YMCA News Archive

YMCA Opens New Equity Innovation Experience Developed with the Science Museum of Minnesota and Community Partners

jeffrey.needham — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:25:40 +0000

YMCA Opens New Equity Innovation Experience Developed with the Science Museum of Minnesota and Community Partners jeffrey.needham Wed, 01/30/2019 - 08:25

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will celebrate the grand opening of a transformative new Equity Innovation Experience developed with the Science Museum of Minnesota and community partners from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5.

The new Equity Innovation Experience, located in the YMCA Equity Innovation Center on 651 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, is a catalyst to engage the mind on equity, diversity, inclusion and global realities. This interactive exhibit used in conjunction with the Center’s programs provides a unique opportunity to see life from another’s point of view and challenge a person’s mental models of the world. Through this immersive learning process participants gain a deeper understanding of the life paths and experiences present today so they can better serve their communities or reach their customers with greater relevance and comprehension of needs.

“In an increasingly connected world, organizations must adapt to better meet the needs of diverse teams and communities,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO for the Y. “The YMCA’s Equity Innovation Center provides unique opportunities for building transformational leaders and engaging diverse stakeholders from all sectors. By experiencing hands-on training designed to help foster innovative solutions to challenges regarding equity, diversity and inclusion, teams can create a safe environment for authentic conversation and build a lasting culture that values all perspectives.”

Dr. Hedy Lemar Walls, chief social responsibility officer for the Y added, “Organizations are looking for experiences where diverse communities come together for participating in problem solving to shape their own future. The Y’s Equity Innovation Center offers a customized engagement process based on the outcomes the organization wants to achieve.”

Recently 160 students and staff from North Central University participated in the Y’s Equity Innovation Experience as part of its student leadership development program. The goal of the training was to heighten student cultural awareness and leadership skills in the community.

“To my delight, the customized learning process provided current and historical lessons and information about personal and institutional behaviors, and systems of racial discrimination and injustice which challenge our ability to live, work and play in ‘Comm-Unity’,” said Bill E. Green, director of multicultural engagement and support at North Central University. “The outcomes of our experience have been greater conversations and discussions as well as more activities for personal and institutional opportunities to enhance cultural awareness, inclusion and equity.”

Open house attendees will have the opportunity to visit Y leaders and learn more about the YMCA Equity Innovation Center programs and services being offered for all in the community and tour the new Equity Innovation Experience that is used in conjunction with the Center’s customized programs. They will see firsthand how the experiential learning experience includes hand-opportunities to explore cultural markers, wealth disparities, microagressions, implicit bias and the history of race in America. As part of the reflective process and after going through the Equity Innovation Experience, participants debrief and connect with a small group about personal experiences and its impact and how to lead differently going forward.

During the open house there will be a special session What Do You See? with renowned photographer Wing Young Huie at 4:30-5 p.m. with questions and answers following. Huie will discuss his collection of photos featured in the Equity Innovation Center that challenge participants to learn the backstory that will complicate and challenge initial perceptions, opening up perspectives not considered. He will examine how when people look at photographs it shows them how they look at each other.

WHO:
YMCA Equity Innovation Experience Developed with Science Museum of Minnesota and Community Partners

WHAT:
YMCA Open House Celebration of the New Equity Innovation Experience

WHERE:
YMCA Equity Innovation Center on Third Level of the Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae at 651 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402

WHEN:
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
11 a.m.-7 p.m. – Open House
Special Session: What Do You See? featuring renowned photographer Wing Young Huie at 4:30-5 p.m. with questions and answers following.

For more information and to register for the YMCA Open House Celebration of the New Equity Innovation Experience, visit /eicopenhouse. For more information on the programs and services offered at the YMCA Equity Center, visit /EIC.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 162 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 350,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.

YMCA Sponsors St. Paul Winter Carnival Kids Day January 26

jeffrey.needham — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 18:45:58 +0000

YMCA Sponsors St. Paul Winter Carnival Kids Day January 26 jeffrey.needham Wed, 01/23/2019 - 12:45

St. Paul, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will provide activities for the whole family to enjoy at the St. Paul Winter Carnival Kids Day on Saturday, January 26, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

“The YMCA is excited to once again be a part of this important community event,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “The Winter Carnival is an experience for families to enjoy together, and the Y will provide opportunities for all to participate.”

The YMCA will participate in Saturday’s community parade and host fun activities in the Landmark Center from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Y activities at the Landmark Center will include:

Youth sports agility drills led by trained Y coaches
Fitness classes led by trained Y instructors, including a youth dance class and family-friendly boot camp class
Gaga pit camp game
Bounce house
Information about Y programs, including out of school time programs, family engagement, camps, child care, aquatics and more

WHO:
YMCA of the North with the City of St. Paul

WHAT:
St. Paul Winter Carnival Kids Day

WHERE:
Landmark Center at 75 5th Street West in St. Paul, MN 55102

WHEN:
Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

About the YMCA of the North

YMCA Camp Offers Fun for Everyone in a Winter Wonderland

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 20:35:29 +0000

YMCA Camp Offers Fun for Everyone in a Winter Wonderland jeffrey.needham Tue, 01/22/2019 - 14:35

Studies show that outdoor winter activities help get blood pumping and make vitamin D, an essential nutrient the body needs to fight off germs.
Research suggests that exercising during the winter can reduce a person’s chance of catching a cold or the flu.
Research suggests that outdoor play can benefit the mental, emotional and physical development of children.
A National Trust Survey found that kids aged 10 to 16 spend fewer than 15 minutes engaged in vigorous outdoor activity each day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states children ages 8-10 spend almost six hours a day in front of a screen using entertainment media.

The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, offers winter camp adventures for everyone to embrace the great outdoors.

Research shows proximity, views and daily exposure to nature settings increases the ability to focus and enhances cognitive abilities. The YMCA supports a positive relationship with the outdoors year round by providing opportunities for all to realize the benefits of nature during the winter as well as spring, summer and fall.

“The YMCA is committed to providing everyone meaningful outdoor experiences away from TV and computer screens and enjoy nature year round,” said Glen Gunderson, president and chief executive officer for the YGTC. “The Y is asking the community to ‘Get Outdoors’ as part of the Y’s nature initiative to combat nature deficit. Winter camp experiences are a great way to spend time outside and enjoy new experiences with family, friends and the community.”

Gunderson added that the Y offers individual and group opportunities for youth, adults, families and seniors to participate in fun winter activities at camp including:

Sledding
Skiing
Skating
Snowshoeing
Ice fishing
Dog sledding
Hiking
Broomball
Snow fort building
Arts and crafts

Learn about how youth enjoy winter camp - YMCA Camp in All Seasons For Youth

Explore opportunities for families and adults to enjoy winter adventures - YMCA Discover a Winter Wonderland

Discover how camp provides fun outdoor activities year round - YMCA Camp is Not Just for Summer Fun

See how friends, classes, groups, families and individuals enjoy camp - YMCA Camp is for Everyone

To learn more about year round YMCA camp opportunities, please visit ymcamn.org/camps.

Because the Y is a leading nonprofit committed to helping all thrive, financial assistance is available to those in need. With the generous support of donors such as the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and community members, the Y ensures that all have the opportunity to participate. To learn more, please visit ymcamn.org.

ORTHOLOGY CLINICS OPEN IN YMCA SITES ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES

ryan.libby — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:52:55 +0000

ORTHOLOGY CLINICS OPEN IN YMCA SITES ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES ryan.libby Thu, 01/17/2019 - 10:52

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 15, 2019) - Orthology, Inc., is partnering with the YMCA of the North to place Orthology clinics in 22 YMCA sites in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and surrounding communities. These Orthology clinics offer professional and personalized physical therapy to both YMCA members and the general public.

Orthology’s approach to treatment is evidence-based and emphasizes surgery avoidance and rapid recovery. With a sole focus on musculoskeletal health, Orthology clinicians use their hands to alleviate pain and help patients regain flexibility, mobility and resiliency.

The first Twin Cities YMCA-based Orthology clinics opened at the Burnsville, Eagan, Maplewood, Southdale, River Valley and St. Paul Midway Y locations. Additional locations will include Ridgedale, Shoreview, Lino Lakes, White Bear Lake and others later this year. Patients seeking services from Orthology can book appointments by calling (952) 222-5769 or at www.orthology.com. Orthology accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, HealthPartners, Humana, Medica, Medicare, PreferredOne, UCare, UnitedHealthcare, UMR and others.

“Our partnership with the YMCA of the North represents an exciting local collaboration in fitness and health, which are an important part of Minnesota culture,” said David Moen, M.D., executive chairman of Orthology. “Our goal at Orthology is to help people recover quickly and stay active. We think the right kind of care enables the body to do what it wants to do, heal itself – our therapists just remove the barriers. Our patients get better 30 percent faster than the industry average, and our techniques actually take cost out of the health care system. Our partnership with the Y expands our ability to help more people and drive down the cost of health care.”

Y youth in the Beat ‘n Rhymes group performed at the Governor Tim Walz inaugural party and provided a great show for all in attendance

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Y youth in the Beat ‘n Rhymes group performed at the Governor Tim Walz inaugural party and provided a great show for all in attendance jeffrey.needham Mon, 01/14/2019 - 00:00

Y youth in the Beat ‘n Rhymes group performed at the Governor Tim Walz inaugural party and provided a great show for all in attendance.

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Y shares how to reframe New Year’s resolutions and participate in programs to manage diabetes, MS and Parkinson’s Disease

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Y shares how to reframe New Year’s resolutions and participate in programs to manage diabetes, MS and Parkinson’s Disease jeffrey.needham Tue, 01/08/2019 - 00:00

Y shares how to reframe New Year’s resolutions and participate in programs to manage diabetes, MS and Parkinson’s Disease.

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