YMCA News Archive

YMCA of the North sets kids up for a healthy start to the summer at Healthy Kids Day April 20

jeffrey.needham — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:26 +0000

YMCA of the North sets kids up for a healthy start to the summer at Healthy Kids Day April 20 jeffrey.needham Wed, 04/17/2024 - 12:15

YMCA of the North sets kids up for a healthy start to the summer at Healthy Kids Day April 20

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day on April 20. Events will be hosted from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the YMCA in Hudson and from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Blaisdell YMCA.

This free annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. Sponsored nationally by Peanuts, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to turn fun and play into lifelong memories.

The event will feature engaging activities for the whole family. All are welcome and membership is not required to participate.

Activities at the YMCA in Hudson include:

Bike safety rodeo, including a bike safety course, bike safety tune-ups and bikes of all sizes and adaptive bikes available to ride
- Participate to win a free bike of your size!
Community vendor tables with family-based activities
Ambulance, fire truck and police vehicle tours and police K-9 demonstrations
Watch Life Link III helicopter land and take off
Food vendors

Thank you to participating community partners for supporting this event.

Activities at the Blaisdell YMCA include:

Pictures with Snoopy
Bounce house
Firefighter meet and greet with the Minneapolis Fire Department
Frog and Toad Story Theatre with Children’s Theatre Company
Family fitness class
Plant a seed activity

Thank you to community partners Children’s Theatre Company, Hy-Vee and the Minneapolis Fire Department for supporting this event.

“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally – and the Y is here to support families as they create healthy habits,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the YMCA of the North. “Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y has to offer.”

WHAT: Healthy Kids Day

WHEN: Saturday, April 20

WHERE:
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at YMCA in Hudson, 2211 Vine St., Hudson, WI 54016
1 – 4 p.m. at Blaisdell YMCA, 3335 Blaisdell Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408

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 168 years ago, the Y seeks to be the leader in experiences that foster wellbeing for people and communities. By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.

About Peanuts

The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd. (TSX:WILD), 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. Learn more at peanuts.com.

Kaleidoscope adds YMCA of the North President & CEO Glen Gunderson to Board of Directors

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:00:26 +0000

Kaleidoscope adds YMCA of the North President & CEO Glen Gunderson to Board of Directors jeffrey.needham Tue, 04/16/2024 - 15:00

Minneapolis, MN – Kaleidoscope, a leading Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform (FSP) based in Minneapolis, MN, has announced the appointment of Glen Gunderson to its Board of Directors.

Glen Gunderson, President and CEO of the YMCA of the North, brings a wealth of industry experience to Kaleidoscope’s Board. With nearly 12 years in leadership at the YMCA, a current board seat with Daxko, and prior roles at RedBrick Health and Life Time Fitness, Glen has a proven track record of breaking down barriers for youth, providing strategic guidance in high-growth stages, and driving positive change.

Reflecting on his appointment, Glen commented, “As a former scholarship recipient myself, I understand firsthand the importance of the work Kaleidoscope is doing in the market. Their mission not only streamlines scholarship processes for organizations but also expands access to educational opportunities for all students.”

Founded in 2017, Kaleidoscope serves as the preferred FSP for over 500 organizations, facilitating the design, implementation, administration, and distribution of scholarships to thousands of students nationwide.

Glen’s appointment completes the Kaleidoscope Board of Directors, which includes Chairman, Justin Kaufenberg, Managing Partner at Rally Ventures; Joe Biller, Managing Partner at 503 Partners; Jeff Hinck, Managing Partner at Rally Ventures; and Jason Von Bank, CEO at Kaleidoscope.

“We are thrilled to welcome Glen to our Board,” said Jason Von Bank, CEO of Kaleidoscope. “His personal connection to our mission, combined with his strategic expertise, will further strengthen our world-class board as we continue on our mission to remove financial barriers to advancement.”

Learn more on the Kaleidoscope website.

About Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is a Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform (FSP) that gives organizations the tools and support they need to build and manage scholarship programs from start to finish, every year. Organizations partner with Kaleidoscope to build and manage scholarship applications, communicate with applicants and reviewers, complete a selection process, and manage disbursements. Learn more at https://www.mykaleidoscope.com/.  To learn more about how Kaleidoscope can improve your scholarship or grant program, visit www.mykaleidoscope.com.

About the YMCA of the North

More than 600 youth to learn about global issues April 4-6 at Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:28:27 +0000

More than 600 youth to learn about global issues April 4-6 at Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations jeffrey.needham Tue, 04/02/2024 - 11:28

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, April 4-6 will bring together more than 600 students in grades 7-12 at the Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations (UN). This is the 37th Model UN presented by the YMCA Center for Youth Voice.

Model UN participants take on the role of diplomats from nations around the world and practice compromise and diplomacy to solve global problems. 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 of the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. “At Center for Youth Voice conferences, students learn by doing – debating issues, forming alliances, seeking compromises. Specifically at YMCA Model UN, participants will improve their understanding of the world and how they fit into that world. These are life skills they will take with them well after they graduate.”

WHO: YMCA Center for Youth Voice

WHAT: Minnesota YMCA Model United Nations

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

WHEN: April 4-6

*Media opportunities:

Thursday, April 4, 11 a.m. – noon for the opening ceremony or 2-5 p.m. for program sessions
Friday, April 5, 9-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-4:30 p.m. for program sessions

Contact: Amy Anderson, 651-955-1679

About the YMCA of the North