YMCA News Archive

YMCA Gathering Provides Education, Enrichment and Engagement at State’s Largest Event for Adults Ages 65 and Up October 7

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:57:34 +0000

YMCA Gathering Provides Education, Enrichment and Engagement at State’s Largest Event for Adults Ages 65 and Up October 7 jeffrey.needham Mon, 09/30/2019 - 14:57

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host its 14th annual Gathering to celebrate seniors living healthy lifestyles on Monday, October 7, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Nearly 1,000 seniors ages 65 to 100 attend educational sessions to learn about practicing mindfulness to increase resilience, managing back pain, eating well and improving balance to prevent falls. There will be opportunities to get active by engaging in activities like dance and sound bath meditation. Participants will also visit with representatives from approximately 50 local organizations that offer products and services for healthy and active aging.

The 14th annual Gathering will conclude with a luncheon program including presentations of Thrive awards to seniors who have inspired and strengthened their communities through exercise, volunteering and social interaction as well as entertainment and a singalong with Minnesota native Gary LaRue and Rat Pack Entertainment.

The Gathering is sponsored by SilverSneakers by Tivity Health, Allina Health – Aetna, Summit Orthopedics, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, Matrix, Medica Foundation, Octane Fitness and Orthology.

WHO:
YMCA of the North

WHAT:
YMCA 14th Annual Gathering

WHERE:
Minneapolis Convention Center at 1301 2nd Avenue South in Minneapolis, MN 55403

WHEN:
Monday, October 7, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Luncheon program begins at 12:15 p.m.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:

10:15 a.m. – Noon - Dancing, sound bath mediation and educational sessions
12:35 p.m. - Entertainment by Gary LaRue and Rat Pack Entertainment
1:05 p.m. – Presentation of ForeverWell Thrive awards to celebrate outstanding Y members

- 86-year old retired teacher whose dedication to staying fit brings her to the Y every day, early in the morning, participating in a wide range of classes. She is a wonderful example of how to age with grace and strength.
- 77-year old woman whose joyful persona greets all newcomers to class and has created a real sense of family at her YMCA. She also makes sure members who are ill or struggling stay connected to the Y.
- 77-year old Kurdish immigrant, who along with his wife, have made the Y their second home. They literally come in the morning and leave late afternoon every day, staying fit and making friends.
- 85-year old man, who has been involved with the Y since he was a child attending camp. Now his dedication to service shines through his volunteer activities, including running a fundraising Christmas Tree lot both here and in California.
1:25 p.m. – 1,000+ people participating in singalong

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 163 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across 12 counties of the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 28 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.

YMCA Helps Students Realize Their Potential Through New After School Programs

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:55:59 +0000

YMCA Helps Students Realize Their Potential Through New After School Programs jeffrey.needham Fri, 09/27/2019 - 07:55

The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, provides out-of-school time programs and activities that nurture the potential of every child and teen, supporting their social-emotional, cognitive and physical development in order for them to thrive.

In Minnesota, 25 percent of school-age children are alone unsupervised during the hours after school. As families and youth transition into fall and winter, the YMCA offers programs to youth from school-aged to college to keep them active, busy and engaged during out-of-school time. Through a well-rounded approach to youth development, the Y’s programs, such as Beacons, School Success, Best Buy Teen Tech Center and the University YMCA, nurture the potential of youth throughout the school year.

“The YMCA is committed to expanding outside its four walls to reach young people where they are,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “Out-of-school time at the Y is an opportunity for families to ensure their kids are receiving additional support, continued learning and opportunities to participate in meaningful activities that can inspire their future goals and help them reach their potential.”

Gunderson added that the Y team designs programs that are flexible and can meet the needs of specific communities. YMCA out-of-school education and enrichment programs are found in Y facilities, schools, apartment complexes, mobile home communities, universities and more, and include the following opportunities:

Educational support, including homework help and targeted reading, math or science activities to increase achievement and confidence
Enrichment activities like art, dance, music and more
Career pathways and leadership development opportunities through YMCA Teen Thrive programming
Programs like Beacons in Minneapolis and Richfield or School Success in St. Paul that bring before and after school programs directly to students’ schools, free of charge
The Y provides college programming through its branch at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. University YMCA students become uniquely prepared to lead in a global world and be socially responsible leaders at home and in the workforce. Through immersive experiences and intentional reflection, students take on the most pressing challenges facing communities and deepen their sense of themselves in the process.

University YMCA and Allina Health Partner on Change to Chill

Thirty percent of college students report that stress has negatively impacted their academics and six percent of college students report that anxiety is the top presenting concern (American Psychological Association)

The University YMCA collaborated with Allina Health on the Change to Chill program, an online, mental well-being resource aimed at helping teens better manage stress and build resiliency through mindfulness, guided imagery, meditation and gratitude practice. Three University YMCA college interns supported 16 teams of youth, two per high school in developing a Chill Zone for their schools. At the same time, Allina Health supported the University YMCA to research and create their own chill zone. The end result was creating a mobile Chillin Zone that could be taken out into the community, on campus and to Hopkins High School. Allina Health is also training the college students to become Change to Chill trainers who will reach out to many young people with the curriculum, supporting healthy living and choices.

YMCA Best Buy Teen Tech Center Opens in Downtown St. Paul

Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) are projected to grow 17 percent over the next few years, and the Y is helping youth develop strong problem-solving, planning, analysis and decision-making skills to succeed in the classroom and in high-demand careers.

The YMCA Best Buy Teen Tech Center in St. Paul, a member of the Clubhouse Network and a collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, addresses the nation’s opportunity gap by offering teens free, year-round, hands-on technology access and education in an after school setting. Over the next decade, 77 percent (1.4 million) of all U.S. jobs will require tech skills, yet only 400,000 people will be trained for these jobs. With community-based job readiness resources on the decline, Best Buy is working with local nonprofit partners like the YMCA of the North to provide essential access to technology tools and training for low-income youth and families.

YMCA and Richfield Public Schools Expand After School Opportunities

By 2017 Minneapolis high school seniors who participated in Beacons programming were more likely to graduate high school than their similar peers. Of the 152 seniors who attended Beacons at least 30 days during the 2016-2017 school year, 91 percent graduated.

The YMCA and Richfield Public Schools recently received a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the Minnesota Department of Education to expand afterschool and summer learning opportunities for Richfield students in grades K-12. The $2.6 million grant will launch a new Beacons Network in Richfield this fall. The Beacons Network is an established and proven collaboration that brings together the nation’s largest youth development organizations: the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs and a local community and school district. In Minnesota, the Beacons Network has a 20-year history, serving more than 4,000 youth and 2,000 families in Minneapolis. Measurable results of the program demonstrate improved academic performance, better school attendance, and increased sense of belonging and connection to the community for Beacons students.

Discover how University YMCA and Allina Health’s Change to Chill program is making a difference – YMCA Chill Zone

Learn how the YMCA Best Buy Teen Tech Center is teaching invaluable job readiness skills and career development – YMCA Best Buy Teen Tech Center

Explore why out of school time programs benefit youth – What Happens During Out of School Time?

Because the YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to helping youth thrive, financial assistance is available to those in need. To learn more about the Y’s programs, please visit ymcamn.org.

YMCA Recognizes National Falls Prevention Awareness Day September 22 and Active Aging Week September 23-29

jeffrey.needham — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 16:06:03 +0000

YMCA Recognizes National Falls Prevention Awareness Day September 22 and Active Aging Week September 23-29 jeffrey.needham Wed, 09/18/2019 - 11:06

Minneapolis, MN - The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will recognize National Falls Prevention Awareness Day September 22 and Active Aging Week September 23 – 29.

Each year, it’s estimated that one out of three Americans aged 65 or older will suffer a fall, leaving many of these adults with a fear of falling that can cause them to limit physical activities. This leads to reduced mobility and diminished quality of life, and actually increases their risk of falling. With a focus on healthy aging, the Y is committed to helping seniors access programs that can help them build strength in spirit, mind and body.

The first step to prevention is understanding risk. Seniors can assess their fall risk by taking a simple test at available at their local YMCA. Through this assessment, individuals can learn how routine activities and other factors help determine their risk for falls.

The CDC suggests these basic lifestyle and safety changes to help reduce risk or prevent falls:

Begin an exercise program to improve your leg strength & balance.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines.
Get annual eye check-ups & update your eyeglasses.
Make your home safer by:
- Removing clutter & tripping hazards.
- Putting railings on all stairs & adding grab bars in the bathroom.
- Installing proper lighting, especially on stairs.

“The YMCA is dedicated to empowering seniors in our community to improve their health in a safe way,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “Falls are preventable, but many older adults and their families don’t know how to safely get active; the good news is that organizations like the Y can help.”

In addition to Fall Prevention, the Y’s Active Aging Week will feature activities around mindfulness, wellness and more. To learn more about the Y’s programs for seniors, please visit www.ymcamn.org/health__fitness/foreverwell

About the YMCA of the North

YMCA to Participate in National Welcoming Week September 13 – 22

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:13:59 +0000

YMCA to Participate in National Welcoming Week September 13 – 22 jeffrey.needham Tue, 09/10/2019 - 15:13

Welcoming Week expands on YMCA New American Welcome Centers that build bridges for newcomers to our communities

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will join Welcoming America and hundreds of YMCAs and other organizations nationwide in hosting events to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to our communities during Welcoming Week, September 13 – 22.

Welcoming Week will expand upon the work the YMCA is doing in its New American Welcome Centers, which help connect newcomers to community resources and build connections. Watch this video to learn more about YMCA New American Welcome Centers. The YMCA will also be a participant at the Welcoming Week event hosted by the City of Minneapolis on Friday, September 20, at Powderhorn Park. The event will feature music, dance, spoken word, interactive art, voter registration, food trucks and more, and will have city leaders and staff available to connect with the community.

“Our YMCA believes the Twin Cities is stronger when everyone in the community feels welcome and we can work together so all can thrive,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “Welcoming Week is an opportunity for neighbors – both immigrants and U.S.-born residents – to connect, find common ground and celebrate our shared values. Cross-cultural understanding and relationships build a stronger community for all of us.”

This year, 17 Y locations across the Twin Cities are hosting events for members and the community to participate. Upcoming events include:

Cultural Dress and Fashion Show at the Burnsville YMCA on September 19
ESL/ELL Classes at the Blaisdell YMCA on September 16, 17 and 19
Tea and Henna Time at the Midway YMCA on September 17
Guest Speaker: Elaine Tymchak of Cultivate International at the Maplewood Community Center on September 16

For more Welcoming Week events, please check schedules at these YMCA locations:

Forest Lake
St. Paul Eastside – New American Welcome Center
Blaisdell – New American Welcome Center
University Y – New American Welcome Center
Downtown St. Paul
Burnsville – New American Welcome Center
Emma B Howe – New American Welcome Center
Midway
Woodbury
River Valley – New American Welcome Center
West Saint Paul
Rochester
Eagan
Shoreview – New American Welcome Center
Youth Intervention Services
Maplewood Community Center
Ridgedale - - New American Welcome Center

About the YMCA of the North