Doma Finds New Home at The Y!

As the old advertisement goes, before Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the world, he was just another kid at the Y. No one will ever know what the Y did for MLK—help with confidence, provide community, exercise body and mind? And now, in 2012, the Y may be doing something just as great to the people of this country—they house Freedom a la Cart—a social enterprise which teaches survivors of sex trafficking job and nutrition skills. The problem is that while survivors of trafficking have legendary loyalty and terrific work ethic, they have never kept a schedule, managed money, or worked in a job where they weren’t beaten and controlled. The rest of us grew up watching our parents’ careers, got our first jobs at 16, blew our first paychecks on cute jeans and music for driving fast. We messed up and learned work skills eventually. But survivors of sex trafficking didn’t do much of any of that, and they have kids to support and lives to create. After two years of great recovery with the likes of Amethyst, Maryhaven, Southeast and CATCH court, they are ready for the world. But they don’t have the work skills necessary to find, secure a job, let alone a career.

Doma—our little non-profit, doma means ‘home’ in many languages—saw this missing link to success in life, and we started our business. But it was homeless, just like our ladies; we cooked out of a bar, out of church kitchens, desperate for a kitchen we could afford, we searched for months. I know there is a cart-before-the-horse analogy here, but I’m watching my word count.

And here came the Y, marching down the street to help us so much, giving us a beautiful kitchen, an ice machine, making everything clean and lovely. And how have we repaid them? We’ve been late for two catering events. We showed up at one with thirty beautiful salads and no forks. Growing pains, being new to the business, working with an unskilled staff in a new space. We thank the Y by inspiring them to flex their patience muscles. Now we have an expediter, a work-list and checklist for every event, a timeline. Through the Y’s generosity, we are learning the skills that will keep Freedom alive—which is crucial for the well-being of our ladies. Everyone needs job skills, and o how the ladies love being a part of this life.

So right now, in many ways, Freedom is just another scrubby kid at the Y. But ten survivors of sex trafficking have the first job they can trust in their entire lives. And twenty more survivors know that when they are ready to work, Freedom and the Y are here for them. Even women in jail as I write this (yes, survivors of sex trafficking are often in jail—it’s a long story, call me) have been told while in shackles and tears there is legal and sustaining work for them when they are free—the relief and wonder in their faces make my life whole.

But this is just the beginning! What if every major city had social enterprise for survivors of trafficking? What if Cause Cuisine blossoms all over the country? What if women who have been shackled for a living have a chance at Freedom? The Y has many, many commercial kitchens! But we will start small and remember the forks, learn to keep an eye on the time.

So, what is the Y doing for women survivors of trafficking? It is immeasurable as the sea and strong as the sky. All we can do is say, thank you.

Kae Denino
US Project Coordinator
doma USA/Freedom a la Cart
Guest Blogger

Early Detection Can Save Your Life!

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month.  It is a time set aside to increase awareness about this important issue.  The American Cancer Society estimates that this year, more than 240,000 new case of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.  Nearly 30,000 men will die of prostate cancer.  Roughly 1 in 6 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime (1 and 7 in Canada). 

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in American men.  Despite these statistics, there is hope.  With early detection and treatment men can live happy, healthy and long lives.  In fact, more than 2.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

 

Typically, prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men.  In fact, nearly two thirds are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older and it is rare before age 40.  The average age at the time is diagnosis is 67.  At the age of 49, Dan Hennessey was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  With the help of early treatment and detection, the support of his physician, family and community, Dan is cancer-free today. 

During his prostate cancer journey, Dan began to write as way to express his thoughts and feelings about his prognosis.  His writings evolved into a book, “With the Snap of a Glove,” in which he shares the vulnerable, human side of prostate cancer and its impact on relationships in his life.  A Canadian resident, Dan considers prostate cancer a global issue and is determined to spread his message all over the world. 

Passionate about creating awareness, Dan contacted the YMCA of Central Ohio recently to share his story and to ask for our support promoting awareness about early detection and treatment.   Across the nation and in countries all over the world, the Y is a leading force on health and well-being.  At the Y, we believe that practicing and supporting healthy lifestyles means more than just simply being active.  It’s about maintaining a balanced spirit, mind and body.  We are also committed to creating awareness about important issues that impact our community.

Recognizing the impact prostate cancer has on families, Dan created a video to encourage dialogue between teens and their parents and to promote awareness to a new generation.  We hope this video will help stimulate dialogue in your homes about this preventable disease.  More importantly, we hope that it will help to save a life.

Thank you Dan for sharing your journey with us, and we hope that it will inspire you!

 

 

 

 

The Y tackles Childhood Obesity!

 

September is designated as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) childhood obesity has more than tripled over the past 30 years.  Nationally, more than 23 million children and teens are obese or overweight.  For African American and Hispanic children the rates are much higher.

Childhood obesity has immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Studies show that children that are overweight or obese are more likely to be at risk for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Obese children are also more likely to at risk of developing type 2 prediabetes and be at greater risk for developing bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and experience issues with poor self-esteem. Long-term, children and teens who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and more susceptible to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and osteoarthritis.

Healthy lifestyle habits, including making healthier food choices and increasing physical activity, can help reduce the risk of childhood obesity and other related diseases. As a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility the YMCA of Central Ohio offers the following tips to help families in Central Ohio incorporate regular physical activity and healthy eating into their lives.

Eat Healthy: Make water the drink of choice (supplemented by 100 percent fruit juices and low-fat milk) and have fruits and vegetables available at every meal. Snack time should include foods that contain whole grains and lean protein instead of saturated and trans fats.

Play Every Day/Go Outside: Kids and adults should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) with children having a goal to obtain 300 minutes of physical activity per week.  Just starting out, start small with 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Get Together: At least once a day families should dine together, with kids involved in meal preparation and clean up. In addition, adults should spend one-on-one time each day with their kids.

Reduce Screen Time: Time spent in front of a television, computer, cell phone and video game should be limited to two hours per day.

Sleep Well: Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule—10-12 hours per night for kids and seven to eight hours for adults.

For more information on how your family can live a healthy, active life, visit ymcacolumbus.org/health-well-being-fitness

Achieve Balance at the Y!

Serving families has always been at the heart of the Y. With school now back in session, kids (and parents) often find themselves consumed with balancing rigorous schedules. Our desire is to provide opportunities for families to build stronger bonds, achieve greater work/life/school balance and stay engaged with each other and their communities.

This school year, The Y wants to make sure that parents and kids have the tools necessary to live a healthy and balanced life. Below are some tips for healthy eating and physical activity:

1. Start your day off with breakfast. Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired and irritable. Breakfast is a great way to give the body the refuel it needs. Studies show that kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier and are more likely to participate in physical activities (Source: www.kidshealth.org).

2. Get active and moving! On average, children and teens spend an estimated seven hours a day engaged in some form of media. This trend has contributed to increased rates of childhood obesity. Studies show that by decreasing screen time and increasing physical activity helps to kids maintain a healthy weight, improve psychological well-being and help kids gain more self-confidence. More importantly, physical activity helps to increase life expectancy rates  (Source: www.medpagetoday.com).

3. Make healthier food choices. Grabbing dinner out or at a fast food restaurant is often easier than cooking at home. Often these foods, although convenient, are loaded with high calories and fat content. Preparing healthy meals in advance is a great way to save money and control what your child consumes.

4. Eat together! Mealtime is a great time to talk to your kids about what’s going on in their lives. In fact, studies show that the more families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, use drugs and engage in other negative behaviors. Eating together as a family also helps to promote healthy food choices  (Source: www.time.com)

5. Include physical activities in family time. Our busy schedules often keep us from spending quality time with our families. One of the ways to change this is to plan activities with the entire family. Instead of watching TV, try spending time at the park, going for a walk or participating in a family fun activity at the Y!

Though life can be hectic and unpredictable, one thing remains certain – the Y is, and always will be dedicated to building healthy, confident, secure and connect children, families and communities.

Experience family time at the Y! http://ymcacolumbus.org/family-time

After the Bell...Discover the Y!

This weekend marks the end of summer for most kids as they return to school next week.  After the bell rings at the end of the school day, children and teens need a safe and nurturing place to go until their parents return home from work.  In Ohio, 30 percent of K-12 youth are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. and are responsible for taking care of themselves. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y offers quality after school programs that not only help youth learn, grow and thrive, but keep them safe and surrounded by caring adults.   

Combining play with academics, the Y’s after school programs fill gaps in schools and in the Central Ohio area by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition. Youth in the YMCA of Central Ohio's after school program receive an educational based curriculum, which includes a school literacy program and homework assistance.  Our programs not only keep children and teens safe but engaged in fun and productive activities.

Studies show that youth who participate in after school programs demonstrate increased school attendance, academic performance and develop skills such as problem-solving, team building, negotiation and critical thinking.  Additionally, after school programs help to reduce achievement gaps among children from disadvantaged households. It’s also a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends.

Enroll your child or teen today! ymcacolumbus.org

This Saturday, August 11th has been designated by the global organization, Kids for Peace as a day of kindness.  It’s one day out of the year that kids all over the world are encouraged to perform small acts of kindness.  This year, the YMCA of Central Ohio has joined other organizations around the world to participate in the The Great Kindness Challenge.  Instead of doing just one day, we have decided to dedicate an entire week for our YMCA campers to perform good deeds for others in our community. 

Over the next week leading up to our annual Spirit Day on August 17^th, more than 1,000 Y campers will be performing as many good deeds they can complete within the week.  One of their acts of kindness will be to write notes of gratitude to our military for their service to our country.  The kids that complete 20 or more acts of kindness will be recognized on Spirit Day.

There are many ways for your kids to participate in The Great Kindness Challenge.  It can be as simple as smiling at 25 people, hosting a lemonade stand and donating proceeds to someone in need or even sending a card to a military family.   For a list of more acts of kindness, click here!

If you decide to participate, please be sure to post photos or share stories on our Facebook or Twitter pages.  

Nurturing the Potential of Every Child

Like millions across the country, we have been glued to our television sets watching in anticipation in who will capture the gold.  One of the many raising stars of the 2012 Olympics has been Gabby Douglas. 

Recently, Gabby made history and shattered world records in becoming the first African-American and first woman of color to win the individual all-around champion.  She also became the first American gymnast to win the gold medal in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics.  What's most impressive has been her journey to the 2012 Olympics.  At a young age, her mother recognized and nurtured her potential. 

At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe that all kids should have the opportunity be active and discover who they are and what they can achieve.  We believe that all kids have great potential and we are committed to helping them achieve their goals and aspirations. Gabby Douglas is an example of just that!  We are proud of her and everyone representing the United States in the 2012 Olympics!

Here is Gabby’s story, we hope that it will inspire you!  Who knows, your child may be a future Olympian.....Go Team USA!

Celebrate the 2012 Olympic Summer Games at the Y!

On Saturday, July 28^th millions around the world will be tuned in to watch the best athletes from 200 countries from around the world compete for the gold! 

Our First Lady Michelle Obama has been selected to lead the U.S. Delegation to the 2012 Olympic Games.  In celebration, she is calling on families across the nation to not only support Team USA in cheering for our athletes, but to get active in our own communities in participating in “Olympic-inspired” events.

Whether it’s gathering friends and family members together to head over to your neighborhood YMCA for a pool relay race, hula-hoop competition or a pick-up game on the basketball court, we just want you to find an activity that inspires you to move and have fun! 

The YMCA of Central Ohio and First Lady Michelle Obama would love to hear what you have planned this weekend so if you follow us on Twitter, use  hashtags #LetsMoveDay and #YCBUS.

You can also share your fun event with us by “Liking” and sharing updates on our Facebook Fan page - YMCA of Central Ohio.  You can also join in on the nationwide discussion by “Liking” and sharing updates on the Let’s Move Facebook Fan page.

Join us in helping our children get active, live healthier lives and strive for excellence like their Olympic heroes!

Go Team USA!!!

Changing Lives at the Y!

In the United States, nearly 26 million individuals are impacted by diabetes and since 2000, the percentage of Ohioans diagnosed with diabetes has increased to 37%. It is estimated that approximately 7 million in the U.S. are currently undiagnosed. Those with diabetes will lose an average of 10 to 15 years of their potential life span and the cost of treating this disease continues to soar to unprecedented heights.

In Ohio, more than 3 million adults have prediabetes, which means a person’s blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but their condition has not evolved into diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in people with prediabetes through effective lifestyle programs. In Central Ohio, more than 360,000 individuals have been identified for being at risk of prediabetes or diabetes. 

Across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and wellness. At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe that in order to bring about meaningful change, individuals need ongoing support. One of the ways we are changing lives is through our YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. This program helps those at high risk adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is based on research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which showed that by eating healthier food, increasing physical activity and losing a small amount of weight 5% to 9%, a person with prediabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. 

Since 2010, we have been providing this program at our Y’s and at various employer locations. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions, followed up by monthly sessions in a classroom setting and are facilitated by a lifestyle coach. Participants learn about healthy eating, physical activity and other behavior changes over the course of the program. Topics range from being a fat detective, overcoming stress to increasing motivation to lead a healthier lifestyle.

To date more than 500 individuals have enrolled in the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. Over 250 participants have successfully completed the program and currently 270 remain actively engaged. On average, participants in the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program have lost 6% of their body weight by the last weekly session and tracked 96 minutes of physical weekly activity.

In 2011, David Leslie participated in an employer health screening event where he had his A1c level tested. The A1c test is a commonly used to identify persons at risk for or diagnose a person with type 2 diabetes. The test is also used to gauge how well an individual is managing their diabetes. Although David was working diligently to improve his eating habits, his test still came back with a score of 5.9, identifying him as a person with prediabetes. Determined to change his fate, David joined the Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA of Central Ohio.

Since joining the program, David has learned ways to reduce and eliminate high fat foods from his diet.  Additionally, he has learned how to be consistent about making healthier lifestyle choices. This past May, David had his A1C tested again and for the first time in seven years his A1c was normal and for the first time in 10 years weighed less than 250 pounds. He credits his success to the support he received at the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program.

David is just one of the many success stories of the program. To learn more about the YMCA of Diabetes Prevention Program visit http://ymcacolumbus.org/diabetes.

Caroline Rankin   
Guest Contributor
Director of Government Funding and Diabetes Program
YMCA of Central Ohio

                                                                                                                  

                                                                                  

Safe Summer Splashing!

Are you heading out to the pool this Fourth of July holiday and over the summer months ???  

We want to remind you to practice as many water safety tips as possible.  You can enjoy the benefits of swimming AND make safety a top priority.

Water safety is something we all should be concerned about all year and not just during the summer months.  It only takes a minute or inches of water for a small child to drown, so taking extra steps at home and around pools can help reduce incidents of drowning.

To increase awareness about water safety, the YMCA has partnered up with Pool Safely to provide important tips to help keep your child safe this summer and throughout the year.  Here are helpful tips to keep children safe.

At pools, spas and other recreational waters:

• Never leave a child unattended around a pool, spa, bathtub or any body of water.
• Teach children basic water safety skills.
• Have a telephone close by at all times when visiting a pool or spa.
• If a child is missing, look for them in the pool or spa first, including neighbor’s pools or spas.
• Share safety instructions with family, friends, babysitters and neighbors.

If you have a pool:

• If you have a pool at home, install a 4-foot fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa, including portable pools.
• Install a pool or door alarm.
• Use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask neighbors to do the same if they have pools or spas.
• Have lifesaving equipment such as life rings, floats or a reaching pole available and easily accessible.

At home:

• Always keep a young child within arm’s reach in a bathtub.  If you leave, take the child with you.
• Never leave a baby or youth child in a bathtub under the care of another young child.
• Never leave a bucket or basin containing even a small amount of liquid unattended.  Always empty and store buckets where young children cannot reach them.
• Consider placing locks on toilet seat covers in case a young child wanders into the bathroom.

To learn more about how to keep children safe visit:

http://www.poolsafely.gov/.  To enroll your child in swim lesson visit http://ymcacolumbus.org/swim-lessons.

Happy Independence Day and remember to keep water safety a priority this summer!

Elissa James
Metropolitan Aquatics Director

YMCA of Central Ohio

Guest contributor