Tag Archives: Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA

YCMA Offering After School Programs

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YMCAA new school year is filled with potential—a chance to start new routines and habits, build new friendships and discover new possibilities and interests. It’s an exciting time for many kids, however—at the end of the school day, 11.3 million kids head to homes where they are unsupervised form 3 to 6 p.m. according to Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness organization.

As children transition from summer to fall, the Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs are proud to offer programs to school-aged children to keep youth active, busy and engaged during out-of-school time. Through a well-rounded approach to youth development, the Ys’ programs offer activities in a caring and safe environment during the critical hours after school. Whether through sports, mentorship, or academic support, the Y nurtures the potential of youth throughout the school year.

“One in five children do not have someone to care for them after school, an essential time to help increase children’s success in school,” said Meghan Carnevale, Senior Director of Mission Advancement & Marketing, Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs. “Afterschool at the Y is an opportunity for families to ensure their kids are receiving additional support, continued learning and a chance to participate in meaningful activities that can inspire children’s motivations and abilities to succeed.”

For more information about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s afterschool program, please contact Janine Shaffer, Youth Director, at jshaffer@greaterscrantonymca.org or visit www.greaterscrantonymca.org. For more information about the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA’s afterschool program, please contact Jennifer Brennan, Director of Education and Child Care Services, at jennifer.brennan@wbymca.org or visit www.wbymca.org.

YMCA Offers Swim Instruction Scholarships

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YMCAAs part of the YMCA’s commitment to reduce drowning rates and keep kids safe in and around the water, the Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs will provide scholarships for swim instruction and water safety to children from under-served communities in the Scranton & Wilkes-Barre regions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages one to 14 years old. In ethnically diverse communities, the youth drowning rate is two to three times higher than the national average, according to a USA Swimming study. Additionally nearly six out of 10 African American and Hispanic/Latino children are unable to swim, nearly twice as many as their Caucasian counterparts.

“Educating children how to be safe around water is just as important as teaching them to look both ways before they cross the street,” said Diana Dempsey, Senior Aquatics Director, Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs. “The Y’s teaches children of all ages and backgrounds that water should be  fun, not feared, and this practice not only saves lives it builds confidence.”

The Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety for more than 150 years.  The Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs continue to help youth and adults experience the joy and benefits of swimming, so they can be healthy, confident and secure in the water. There are a variety of programs to choose, including swim lessons for all ages, family swim, competitive swimming, water aerobics and more.

In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children can increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming also motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing—skills that last a lifetime.

To learn how to qualify for financial assistance, visit our websites or call: www.greaterscrantonymca.org, (570) 342-8115, or www.wbymca.org, (570) 823-2191.

 

Area YMCAs use grant to develop Chronic Disease Departments

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YMCAThe Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs recently received a three-year, $125,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to support the implementation of the nationally recognized Diabetes Prevention Program, as well as the Chronic Disease Programs Departments at both Ys. The Ys are proud to announce the funding has allowed for the hiring of Shadia Lahlou, Senior Director of Chronic Disease Prevention, as well as Chronic Disease Programs Departments at both Ys.

Shadia Lahlou recently completed a Master of Science in Social Work degree at The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Health degree at The University of Texas Health Science Center. Shadia believes that health is a human right for all. She aims to integrate her clinical and macro skills, and social and environmental perspectives to address health disparities and promote health equity. Shadia’s experience spans practice, policy, and research and includes aging adults, childhood chronic illness, nutrition and physical activity, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental and behavioral health.

“Health starts in communities – the spaces where we live, work and play throughout our life course,” said Shadia.

“The new Chronic Disease Programs Department is reflective of the YMCA’s partnership with the community to prevent illness and enhance wellness. We are excited to announce that joining the YMCA’s diverse health initiatives is the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, which helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their chances of developing the disease through lifestyle change. I look forward to collaborating with community partners, and individuals and their support networks to foster a healthier community.”

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a program that helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being. The program joins existing Chronic Disease Programs, creating Chronic Disease Programs Departments at each Y in an effort to more efficiently and effectively serve more people. Additional programs include EnhanceFitness, a proven community-based senior fitness and arthritis management program; LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a small-group program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis; as well as additional cardiac and wellness initiatives at both facilities.

For more information on Chronic Disease Programming at the Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs, contact Shadia Lahlou at shadia.lahlou@wbymca.org or 570-970-5052. Information can also be found at www.greaterscrantonymca.org or www.wbymca.org.