YMCA News Archive

YMCA Rings in the New Year with Health and Wellness Tips for All

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 13:21:46 +0000

YMCA Rings in the New Year with Health and Wellness Tips for All jeffrey.needham Tue, 12/26/2017 - 07:21

YMCA Rings in the New Year with Health and Wellness Tips for All

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, has several tips to help community members renew their commitment to health and wellness in 2018.

While setting a New Year’s resolution can be easy, sticking to it is often more challenging. A 2014 YMCA survey found that less than a quarter of respondents kept their resolutions, and many gave up within the first weeks of the new year.

“Reframing resolutions into small, manageable goals can lead to greater success,” explains Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “Lasting lifestyle changes are the result of many smaller changes – be kind to yourself throughout the process, and focus on the positive, healthy decisions you can make each day.”

Below are some additional tips Y experts recommend to help 2018 New Year’s resolutions stick.

Set realistic wellness goals.
- Attempting to make dramatic lifestyle changes all at once can add pressure and stress – making success less likely.
- Make small and achievable changes to reach your ultimate goal.
Pick the right environment.
- Choose a fitness facility that focuses on a holistic approach to health.
- Before committing to a membership, take a tour to find the best fit for you. Your facility should not be just a gym, but a community that keeps you motivated.
Stay connected.
- If you are struggling to meet your goals, connect with a personal trainer or other fitness specialist for guidance and support.
- Team up with a friend who has similar goals and work together to reach them. Set aside time to check in and catch up while working out.

Consider group exercise classes as a way to network with others who have similar goals. The YMCA offers a variety of classes for all ages, abilities and interests.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 161 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, seven overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 350,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds.

YMCA Holds 47th Annual Operation Holiday Baskets Event December 22 to Benefit Families in Need

jeffrey.needham — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 21:40:40 +0000

YMCA Holds 47th Annual Operation Holiday Baskets Event December 22 to Benefit Families in Need jeffrey.needham Wed, 12/20/2017 - 15:40

YMCA Holds 47th Annual Operation Holiday Baskets Event December 22 to Benefit Families in Need

Minneapolis, MN – The Blaisdell and Hiawatha sites of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will hold its 47th Annual Operation Holiday Baskets with Roosevelt High School on Friday, December 22.

The Blaisdell and Hiawatha Ys will work in partnership with Roosevelt High School staff and students to raise money and collect food donations in an effort to provide wholesome holiday meals to more than 300 families in need. Traditionally, students hold competitions in schools to collect food items, and Y branches collect items from members and staff. On December 22, the teams will come together to assemble and distribute the food baskets.

“The YMCA is proud to partner with our community to help those in need,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “We are excited to work with the staff and students at Roosevelt High School to continue this decades-long tradition of providing wholesome holiday meals for families in our community.”

WHO:
Blaisdell and Hiawatha YMCAs and Roosevelt High School

WHAT:
47th Annual Operation Holiday Baskets

WHERE:
Roosevelt High School Gymnasium
4029 S 28th Ave in Minneapolis, MN 55406

WHEN:
Friday, December 22, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Forest Lake YMCA Hosts Holiday Gift Drive and Community Potluck December 20

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 22:12:41 +0000

Forest Lake YMCA Hosts Holiday Gift Drive and Community Potluck December 20 jeffrey.needham Tue, 12/19/2017 - 16:12

Forest Lake YMCA Hosts Holiday Gift Drive and Community Potluck December 20

Forest Lake, MN – The Forest Lake YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host a gift drive and community potluck as part of its veterans outreach program on Wednesday, December 20.

The event is open to the community and will gather supplies to support the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. The Forest Lake YMCA’s veterans outreach program has been serving the community for one year and connects veterans to the community through resource fairs, educational sessions around health and wellness topics, community outings and events. The program has reached 300 veterans this year and has partnered with nearly a dozen community organizations.

“The YMCA strives to include all members of the community in its programming,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “The Forest Lake Y’s outreach to the veteran community has helped create a welcoming environment for all, and the holiday event will help provide even more support to those who have served our country.”

WHO:
YMCA Forest Lake with community groups supporting the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

WHAT:
Holiday gift drive and community potluck

WHERE:
YMCA Forest Lake at 19845 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake, MN 55025

WHEN:
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

YMCA Programs Strengthen Mind and Spirit

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 19:39:40 +0000

YMCA Programs Strengthen Mind and Spirit jeffrey.needham Tue, 12/12/2017 - 13:39

YMCA Programs Strengthen Mind and Spirit

An estimated 40 million adults in the United States live with anxiety disorders – and only one-third of these individuals receive treatment. Additionally, more than 16 million adults have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
According to a study by the American Institute of Stress, 77 percent of adults regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress and 73 percent experience psychological symptoms.
According to the American Psychological Association, research shows a connection between mood and exercise – for example, patients with major depressive disorder show greater rates of remission when they engage in regular exercise.

The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, provides holistic program offerings that connect and strengthen to improve mental, physical and spiritual health.

Studies show that millions of adults in the United States live with anxiety, depression, stress or other challenges. Investing in physical, mental and social self-care practices can help, and is especially important during the busy winter months with additional stressors and little daylight. The YMCA offers opportunities to build strength through activities like yoga and tai chi or groups like the Journey to Freedom program.

“The YMCA is committed to whole-life well-being,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO for the Y. “Physical, mental and spiritual wellness are all connected, and each can be strengthened at the Y in a variety of ways to meet the needs of each individual.”

Gunderson added that the YMCA’s team of health and wellness experts recommends the following self-care practices to build strength in body, mind and spirit:

Pay attention to nutrition and hydration to properly fuel the body
Make time for activities that keep your body and mind active
Commit to improving the quality and quantity of sleep
Enjoy relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi or meditation
Share time with friends

YMCA and community members also have the opportunity to strengthen their mental and spiritual health through the Journey to Freedom program. Journey to Freedom utilizes a small group setting to help participants explore areas of their lives they would like to change. Participants follow the book by Scott Reall and engage in a safe, supportive, caring and confidential environment. In addition to the base program, groups are available that focus on challenges like grief, body image or healthy living.

See how the Y offers opportunities for members of all ages to experience the benefits of exercise beyond physical health – YMCA Health and Wellness: Mind-Body Connection.

Discover how Grant has found support dealing with challenges like disability and depression through his YMCA small group – YMCA Journey to Freedom: Grant’s Story.

Learn how Diane has taken the lessons she learned as a participant in Journey to Freedom to help support others as a group facilitator – YMCA Journey to Freedom: Diane’s Story.

Because the Y is a leading nonprofit committed to helping all young people thrive, financial assistance is available to those in need. With the generous support of community members, the Y ensures that all have the opportunity to participate.

YMCA Explores Potential New Locations and Partnerships to Serve More People in West St. Paul and Surrounding Northern Dakota County

jeffrey.needham — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 19:00:00 +0000

YMCA Explores Potential New Locations and Partnerships to Serve More People in West St. Paul and Surrounding Northern Dakota County jeffrey.needham Thu, 12/07/2017 - 13:00

YMCA Explores Potential New Locations and Partnerships to Serve More People in West St. Paul and Surrounding Northern Dakota County

West St. Paul, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is exploring a number of locations and partnerships in the West St. Paul and surrounding northern Dakota County region to develop a new state-of-the-art YMCA that better serves the community for today and tomorrow.

The YMCA in West St. Paul is in discussions with a national retailer to determine if the Y’s current location would work for the retailer’s needs. For the national retailer to fully explore the YMCA in West St. Paul, the Y signed an agreement with the retailer. The agreement is contingent on the national retailer determining the site meets its needs and the Y finding a new location that will serve more people in the community.

“The Y is committed to providing high-quality facilities, services and programs that support the community as it changes and grows,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “The opportunity to have a state-of-the art facility in an optimal location will continue the great progress we have made by working together with the community to better serve the West St. Paul and northern Dakota County area.”

If the national retailer determines the YMCA in West St. Paul meets its needs and the YMCA finds a location for a new facility, the Y will inform members and the community in March 2018.

About the YMCA of the North