YMCA News Archive

Governor Walz, YMCA of the North Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Across Greater Twin Cities YMCA Locations

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 22:45:13 +0000

Governor Walz, YMCA of the North Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Across Greater Twin Cities YMCA Locations jeffrey.needham Mon, 08/30/2021 - 17:45

Children 12+ and families encouraged to get vaccinated for a safe and healthy school year

[ST. PAUL, MN] — Today, Governor Tim Walz and the YMCA of the North announced a series of free COVID-19 vaccine clinics at YMCA locations across the Greater Twin Cities area.

“COVID-19 vaccines are the best tools we have to keep our children and families safe and beat this pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “Now is a critical time to make sure all of our family members 12 years of age and older are vaccinated to ensure a safe and healthy school year. Thank you to the YMCA of the North for helping bring these life-saving vaccines into our communities, meeting Minnesotans where they are, and making it easier than ever to get your family protected against COVID-19.”

“We all want to keep our kids and families safe heading back into fall and the school year — and that means getting as many of us vaccinated as possible,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I am grateful to the YMCA of the North for their partnership and working with us to keep Minnesotans healthy and our communities strong. To all the families with children 12 years of age and older who still need to get their COVID-19 vaccine: don’t miss this opportunity right at your local YMCA.”

Through a partnership between the State of Minnesota and the YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines will be offered to all Minnesotans 12-years-of-age and older at more than a dozen YMCA locations.

“The YMCA is honored to serve as a community hub in efforts such as these free clinics to advance wellbeing for all,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “We are committed to keeping our communities healthy and strong.”

Minnesotans will be able to walk-in or make an appointment online at www.ymcanorth.org/vaccine-clinics and can receive either their first or second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines will be provided in partnership with SpeciaLysts, local public health, and MetroTransit mobile vaccine units.

How to get vaccinated:

Walk-ins are welcome.
Minnesotans can also make an appointment online at: www.ymcanorth.org/vaccine-clinics

YMCA Vaccine Clinic Details:

St. Paul Eastside (875 Arcade St., St. Paul, MN 55106)
- August 30 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
- September 20 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
St. Paul Midway (1761 University Ave W. St. Paul, MN 55104)
- September 1 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
- September 22 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Coon Rapids (8950 Springbrook Dr. Coon Rapids, MN 55433)
- September 8 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
- September 29 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Andover (15200 Hanson Blvd. NW Andover, MN 55304)
- September 16 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
- October 7 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Ridgedale (12301 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55305) - Mobile Bus
- September 13 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 4 — 4:00-7:00pm
Shoreview (3760 Lexington Ave, Shoreview, MN 55126)
- September 13 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 4 — 4:00-7:00pm
White Bear Area (2100 Orchard Lane, White Bear Lake, MN 55110)
- September 13 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 4 — 4:00-7:00pm
New Hope (7601 42nd Ave, New Hope, MN 55427) - Mobile Bus
- September 14 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 5 — 4:00-7:00pm
West St. Paul (1426 E. Mendota Rd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077)
- September 14 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 5 — 4:00-7:00pm
Forest Lake (19845 Forest Rd N., Forest Lake, MN 55025)
- September 15 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 6 — 4:00-7:00pm
Eagan (550 Opperman Dr., Eagan, MN 55123)
- September 16 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 7 — 4:00-7:00pm
Rochester (709 1st Ave. SW Rochester, MN 55902)
- September 20 — 5:00-7:30pm
- October 11 — 5:00-7:30pm
Teen Tech Center (21 4th St. E., St. Paul MN, 55101) - Mobile Bus
- September 21 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 12 — 4:00-7:00pm
North Community (1711 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411) - Mobile Bus
- September 27 — 4:00-7:00pm
- October 18 — 4:00-7:00pm

The YMCA vaccine clinics will not require any form of personal identification or medical insurance. Language interpretation, American Sign Language (ASL) and ADA accommodations will be available onsite.

YMCA Hosts Annual BreakAway Events on August 27-28 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 14:39:17 +0000

YMCA Hosts Annual BreakAway Events on August 27-28 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove jeffrey.needham Mon, 08/23/2021 - 09:39

Maple Grove, MN – The YMCA of the North, which is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host its annual BreakAway Splash & Dash on Friday, August 27, and the BreakAway Kids Tri on Saturday, August 28, at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Both events are presented by Twin Cities Orthopedics.

The pandemic has elevated the importance of outdoor adventure. The BreakAway events are a fun, engaging way for kids and families to have a personal best experience that builds confidence and a love of movement in nature.

At Friday’s BreakAway Splash & Dash, racers will swim 100 yards and run a mile on a course filled with fun obstacles, including running through a cloud of bubbles and sliding down a giant slip-n-slide. This event, a perfect introduction to racing, is for kids ages 4-8 and adult race buddies. Many parents and even grandparents enjoy participating with their kids/grandkids.

At Saturday’s BreakAway Tri, the kids participate in 100 yards of swimming, 5 miles of biking inside the beautiful park trails, and a mile of running with fun obstacles.

Both events conclude with a victory at the fan-favorite finish line. All participants get a cool race shirt and custom medal.

Pediatricians around the Twin Cities prescribe the BreakAway events to kids as a way to have them set a goal and be active outdoors. "It's great to prescribe something fun and healthy rather than medication when working with youth on their wellbeing,” said Dr. Tracy Hall of South Lake Pediatrics. “Kids love CycleHealth events and families are energized to be healthier together.”

The BreakAway events – and all other Y adventure races – are hosted in Three Rivers Park District spaces. The Y and the Three Rivers Park District share a mission to bring new populations into nature-based experiences.

“The YMCA is proud to work with community partners to provide unique wellness opportunities for kids,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the YMCA of the North. “When we empower young people to develop healthy habits early, we set them up for future success.”

WHO:
YMCA of the North CycleHealth and the Three River Parks District
350 racers at the BreakAway Splash & Dash and 800 racers at the BreakAway Kids Tri

WHAT:
BreakAway Splash & Dash and and BreakAway Kids Tri, presented by Twin Cities Orthopedics

WHERE:
Elm Creek Park Reserve at 12400 James Deane Parkway in Maple Grove, MN 55369

WHEN:
BreakAway Splash & Dash on Friday, August 27 from 5:00- 7:00 p.m.
BreakAway Kids Tri on Saturday, August 28 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. (Racing begins at 9:00 a.m. and finishes around 10:45 a.m.)

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 165 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, 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.ymcanorth.org.

YMCA of the North Partners with USA Swimming Foundation, Toyota and Hennepin County on Mobile Swim Lessons Initiative in Twin Cities

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:48:16 +0000

YMCA of the North Partners with USA Swimming Foundation, Toyota and Hennepin County on Mobile Swim Lessons Initiative in Twin Cities jeffrey.needham Mon, 08/16/2021 - 09:48

Children in underserved communities receive free swim lessons

Minneapolis – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is partnering with the USA Swimming Foundation, Toyota, Hennepin County and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to bring free swim lessons to families in underserved communities.

Through Mobile Swim Lessons Powered by Toyota, YMCA instructors and lifeguards with safety equipment will travel to designated low-income apartment complexes with swimming pools to offer water safety lessons this summer. According to a USA Swimming Foundation study conducted by UNLV and the University of Memphis, 79 percent of children in families with less than a $50,000 income have little to no swimming ability.

Children who reside in or near these apartment complexes will have the opportunity to learn the lifesaving skill of swimming during the summer or after school this fall, thus reaching those who may not otherwise take swimming lessons due to lack of transportation. With Toyota’s sponsorship of the program, the USA Swimming Foundation and Toyota can provide swim lessons for up to 500 children, through vehicle leases and sponsorship fees.

“We’re proud to be a part of this initiative and help bring not only swimming lessons and water safety to low-income communities, but also provide these children the opportunity to learn about swimming,” said Dedra DeLilli, group manager, sponsorship, integration & activation, Toyota Motor North America. “At Toyota, we believe that when given the opportunity and resources, one can truly accomplish anything. Our hope is that these children feel more confident and safer around water thanks to the Mobile Learn to Swim program.”

“The YMCA is committed to saving lives through water safety programs and education,” said Glen Gunderson, president for the Y. “We are excited to partner on the Mobile Swim Lessons program with the USA Swimming Foundation, Toyota and Hennepin County so we are able to offer this program free of charge so all can access life-saving lessons and skills.”

“Once again our friends at Toyota have stepped up to help when we needed them most, and we are extremely grateful for their generosity,” said Shana Ferguson, chief commercial officer for USA Swimming. “There is glory in winning competitive swim medals on the global scene, but there is dire need for providing access to swim lessons for those who need them locally. Toyota has figured out how to help us do both in their own unique way. We are humbled by their continued engagement with our sport and our communities.”

The Mobile Swim Lessons program will be offering water safety sessions for kids age 5-12 years old at these locations in August:

Seasons Park
951 E 77th St, Richfield, MN 55423
8/16-8/26 9 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 10:20 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Blooming Meadows South
1930 E 86th Street, Bloomington, MN 55425
8/16-8/26 1:00 p.m., 1:40 p.m. and 2:20 p.m.

To register, visit www.ymcanorth.org/swimming/the_mobile_swim_lessons.

To learn more about hosting Mobile Swim Powered by Toyota, please contact Shannon Kinstler at Shannon.Kinstler@ymcanorth.org.

About the USA Swimming Foundation

The USA Swimming Foundation serves at the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions. Whether we are equipping our children with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim through our learn-to-swim initiative, supporting adult learn-to-swim programs or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the opportunity for every person in the U.S. to learn to swim. To learn more, visit www.usaswimming.org/foundation.

Contact: Jessica Delos Reyes (719-439-8707 / jdelosreyes@usaswimming.org)

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands. Over the past 60 years, we’ve built more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Contact: Marissa Borjon (469-292-6395 / marissa.borjon@Toyota.com)

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 165 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, 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.ymcanorth.org.