Greater Scranton YMCA to Host “Thriving Together” On Saturday, June 29th the Greater Scranton YMCA will host “Thriving Together,” a free community event being held to acknowledge and celebrate that Mental Health is Wealth, and to encourage all those that participated in, and from, the YMCA s Wellbeing Initiative programming to continue engaging in activities and/or practices to support their mental and emotional health. The family friendly event will be held from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at the Greater Scranton YMCA’s facility, located at 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore, PA 18512, and will feature a photo booth, the Alpacas of Windy Haven Farm, multiple inflatable activities, 9-hole mini golf, climbing rock wall, face painting, a band and more. All are welcome. In 2022, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded an approximate $1.836 million dollar grant through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), made possible through Community Project Funding from Congressman Cartwright’s office, to support the Wellbeing Initiative. The project is a collaborative effort between the Greater Scranton YMCA, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA (which includes the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA and Greater Pittston YMCA), Greater Carbondale YMCA and Wayne County YMCA. Since the Y Wellbeing Initiative began in 2023, more than 11,500 people have taken a proactive approach to their mental and emotional health by participating in YMCA Wellbeing Initiative programming throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania with our youngest participant being 10 months old and our oldest being 102 years old, spanning over a century of lived experience. Through the Wellbeing Initiative, participants had the opportunity to engage in programming such as Groove and Grow with Me, Thriving Minds, The Art of Connection, Calm Your Mind Yoga, Sound Meditations, Drums Alive, Art 4 Healing, Hatha for Healing, Healthy Minds in Harmony, Food Mood and many more. “The Wellbeing Initiative has provided our YMCA with the opportunity to support the mental and emotional well-being of our community through free programs for all,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are so grateful to Congressman Cartwright for allowing us to bring this initiative to life.” For more information about the Thriving Together event, contact Katie Moran, Coordinatorof the Wellbeing Initiative, at kmoran@gsymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In June, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $7,000 Youth Sports Access Grant from YMCA of the USA. Grant funding will be utilized to provide 125 children with one free session (one month) of youth sports programming. Funding will also support the purchase of much-needed youth sports equipment, including equipment for youth basketball, youth soccer and youth pickleball. Through this project, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to increase access and equity in youth sports. Thus, scholarships for low-income and/or underserved youth 14 and under will be prioritized. “Here at the Y, we believe all children should have equal access to youth sports,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “For many families, though, the financial resources are not available. Thanks to grant funding from YMCA of the USA, we are so proud to provide children in our community with the resources needed to participate in youth sports programming at our YMCA.” The Greater Scranton YMCA has created a form that families who are interested in participating in youth sports can complete. After 125 responses have been received, the YMCA will close the form. The form will open on Monday, June 24th and it can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLOTfmBC3xNvYYbxTd6meCCWgrMtcis-K9QBd6g0Ydi0JJ5g/viewform?usp=sf_link. For more information about this scholarship opportunity and youth sports at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In April 2024, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support the purchase of outdoor playground equipment at the Y’s new Early Learning Center in Olyphant. The center opened in April 2024. Through the opening of the new center, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to offer our community much needed childcare services, allowing parents to work knowing their child(ren) are in a safe and nurturing environment. The center will provide children with the tools and resources needed for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the outdoor playground equipment will provide children with daily opportunities for outdoor play. The new center, which is licensed to serve up to 125 children, will also aid jobseekers, creating 16 full-time and two part-time positions. “It’s because of the incredible generosity 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 Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The opening of our second early learning center will allow our Y to provide care to the substantial number of children and families in need of childcare services. The outdoor playground will be such a wonderful asset to the center.” For more information about early childhood education at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Tressa Parker, Senior Director of Education, at tparker@gsymca.org or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
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.
The Dime Bank Donates to the YMCA Project The Dime Bank donates $124,250.00 to the YMCA Project through the Department of Community and Economic Development under the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit Program. The Wayne County YMCA has outgrown the current historical building and needs a new facility as the current facility is becoming too costly to operate. The Dime Bank believes in supporting our community by partnering with many non-profits. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Roche stated, “The Dime Bank aspires to be an integral part of the neighborhoods that we service and where our customers and employees work, raise their families, and live. We are proud to help create a modern, state-of-the-art facility for everyone to enjoy.” “A community project of this size and scope would not be possible without the support of The Dime Bank. Their donation of $124,250.00 will enable us to complete phase 1 of this project which includes the development and completion of engineering/design work, site development plans, sewage design, and various permits. We thank The Dime Bank for their commitment and participation in this critical community project,” stated YMCA Board President Jennifer DeYoung.
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.
Greater Scranton YMCA Kicks Off Summer with Annual Healthy Kids Day The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on 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 30thanniversary 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 Long In 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. TheGreater Scranton YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will take place atthe 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 byHighmark Blue Cross Blue Shield,Community Bank,Johnson,Matrix Fitness,Rainey & Rainey CPA,Topp Business Solutions,Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates,Brucelli Advertisingand NET Credit Union. For more information, contact Brandon Whipple, Wellness Director, at bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org or call (570) 828-3116 or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
Great Summers Start at The Greater Scranton YMCA Registration is open for Summer Day Camp at the Greater Scranton YMCA. The 2022Summer Day Camp Program will begin June 13th. Day camp at the Y provides kids with adventure, healthy fun, personal growth and friendships that can take a so-so summer and turn it into a memory that lasts a lifetime. The Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Day Camp provides a welcoming environment for kids where they can belong, build relationships, develop character and discover their potential. “The Greater Scranton YMCA believes all kids deserve the chance to experience summer camp,”said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “From physical fitness to summer learning and from enrichment activities to social engagement, our summer day camp program provides opportunities for all children to learn, grow and thrive.As a charity, we turn no one away for an inability to pay and are proud to provide financial assistance to families in need.” The Greater Scranton YMCA will incorporate summer learning into its Summer Day Camp Program through QUEST. As staying mentally engaged during the three-month educational gap is crucial to the continued academic development of students, QUEST was created to help bridge the gap between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. Certified teachers cover science, math, reading comprehension and more through hands-on projects. The program is offered to summer day campers in kindergarten through eighth grades and is integrated into their daily curriculum. To learn more about the 2022 Summer Day Camp Program and the availability of financial assistance, visit the Y online or contact Matt MaCart, After School and Summer Day Camp Director, atmmacart@greaterscrantonymca.org or call (570) 729-5411, ext. 3115. About the Y The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children –regardless of age, income or background –to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. https://greaterscrantonymca.org/
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.
