and opportunities to realize a healthier lifestyle.

Recently, the YMCA of the USA joined first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to adopt new standards for healthy eating and physical activity in early childcare and afterschool programs. Through these efforts and the Y’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, we are confident in our ability to affect this growing crisis amongst our youth.

The YMCA of Central Ohio is dedicated to reversing the trend of childhood obesity and chronic disease in our community.  By supporting the new healthy standards of the Let’s Move initiative, we are reducing rising health care costs and more importantly, helping our children live longer and healthier lives.  We are committed to establishing a minimum of expected activity for children involved in our programs, providing daily outdoor time, designating fruits and veggies as our snacks and providing water or lowfat milk. Additionally, we will assist parents at home, providing the educational resources they need for reduced screen time and enhanced family activity time. 

To learn more about our programs visit http://ymcacolumbus.org/child-care.  Together we can make a difference!