|
Let us Know How We're Doing
|
This month we will be randomly surveying our members. If you receive a survey by mail or email please take a moment to tell us how we are doing.
The email will come from [email protected] and the subject line of the email will read "Your YMCA Annual Member Experience Survey".
|
|
Flu Shots
Flu season is almost here, and the best defense is a good defense! Meijer is helping the YMCA distribute flu shots to members and staff at select YMCA locations through early November. All you'll need is an insurance card and to be age 14 and up in Ohio, or 9 and up in Kentucky.
Dates and Times >>
Wellness Rocks
the Square
October 25
Noon - 4 p.m.
Downtown's
Fountain Square
Join the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Humana, and CVS/pharmacy for a free and fun afternoon of health and wellness activities.
The event will feature a live band (The Remains), interactive fitness demonstrations, healthy food samples, and a wide variety of free health screenings provided by local companies.
Special guests will include:
- Former Bengals: Ickey Woods, Richard Carey, Joe Kelly, and Rodney Heath
- Former New Orleans Saint:
LonZell Hill - Bengals mascot
Who Dey
After their presentations, they will be available to meet with fans and be available for photo opportunities!
Free health screenings will include biometric, diabetes, and cognitive assessments.
For more information about Wellness Rocks the Square, call (513) 362-YMCA or visit our website.
Free Workouts in
Washington Park
The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati continues the popular Saturday workouts in downtown's beautiful Washington Park. Join us every Saturday at 9 a.m., through October 26, 2014.
Fall and Winter Events Guide
Check out all the exciting events happening at the Y this fall and winter.
|
What's Happening
at Camp Ernst |
Charity Horse Ride
November 1
Ages: 9 and up
The Charity Horse Ride supports camper scholarships at YMCA Camp Ernst. Bring your family and friends along for an hour and a half ride on our beautiful camp trails. Reservations required.
Lumberjack Weekend
November 14-16
Ages: 9-15
Kids can enjoy all the fun of camp packed into just one weekend. All campers and counselors stay in Lakeview Lodge (which is heated). Campers participate in camp activities with their cabin group during the day and come back to the lodge for fun evening programs at the end of the day. Campers make s'mores, sing songs, climb the rock wall, play capture the flag, and so much more!
|
Five Ways to Avoid Back Pain
Oh, my aching back! if you've ever thought or said that, this article is for you. Back pain accounts for an alarming amount of missed work in the U.S. each year, not to mention missed fun.
Read on to learn five ways to avoid back pain.
|
|
 |
|
The stories in this newsletter are shining examples of the power of the relationships and community built through the Y. Friends being there with just the right words and actions of encouragement; and how giving back to others brings blessings back to the giver. It really warms my heart to be reminded how being together through the Y, we enrich others every day.
The strength of being in community is constant. Yet, we enjoy the excitement of finding new ways to support and serve each other. Check out our all new "Y Party." It will be an energetic and social night of fellowship and dancing - which is good for our health and our spirits. It will also help raise critical funds needed to operate the Y's youth development programs - programs that support success in school and life. The Y Party provides a fun night out to support the exponential impact that quality child care and mentoring have on youth that need our support the most.
Make a friend, be a friend, and support those around us. That sounds like the Y I love and support.
Thanks for being a friend to this amazing organization.
Sandy Walker
President & CEO
|
|
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
 Helping All Kids Reach Their
Fullest Potential
What is your child doing afterschool? Children who participate in afterschool programs are more successful in academics, are healthier, and more often maintain positive behaviors, according to research from the national Afterschool Alliance. First grader Elijah Lindsey attends a YMCA afterschool program at Pleasant Hill Academy in the Cincinnati Public School district. With financial assistance provided by the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Elijah's parents are able to provide their son and his brother with a safe place to go every day.
Elijah was struggling when he entered the YMCA's afterschool program last year; he would cry, throw things, run off, hide, and be aggressive with staff. He was frequently suspended from his kindergarten classes. "At the Y, we help kids reach their full potential and thrive in a safe, trustworthy setting," said YMCA Site Coordinator Deltrescia Carter. "We took a team approach to help Elijah, and Elijah was a part of that team." Fast forward one year. Elijah's grades have stabilized and he is no longer being suspended from classes. Instead, he is working hard to re-channel his aggression and improve his grades.
YMCA afterschool programs combine play with academics and promote creativity, a love of learning, social and emotional development, and character building while complementing lessons learned during the school day. YMCA afterschool programs fill gaps in schools and communities where some recreational opportunities like art, music, and physical activity offerings are limited.
You can help the YMCA make a real difference in our community by providing afterschool and other youth development programs to children like Elijah. On Saturday, November 15, 2014, join us for the Y's Party for a Cause at Paul Brown Stadium. Help raise money for youth development programs, while enjoying an evening of fun, dancing, and food. Click here and learn more about the Y's Party for a Cause.
|
|
|
HEALTHY LIVING
The Power in Pink:
Living with Breast Cancer
|
When Jean Schirtzinger of Union, Kentucky joined the R.C. Durr YMCA in 2010, her goal was to lose weight and feel better. And, she did. Jean joined the "Lose to Win" class, had a great time in the class, and dropped 24 pounds along the way.
Earlier this year, Jean found herself facing a new challenge. She found a suspicious lump and quickly made an appointment with her doctor. At the age of 43, Jean learned she had cancer. Now in chemotherapy and often spotted wearing a colorful pink scarf, she refuses to slow down maintaining a four-day-a-week workout schedule at the Y.
"My friends from my classes have been some of my biggest supporters," said Jean. "People text and call me if I'm not there. During my chemo, some of them have made me meals. My Y family stepped up and took charge in my most difficult moments."
Jean gives her friend and YMCA group fitness instructor Beth Williams lots of credit for helping her focus on fitness and strength through tough times. "She's much more than an instructor, she's become a great friend," explains Jean. "She's an extremely caring person who lets me take breaks, but also motivates me to keep going when I'm tired."
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Jean has some advice for all women. "Make sure to do regular checks and schedule mammograms," she said. "Also, make sure to stay off the internet for information. Trust your doctors. Don't be afraid of the diagnosis. Have faith that you'll get through it, and you will. Thanks to my friends at the Y, I'm feeling stronger every day."
On October 17, 2014, the YMCA invites
encourages everyone to wear PINK when they come to the Y that day.
|
|
|
|
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Making the Y Part of Your Life
|
On any given day, you are likely to see a smiling Patty Cochran at the Clippard Family YMCA Welcome Center, greeting all who walk through the door and attending fitness classes. Patty started volunteering for the Y, after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. "I had a choice after that diagnosis to get active or get a wheelchair," said Patty. Since her diagnosis, she has lost 40 pounds and makes it a point to exercise regularly.
Patty, also known as the Zumba� Queen, has quite the following at the Clippard Family YMCA. People who attend classes with her call themselves "Patty's People" and most are there every day. A true people person, Patty is also the volunteer coordinator for the monthly senior luncheons and helps recruit volunteers for YMCA special events.
The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati offers seniors the opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle, build healthy relationships, and keep a positive outlook on life. "If it wasn't for the YMCA, I don't know what I would do," said the 68-year-old Cochran. "My life was interrupted by the arthritis, and I had a miracle happen in my life when I discovered the YMCA."
For more information about YMCA of Greater Cincinnati activities for older adults, call (513) 362-YMCA or visit the website MyY.org.
|
|
|
|
|
