Greater Scranton YMCA Provides Tips and Programs During Heart Month February is American Heart Month, and with recently published research indicating blood pressure control has worsened in both men and women since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Scranton YMCA urges community members to make their health a priority by getting a blood pressure screening. Blood pressure guidelines from American Heart Association indicate that nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often referred to as “The Silent Killer” because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms. While high blood pressure and heart disease are serious conditions, the good news is a healthy heart is an achievable goal through lifestyle changes such as lowering sodium intake, eating healthier, and getting more physical activity. Getting help can be as easy as contacting the Y and taking part in the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. The Greater Scranton YMCA is continuing its increased availability of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – which is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles to help reduce their chances of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke as those who do not have it. Here in the Greater Scranton region, we have offered the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program for 12 years. The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about eating healthier, increasing their physical activity and making other behavior changes with the goal of reducing body weight by 7 percent in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. A trained Lifestyle Coach leads the program over a 12-month period. Increased physical activity and moderate weight loss not only reduce diabetes risk, but also have an impact on lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. The Greater Scranton YMCA has seen many participants who had previously been living a sedentary lifestyle come through the program and not only improve their quality of life, but go on to attend multiple group exercises classes a week, as well as regularly visit our wellness center and weight room. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program introducespeople to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and is essential in creating healthier habits bothinside and outside the gym. In addition to monitoring your blood pressure, reducing sodium intake is a great way tokeep your heart healthy. Per the American Heart Association (AHA), too much sodium inyour system puts an extra burden on your heart and blood vessels. In some people, thismay lead to or raise high blood pressure. Everyone, including kids, should reduce theirsodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (about 1 teaspoon of salt).Having less sodium in your diet may help you lower or avoid high blood pressure. “While there are many ways to keep your heart healthy, making a conscious effort to tackleyour blood pressure and decrease sodium intake are two quick, effective ways to preventheart disease,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “No matter whatyour heart health goal is this year, the Y has a variety of resources to help you get startedand achieve them.” The Greater Scranton YMCA offers a community of diverse individuals who can support allpeople in meeting their health and well-being goals. Learn more by visitingwww.greaterscrantonymca.org or stopping into the facility, located at 706 N. Blakely Street,Dunmore, PA 18512.
YMCA News YMCA to Hold Cooking Classes The YMCA will be gathering in the kitchen and café every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in January for cooking lessons and healthy habits discussions. The Tuesday and Wednesday classes go together, with the Tuesday class a discussion on what will be prepared on Wednesday. Our Thursday class will be a standalone class focusing on preparing meals on a budget. Registration is required for each individual class. For members, each class costs $5.00 and for non-members, $10.00. View the schedule and reserve your spot by visiting us online! https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/…/kitchen-club/. YMCA to Hold Outreach Program We Are Y is an inclusive community outreach program that provides individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities access to recreational activities that encourage staying active, building interpersonal relationships among peers, self-sufficiency, and aid in developing cognitive abilities. Recreational activities will rotate weekly and will be followed by light refreshments before departing. JANUARY PROGRAM SCHEDULE:1/5: Post Holiday Craft – Draw what made us most happy during this holiday season!1/12: Imagination Playground – Obstacle Course and base building1/19: Habitat Drawing – We will pick a habitat type and then draw out the species that belong to that specific habitat (animals, plants, etc.)1/26: Create your own Super Hero – We will craft our own unique original super heroes and write short descriptions of them (powers, secret identity, backstory, etc.) YMCA Receives Grant from North Pocono Student North Pocono High Schooler Gwendolyn Powell presented the Greater Scranton YMCA with a grant award totaling $5,713.50. Gwen is a youth competitive golfer, participating in national and local PGA Junior Golf Tournaments. Through her participation in the American Junior Golf Association, Gwen signed up for their Leadership Links Program, which helps youth impact their community and help others by golfing for a cause.
Greater Scranton YMCA Summer Food Program Six out of seven kids in need of healthy, nutritious meals may have gone hungry this summer, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With support from the Walmart Foundation, the YMCA worked to fill the gaps through its Summer Food Program, while also responding to a growing hunger crisis in the wake of rising costs of food and economic uncertainty during the pandemic. According to the USDA, around 30 million kids receive free or reduced-cost meals thanks to the National School Lunch Program. However, once the school year ends, only 14 percent of those same kids are able to access free meals over the summer break, leaving many children without nutritious meals during the summer months. This is at a time when many families are struggling due to rising costs of food and the lingering economic uncertainty following the COVID-19 pandemic.The Y’s Summer Food Program was available at more than 2,500 locations across the country this summer, including at the Greater Scranton YMCA. From June through August, 2022, the Greater Scranton YMCA served 4,142 meals and 2,782 snacks to 235 children here in the Greater Scranton region. During the school year, the Greater Scranton YMCA will also serve healthy meals and snacks in its afterschool program and early childhood education program to provide kids with nourishment and academic enrichment. “Hunger has a lasting impact on the development of children,” says Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Giving kids access to nutrient-dense meals allows kids to focus, learn and become empowered to reach their full potential. The Y’s Summer Food Program, along with our Food Program offered during the school year, helps make sure kids can enjoy healthy and delicious meals and snacks throughout the course of the year.” To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Food Program and Early Childhood Education Program, contact Tressa Parker, Education Director, at tparker@greaterscrantonymca.org.About
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from SACF On May 20th, 2022 the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $14,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support aquatics staffing at the YMCA. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Scranton YMCA was able to fully staff both pools in its facility and offer 283 swim lessons per session. Currently, the YMCA is only able to offer 183 swim lessons per session, a reduction of more than 600 swim lessons annually. The biggest loss, though, has been to our community, as learning to swim is one of the most important life lessons a child can learn. This grant award from the Scranton Area Community Foundation will allow the YMCA to increase lifeguard pay rates with the goal of attracting more staff, as well as retaining existing staff who need a pay increase. Adding more team members to the aquatics department will directly impact the YMCA’s capacity to provide needed services to our community, including offering an increased number of life-saving swim lessons annually, making more pool time available to members and guests, and ensuring the resources are available to implement more youth, adult and family programming. “It’s because of the generosity and support of community partners like the Scranton Area Community Foundation that the Greater Scranton YMCA is able to serve so many members of our community,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are confident this grant award will allow our YMCA to better serve our community through aquatics programming!” For more information about aquatics programming at the Greater Scranton YMCA contact Ken Brewster, Aquatics Director, at kbrewster@greaterscrantonymca.org or call (570) 828-3112.
Greater Scranton YMCA Gears Up for 2021 GivingTuesday Campaign The Greater Scranton YMCA believes all children, adults and families from our community deserve the chance to experience all the Y has to offer. For so many, and perhaps now more than ever before, the resources are not available to join the Y, send a child to preschool or enroll in the after-school program. That’s why on GivingTuesday, November 30, 2021, we’re asking for support. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. On GivingTuesday, our goal is to raise the funds needed to ensure those most in need from our community can benefit from our services. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to turn no one away for an inability to pay,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Annually, we award hundreds of thousands of dollars to low-income children, adults and families from our community, allowing them to benefit from all the Y has to offer. Funds raised for our year-end appeal will allow us to continue fulfilling our mission.” Additionally, as part of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s fundraising efforts, the non-profit organization is proud to participate in AllOne Charities’ GivingTuesday Match Day initiative. From Thanksgiving through December 1st at 4:00pm, AllOne Charities will match contributions participating organizations raise up to $1,000. Donations can be made on AllOne Charities’ GivingTuesday donation form or mailed to 83 East Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Checks must be made payable to AllOne Charities. For more information or for questions on how to donate to the Greater Scranton or participate in AllOne Charities’ Match Day, contact Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director, at mcarnevale@greaterscrantonymca.org or (570) 828-3113.
The Greater Scranton YMCA to Host Hoot & Howl Halloween Party The Greater Scranton YMCA is inviting families from across our community to join us for our free Hoot & Howl Halloween Party at the Y on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The event will feature a costume contest, DJ, magician, Family Haunted Walk, refreshments and more. The celebration will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will end at 3:00 p.m. “We are thrilled to offer a free Halloween event at our facility that welcomes all members of our community,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Following more than a year of social distancing and disruptions to seasonal celebrations, we are proud to provide children and families with some excitement!” Children of all ages are welcome. Costumes are optional. While pre-registration is not required, it is preferred. For more information or to RSVP, contact Brandon Whipple, Health & Wellness Director, at bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org or (570) 828-3116.
Greater Scranton YMCA Helping Youth Achieve a Healthy Weight September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and as children and families start their new school-year routines, it’s a perfect time to reflect and refresh your family’s healthy habits. Many families, though, need support changing their habits together in order to help children who are overweight or obese reach and maintain a healthy weight. That’s why the Greater Scranton YMCA — a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving health — wants to help families through improved eating habits and increased physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity affects about 13.7 million, or one in five U.S. children and adolescents. Obesity can increase risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers. Here in Pennsylvania, 14.5 percent of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving the state a ranking of 26 among the 50 states and D.C., according to the State of Childhood Obesity. “Experts are more aware than ever that families need support to change their eating and physical activity habits,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we’re happy to partner with families and offer support as they work to incorporate changes to help kids grow up at a healthy weight.” The Y also encourages families to talk with their health care providers about their children’s health. “You cannot determine whether a child is at a healthy weight simply by looking at them,” explains Fisher. “Working with a health care provider ensures that families receive the proper guidance when it comes to health and their children.” The Greater Scranton YMCA is helping families improve their health and help youth grow up at a healthy weight through incorporating daily physical activity into early childhood education and school age programming, as well as through youth and family memberships, swim lessons, youth sports and more. While outside support is key, developing healthy habits begins at home. The following tips are some great ways to incorporate healthier eating habits and more physical activity and into your daily family routine: Eat & Drink Healthy: Make water the drink of choice and encourage everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables by offering two or three colorful options at every meal. As a family choose a new fruit and veggie every week to taste together. Place a full pitcher of water on the table during meals and allow children to pour their own water. Keep full water bottles available in the car and back packs. Play Every Day/Go Outside: Children should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. Join your children in games that get your hearts pumping and bodies moving. Get Together: Eat as a family as frequently as possible. Involve kids in meal planning, preparation and clean up. In addition, adults should take a break from electronics and spend one-to-one time each day with their kids, enjoying one another’s company. Reduce Recreational Screen Time: Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games should be limited to two hours or less per day. Make a family plan to reduce screen time at home (i.e. turn off screens during meals, charge electronics/screens in the kitchen overnight, go for a walk after a meal, set a timer to remind you to power down the screen). Sleep Well: Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule; unwind together in the evenings by reading a book or listening to soft music to ensure the body is preparing for sleep. Kids are growing and need 10-12 hours of healthy sleep per night and seven to eight hours for adults. To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s youth and family programs, please contact Brandon Whipple at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org, or visit the Greater Scranton YMCA’s website at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
The Greater Scranton YMCA to Host Free Back to Normal Bash and Open House On Thursday, June 3rd, the Greater Scranton YMCA will host a free event open to all members of our community. The Back to Normal Bash will take place from 4:00–7:00 p.m. and will feature free food, beverages, DJ, bounce house, magician and more. The event will take place outside in the back of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s facility in Dunmore. While registration is not required, the first 200 people who RSVP via the Y’s website will receive a FREE T-shirt (adult sizes only)! In addition to the event from 4:00-7:00 p.m., the Greater Scranton YMCA is opening its doors all day for community members to tour the facility and workout for free. For anyone who joins the Y on June 3rd, the joiner’s fee will be waived. “We are so excited to be coming out of this trying year and could not think of a better way to celebrate than to have a traditional family-style barbeque with music and magic,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are proud to open our doors for the day, allowing all members of our community to see what our facility has to offer.” The Y’s Covid-19 safety plan will be in effect during this event. Staff is asking attendees to wear masks, except while exercising, and maintain appropriate distance from others. For more information, visit us online or contact Brandon Whipple, Wellness Director, at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org.
As Communities Return to “Normal,” Water Safety Should Be Top of Mind The Greater Scranton YMCA wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our community’s eagerness to return to a “normal” summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever. For National Water Safety Month this May, the Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety skills with the whole family. “As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Greater Scranton YMCA typically teaches 1,500 children invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year. Last year, though due to COVID-19 precautions, we saw that number dip and want to remind parents and caregivers that it’s more important than ever to keep water safety top of mind as families start to return to their usual summer routines,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. As part of National Water Safety Month, the Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all. 1. Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions. 2. Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times. 3. Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side-effects. 4. Wear a life jacket: Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. 5. Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety. To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s swim programs, including the upcoming Annual Safe Around Water Campaign sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Scranton, please contact Ken Brewster, Aquatics Director, at (570) 828-3112 or kbrewster@greaterscrantonymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA’s Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 2nd Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration will take place Friday, May 21st at Glen Oak Country Club. While the golf portion of the day is sold out (interested golfers can be added to a waiting list), the evening portion of the event is open to everyone, not just golfers, and dinner tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Following the completion of the golf tournament, the evening celebration will begin with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and the dinner/program at 7:30 p.m. Harry McGrath was a proud member of the Greater Scranton YMCA. He specialized in education law, advocating for the rights of all students, particularly those with special needs. It became his passion to improve the quality of education for children living in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the tournament will support the Y’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program, a six-week program serving rising first and second grade students who are struggling with reading and are attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. “Our dad worked tirelessly so that children in this area had the necessary tools to succeed in school,” said Betsy McGrath Ardizoni, Event Coordinator and Greater Scranton YMCA Board Member. “The Summer Learning Loss Prevention program is consistent with his goal of using his legal career to positively impact the lives of the children he was privileged to represent, and our family is humbled and grateful to honor his legacy through a program he would undoubtedly support.” Committed sponsors thus far include: Gold Sponsors: Highmark Health; Universal Printing Company LLCSilver Sponsors: Jen Ricci State Farm; Haggerty, McGrath, Collins, O’Rourke and James Families19th Hole Sponsors: The Perry Law Firm; J. Conrad Bosley Appraisal Services; Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC; Fellerman & CiarimboliBackpack Sponsors: Vanston & James Funeral Home; Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, PC; Topp Business Solutions; P&W/Washo, Inc.; DePietro’s Pharmacy; NET Credit UnionAdditional Sponsors: Frank O’Neill Law Office; The Wood Grille; Helbig Meditation and Arbitration; Malone and Rosetti Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; Timothy and Janet Brier; Joanne Cantafio & Family in Memory of Anthony “Taps” Cantafio; Pat and Christine Philbin; PNC Bank; University of Scranton Athletics; Dick and Richard Conaboy; Maloney Law, P.C.; Northeastern Envelope Company, Inc.; Thomas Lyons and Mesko Glass and Mirror For more information about the tournament, visit the Greater Scranton YMCA’s website or contact Betsy at (570) 768-6118.
