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 2023 Summer Day Camp The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 2023 Summer Day Camp Program kicks-off on June 12th! Early bird registration closes on March 24, 2023. To register for Summer Day Camp, visit the Y’s facility in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. To learn more about the program, check out the 2023 Summer Day Camp Handbook! It is the goal of our YMCA to provide a healthy, safe and secure environment for all day camp participants. The YMCA teaches us core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Children who attend the program are expected to follow the behavior guidelines and to interact appropriately in a group setting. The goal of the Greater Scranton YMCA programs is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Our summer camp program reflects these values and is designed to help our campers grow mentally, physically and spiritually within a fun camp environment. Our trained camp staff leads campers in challenging activities that help your child grow and learn. The goals and principles of the Summer Camp Program are firmly based on the specific objectives from which our programs operate. We work on developing these principles within each child and in how they interact and develop relationships with others. The principles of Summer Camp are: The achievement of personal growth in spirit, mind and bodyThe formation and practice of socially constructive habits and attitudesThe development of an appreciation of nature and a love of the outdoor environmentThe strengthening of family relationships through parent/guardian participationTo continue educational development through our Summer Learning Program Character Development: At the Greater Scranton YMCA, character development and values are part of who we are. The Y is committed to embracing and demonstrating character through our four core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Our goal is to challenge the children and staff to believe in and act on these positive values. Caring: To love others; to be sensitive to the well-being of others, to help others. Honesty: To tell the truth; to act in such a way that you are worthy of trust; to have integrity; making sure your choices match your values. Respect: To treat others as you would have them treat you; to value the worth of every person, including yourself Responsibility: To do what is right; what you ought to do; to be accountable for your behaviors and obligations. The Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to incorporate QUEST into its Summer Day Camp Curriculum. As staying mentally engaged during the three-month summer educational gap is crucial to the continued academic development of students, QUEST was created to help close the achievement gap. The innovative curriculum offers participants unique academic opportunities while engaging in increased social engagement. This combination provides the opportunity for students to meet, and sometimes exceed, grade level expectations come the beginning of their next school year. QUEST is generously supported by businesses contributing to the EITC Program.
Greater Scranton YMCA Giving Tuesday 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, though, 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 Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 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 Giving Tuesday, 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.” As part of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s fundraising efforts, the Y is proud to participate in AllOne Charities’ Give Day. From Monday, November 28th through Wednesday, November 30th at 4:00pm, AllOne Charities will match contributions participating organizations raise up to $1,000. Donations can be made on AllOne Charities’ Give Day donation form or mailed to 83 East Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Checks must be made payable to AllOne Charities and need to be received by December 8th in order to count towards bonuses. For more information or for questions on how to donate to the Greater Scranton YMCA or participate in AllOne Charities’ Give Day, contact Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director, at mcarnevale@greaterscrantonymca.org or (570) 828-3113.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In October, 2022, the Trustees of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation authorized a one year Capital Grant award to the Greater Scranton YMCA in the amount of $500,000. The grant will support capital renovations at the YMCA, including the re design of the welcome center, the newly constructed commercial and teaching kitchens, the creation of dedicated community space and aging infrastructure. While a lot has changed at the Greater Scranton YMCA since March, 2020, our pledge hasremained, to always be here in times of need. When the devastating effects of COVID 19swept across the country and landed on our doorsteps, we quickly mobilized to determinehow to best serve our community. Our capital renovations will continue to allow our Y toaddress the growing needs our community faces as we work to heal the whole person andreturn to normal. Construction began in September, 2021 and ended in March, 2022. “We are so grateful to The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation for their incredible generosity in turning our dreams into a reality,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Our recently completed capital renovations have allowed our Y to increase the number of healthy meals and snacks we provide the children in our care; provide our members and community with space to convene; ensure for a secure welcome center; and address infrastructure concerns.”
The YMCA Diabetes Awareness Month November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and a time for all Northeastern Pennsylvania residents to assess their risk for developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Following a year of reduced activity due to COVID-19, statistics show prediabetes rates are on the rise. Currently, 96 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes and 8 out of 10 of them do not know they have it. In addition to the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, people with prediabetes are also at risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke.Prediabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. To address this issue, the Greater Scranton YMCA offers the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, which helps overweight adults achieve moderate weight loss through healthier eating and increased physical activity, potentially preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a group-based lifestyle intervention for adults at high-risk of developing type 2 diabetes and has been shown to reduce the number of new cases of diabetes by 58 percent overall and by 71 percent in adults over 60. “We know that adults with diabetes do not live as long as those without it, and that their medical expenses are over 2 times greater than others,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program provides a safe and supportive environment where people can learn to change behaviors and potentially decrease chances of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.” Individuals can assess their risk for prediabetes by taking a simple 1-minute risk test at cdc.gov/prediabetes/takethetest. Through this assessment, visitors can also learn how lifestyle choices and family history help determine the ultimate risk for developing the disease. Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include race, age, weight and activity level. If a person is at risk, a diabetes screening conducted by a physician can confirm a diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led National Diabetes Prevention Program, is a 12-month evidence-based program that features a lifestyle coach who helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes during 25, one-hour classroom sessions. Long-term program goals include reducing participants’ body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increasing physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Nationally, more than 70,000 people participated in the program at over 1,100 sites in 47states throughout the country. Participants who completed the year-long program lost anaverage of 5.5 percent of body weight and completed an average of 168 minutes of physicalactivity per week. For more information about how to qualify for access to the YMCA’s Diabetes PreventionProgram, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at (570) 828-3116 or visit theY online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
YMCA’s Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration on September 16th The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 3rd Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration will take place Friday, September 16th 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: Universal Printing Company LLCSilver Sponsors: Jen Ricci State Farm; Haggerty, McGrath, Collins, O’Rourke and James Families19th Hole Sponsors: J. Conrad Bosley Appraisal Services; NET Credit Union; Fellerman & Ciarimboli; Northeastern Envelope CompanyBackpack Sponsors: The Perry Law Firm LLC; Vanston & James Funeral Home; Malone & Rosetti Wealth Management; Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, PC; Topp Business Solutions; Titan Tree Service, Inc.; Atlas Landscape Contractors; Matrix Fitness; Fidelity BankAdditional Sponsors: Thomas Lyons; P&W/Washo, Inc.; Energy Smart; Barrett Law, LLC; Alliance Wealth Management; Mesko Glass; O’Donnell Law Offices; Joanne Cantafio & Family in Memory of Anthony “Taps” Cantafio; Community Bank; A Gift in Memory of Cody Jude Barrasse; Shrive Law, LLC; Judge Robert Mazzoni; PNC Bank; Pat & Christine Philbin; Wasco Insurance; University of Scranton Athletics; Bender Private
The Greater Scranton YMCA Childhood Obesity Awareness 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 14.7 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, 15.1 % of all youth ages 0-17 have obesity, according to https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/states/pa/. “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 youth sports programs and incorporating daily physical activity into early childhood education programs, like before and after school care, summer camp, daycare and preschool. 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 sports and healthy living programs, please contact Brandon Whipple, Wellness Director, at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA kicks Off Summer with Annual Healthy Kids Day The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® this Saturday, May 21st, encouraging families to take a moment to help kids be kids and set them up for a summer of success. Sponsored by Howard Johnson® by Wyndham, the day-long event will feature activities such as a petting zoo, rides, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, a kid’s fun run and more to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home. “At the Y, we believe in the potential of all children and each day we work to help kids find that potential within themselves,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event to kick off summer and remind us all how important it is for kids to stay active physically and mentally throughout the summer.” Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022, Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The Y hopes to use the day to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy habits they can continue while they’re away from the classroom. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than during the school year. With all that’s going on in the world right now, Healthy Kids Day is a reminder to families that we can help ensure all children have access to what they need to reach their full potential, even during out-of-school time. Keeping Kids Healthy All Summer LongIn celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect: High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month. Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants—and 30 minutes a day goes a long way! Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading. Encourage youth to create their own stories as well. Get Moving! – Activities that require movement also help kids flex their mental muscle. Use materials in unique ways: ask youth to build models, manipulate tools or develop their own theatrical scenes. Play Together – Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong. Make Sleep a Priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning. The Greater Scranton YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will take place at the Y’s facility, located at 706 N. Blakely Street, Dunmore, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The Kids Fun Run (pre-registration not required) will begin with the 3-5-year-old race from 10:30-10:40 a.m. followed by ages 6-9 from 10:45-10:55 a.m. and the 10-14-year-old race from 11:00-11:10 a.m. Additional features of the day include a petting zoo, rides, vendor fair, face painting, healthy cooking demonstrations and more.Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Matrix Fitness, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Bank, Rainey & Rainey CPA, Topp Business Solutions, Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, Brucelli Advertising and NET Credit Union. For more information, contact Brandon Whipple, Wellness Director, atbwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org or call (570) 828-3116 or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
The Greater Scranton YMCA We Are Y Program The Greater Scranton YMCA believes all individuals should have access to opportunities that allow them to grow stronger in mind and body. The YMCA is excited to announce its We Are Y Program has officially returned. 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.We Are Y will help build individuals’ developmental skills, personal strengths, creativity, cognitive and non-cognitive skills through swimming, movement, music, arts, and much more, all while taking place in a safe and nurturing environment. The program is generously supported by grant funding from AllOne Charities. “The Y is a community organization open to all,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Through We Are Y, we are proud to provide individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as their families, with access to all the Greater Scranton YMCA has to offer!” We are Y is open to individuals (children and adults) ages 10 and up who have developmental disabilities. Participants’ families are welcome to attend. The program is free and open to Greater Scranton YMCA members and non-members and is held on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (beginning February 16th). Participants must register each month. To register, visit the YMCA online at https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/programs/40053/we-are-y/?locations=13. For more information on We Are Y, contact Natalie Wasilchak at nwasilchak@greaterscrantonymca.org.
NET Credit Union Donates to The Greater Scranton YMCA NET Credit Union donated $10,000 to The Greater Scranton YMCA to benefit their 2021 Capital Campaign. The Capital Campaign benefits renovations to serve their community better. The YMCA currently offers numerous programs to benefit all ages and demographics of our local community. The donations from The Capital Campaign will go towards a new kitchen that will benefit current and future programs and a new Welcome Center that will be more “user friendly” and secure for both staff and members. These updated areas will allow The YMCA to offer more programs and services. The YMCA is a Preffered Partner Group of NET Credit Union. This means all staff is able to Bank On NET. We apprecaite all of our relationships with our Preffered Partners, especially ones that benefit our local community like The Greater Scranton YMCA.
