YMCA News Archive

36th Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations Brings 500 Youth Together to Learn About Global Issues March 30-April 1

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:05:04 +0000

36th Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations Brings 500 Youth Together to Learn About Global Issues March 30-April 1 jeffrey.needham Mon, 03/27/2023 - 09:05

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will bring together more than 500 students in grades 7-12 at the Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations on March 30-April 1.

Model UN participants take on the role of diplomats from various nations around the world and practice compromise and diplomacy to solve global problems. Some topics students will discuss include election security and reform, plastic waste in oceans, global hunger and food insecurity, biological black market, control of space, public displays of religious practices, global exchange rates, building a lasting peace and more. The goal of Model UN is to teach students to be responsible world citizens in our global community.

“In the classroom, students primarily learn from their teachers,” said Amy Anderson, executive director for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. “At Center for Youth Voice conferences, students learn from each other. Specifically at YMCA Model UN, participants will improve their research, writing and public speaking skills as well as their understanding of the world and how they fit into that world.”

WHO:
YMCA of the North’s Center for Youth Voice

WHAT:
Model United Nations Conference

WHERE:
Minneapolis Marriott, 30 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

WHEN:
Thursday, March 30 – Saturday, April 1, 2023

Media Invited:

Thursday, March 30, 11:00 a.m. – Noon for the opening ceremony or 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. for program sessions
Friday, March 31, 9:00 a.m. – Noon for program sessions

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 167 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.

Woodbury YMCA Preschoolers and ForeverWell Members Enjoy Intergenerational Yoga Class on March 29

jeffrey.needham — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:17:13 +0000

Woodbury YMCA Preschoolers and ForeverWell Members Enjoy Intergenerational Yoga Class on March 29 jeffrey.needham Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:17

Woodbury, MN – The Woodbury YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will bring preschoolers and older adult members together in an intergenerational yoga class on March 29.

The youth and senior participants who will be wearing animal print clothing will enjoy a class where the instructor will use animal poses to teach different yoga moves.

“Our Y Preschool program teaches kids how to stay fit through play and build the foundation of healthy habits while having fun,” said Kelly Monson, YMCA vice president of child development and learning. “We are excited to offer intergenerational opportunities where young and old alike learn the importance of taking care of their bodies, exercise and movement.”

The Y child care programs develop physical, emotional and social competencies through learning experiences that help them grow into confident, caring and happy individuals. The YMCA serves approximately 1,000 children every day in child care centers across the greater Twin Cities. The Woodbury Y preschool has 60 participants daily.

The Y provides senior support through ForeverWell in-person and virtual programs including group and water exercise, pickleball, and social groups like bingo, book club, knitting club, walking/hiking/biking clubs and more. More than 44,000 older adults in the community are YMCA ForeverWell members, with 3,250 participating at the Woodbury Y.

“We are committed to offering experiences that enhance the happy and healthy lives of seniors in our community,” said Mike Lavin, YMCA vice president of operations. “We love bringing together kids and seniors to enjoy being active and social in a safe places like our Y.”

For more information about YMCA child care programs, visit https://www.ymcanorth.org/child_care__preschool. To learn more about YMCA ForeverWell programs, go to https://www.ymcanorth.org/health__fitness/foreverwell.

WHO:
Woodbury YMCA YPreschool Students and ForeverWell Members Wearing Animal Print Clothing

WHAT:
Intergenerational Yoga Class Using Animal Poses

WHERE:
Woodbury YMCA on 2175 Radio Drive in Woodbury, MN 55125

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 29 at 10-10:30 a.m.

About the YMCA of the North

YMCA, Hennepin County, Brooklyn Center Community Schools and Osseo Area Schools Offer New Homework Starts with Home Northwest Program to Families Experiencing Housing Instability

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:59:18 +0000

YMCA, Hennepin County, Brooklyn Center Community Schools and Osseo Area Schools Offer New Homework Starts with Home Northwest Program to Families Experiencing Housing Instability jeffrey.needham Mon, 03/20/2023 - 08:59

Brooklyn Center and Osseo, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, with Hennepin County, Brooklyn Center Community Schools and Osseo Area Schools offers Homework Starts with Home Northwest, a new program providing resources and supportive services to families experiencing housing instability.

This new student homeless prevention program for Northwest Hennepin suburbs will work over three years with 250 families experiencing housing instability whose children attend school in Brooklyn Center Community Schools or Osseo Area Schools. The community partners saw a significant need for homelessness prevention with the increases in eviction filings, households severely cost burdened, and doubled up and couch hopping families.

YMCA Youth and Family Services provides goal-oriented case management and supportive services to prevent homelessness, identify and address barriers to stable housing, and promote long-term stability. Services include financial and monthly budgeting assistance, food support, employment help, connection to community resources and more.

“The Y and community partners are committed to prevent student and family homelessness by mitigating the factors leading to housing instability and promote long‐term housing stability,” said Bri Warren, program director of homeless services at the YMCA of the North. “Every student should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive safely at school and home.”

“Homework Starts with Home has been a wonderful program that specifically targets school-aged children and their families who are facing housing instability,” said Loni Aadalen, principal planning analyst at Hennepin County. “The number of families that have been able to receive supportive services and emergency rent assistance because of this collaborative has been invaluable in preventing homelessness. Hennepin County believes housing is a human right and ensuring families can remain in housing is one of the main priorities of the Housing Stability Service Area.”

"Homework Starts with Home Northwest has been an extremely beneficial resource for Brooklyn Center families facing eviction,” said Deirdra Yarbro, director of special services at Brooklyn Center Community Schools. “The collaboration between the YMCA, Brooklyn Center Community Schools and Osseo Area Schools is a wonderful example of the larger community coming together to support one another."

“Part of Osseo Area School's strategic plan is to address, acknowledge and reduce systemic disparities, barriers and inequities as we lead, develop and align our district toward continuous improvement,” said Kendra Kuhlmann, housing stability social worker at Osseo Area Schools. “Homework Starts with Home offers resources for families facing housing instability and for students to feel supported, safe, and successful in school. Osseo Area Schools is committed to the collaboration with Hennepin County, the YMCA and community partners in the ongoing implementation of Homework Starts with Home to better serve our families and students.”

For more information, families should contact their school district to determine if they are eligible. Brooklyn Center Schools at HSWH@BCCS286.org and Osseo Area Schools at HSWH@district279.org.

About the YMCA of the North

About Hennepin County

The goal of Hennepin County is to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. Hennepin County holds two core beliefs about homelessness:

Homelessness is unacceptable – Nobody should be without the safety, security and dignity of a home.
We have solutions to homelessness – Our committed and collaborative efforts have shown we are capable of mobilizing resources to help keep people in their homes or help them find and sustain new homes.

About Brooklyn Center Community Schools

Brooklyn Center Community Schools (BCCS) serves approximately 2,300 students and families in Brooklyn Center and surrounding communities. As a full-service community schools district with over 100 community partners, BCCS serves the whole child by working to eliminate barriers to learning so that each child can freely pursue their potential. BCCS stands front and center with the young people they love and serve and strive to become a justice-centered school community who fuels the unique genius of each student. Learn more about BCCS at www.bccs286.org.

About Osseo Area Schools

The mission of Osseo Area Schools is to inspire and prepare each and every scholar with the confidence, courage and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning. With just over 20,000 students, Osseo Area Schools is Minnesota’s fifth-largest district. It services eight communities, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, Plymouth and Rogers.