YMCA News Archive

North Mpls. YMCA’s ‘Healthy Eating Kitchen’ Teaches Kids Wholesome Habits

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 05:00:00 +0000

North Mpls. YMCA’s ‘Healthy Eating Kitchen’ Teaches Kids Wholesome Habits jeffrey.needham Mon, 04/30/2018 - 00:00

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s something we have to ask ourselves a few times every day: What are we going to eat?

But how much thought do you give it?

A Twin Cities YMCA wants to help kids and their families learn healthy eating habits. And now, this Y has a better way to do it.
At this YMCA in north Minneapolis, these kids are learning about nutrition and cooking. Lessons that will come in handy.

“When I get older, I might not know how to cook and here it’s teaching me how to cook so that when I can get older I can cook things for my elders,” 10-year-old Saryah Harden said.

Harden has been coming to the North Community YMCA for two years. Now, it’s the third Twins Cities YMCA to have a Healthy Living Kitchen.

The goal here is simple: teach kids how to make simple, healthy foods that taste good too.

“Think about it terms of like a cooking class only with a scientific spin,” North Minneapolis YMCA Branch Director Taronda Richardson said.

This will be the hub where K-12 students learn about a healthy diet in a space just for them.

“This place is customized for young people, everything from custom tables that are height-adjustable to the fact that we have very little glass in the facility to ensure it’s safe for young people,” Richardson said.

One of the best ways to learn is by doing.

“I haven’t used a can opener before because my grandma never taught me how to do that, because she said that I might get a little cut and stuff. But now that I’ve learned from the chef I know what I’m doing now,” Harden said.

This healthy eating program isn’t just about making food, but growing it, too. Gardening classes are also on the menu.

And an outdoor space will be the home to a rooftop garden, giving these kids a chance to grow lifelong healthy eating habits.

The Healthy Kitchen program is funded by the Cargill Foundation.

Watch

First-of-its-Kind George Wellbeing Center in Downtown Minneapolis Celebrates Grand Opening on May 4

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 16:05:08 +0000

First-of-its-Kind George Wellbeing Center in Downtown Minneapolis Celebrates Grand Opening on May 4 jeffrey.needham Fri, 04/27/2018 - 11:05

First-of-its-Kind George Wellbeing Center in Downtown Minneapolis Celebrates Grand Opening on May 4

New George Wellbeing Center Developed With Penny and Bill George and George Family Foundation Strengthens Spirit, Mind, Body and Community

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is celebrating the May 4 opening of the first-of-its-kind George Wellbeing Center located on the second floor of the Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae.
The George Wellbeing Center, will connect individuals with evidence-based, holistic healing practices that reduce stress and improve health outcomes. The Center is a space to foster community and self-care. People can come as individuals, families and groups large and small to learn how to prevent or delay chronic illness, restore health, manage chronic conditions and optimize their wellbeing.

Holistic healing services include a free Center orientation and wellbeing assessment, group mind-body classes, health and nutrition coaching, meditation, traditional yoga, massage and acupuncture. The heart of the center is to empower people to be the central agent of their own health and wellbeing.
“We are delighted to finally open the doors of the new wellbeing center in the downtown Minneapolis YMCA,” said Penny George, board chair of the George Family Foundation. “Our hope is that the Center will enable people to learn ways to de-stress and build resilience as well as connect with others working to improve their health and wellbeing. We are enthusiastic about the services that will be available there and hope that members will contribute to its flourishing.”

George added that she believes this community model incorporates deeper dimensions of wellbeing undervalued in healthcare such as meaning and purpose, joy and generosity, and healthy relationships.

“The opening of the George Wellbeing Center marks a milestone for the YMCA by providing holistic healing practices to greater impact the spirt, mind and body of all in our community,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “We’re grateful for the leadership and vision of Penny and Bill George to ensure our community benefits from having the resources to lead thriving lives. As we continue to see a growing need to live more holistically, we hope the Center will be seen as a model for other Ys in the Twin Cities and an influence around the country.”

The grand opening will be an opportunity for the Downtown Minneapolis community to be the first to book a service, get an introduction to nutrition and health coaching, participate in an aromatherapy “make and take” station and relax with a chair massage. In addition, the Center will host a raffle for free services, give away meditation kits and serve green juice, smoothies and gluten-free treats from Sift Gluten Free. YMCA members and nonmembers will have an opportunity to save 25 percent (members) and 15 percent (nonmembers) off their first service.

Services of the George Wellbeing Center are centered on three core tenets:

Be Aware: Assessments, programs, lectures and coaching that empower clients to be central agents of their own health.
Be Centered: Exercise and movement programming, mindfulness and meditation and other mind-body approaches.
Be Restored: Personal services such as massage and acupuncture to aid in chronic stress reduction, pain relief and exercise recovery.

The George Wellbeing Center is open Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Stop in to the Center to schedule a treatment or call 612-465-0468.

For more information on services offered, visit ymcamn.org/georgecenter.

WHO:
YMCA of the North

WHAT:
George Wellbeing Center Grand Opening

WHERE:
George Wellbeing Center Located on Second/Skyway Level of the Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae on 651 Nicollet Mall Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55402

WHEN:
Friday, May 4, 2018 at 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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, seven 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.

Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Celebrates Opening of Healthy Living Kitchen Supporting Childhood Nutrition Education on April 30

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:03:23 +0000

Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Celebrates Opening of Healthy Living Kitchen Supporting Childhood Nutrition Education on April 30 jeffrey.needham Tue, 04/24/2018 - 11:03

Cargill Foundation Partners with YMCA on Minneapolis Kitchen for Youth and Families

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility is celebrating the opening of a new Healthy Living Kitchen at the Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Youth & Teen Enrichment Center.

Located in the nation’s first youth-only YMCA, the Healthy Living Kitchen will incorporate the YMCA’s Healthy Food philosophy by developing a self-sustaining nutrition education to youth and healthy food access source to youth and their parents in the North Minneapolis community. The program, funded by the Cargill Foundation, will provide nutrition education training to YMCA staff, volunteers and partners that result in the improved ability to educate participants on nutrition practices.

“We believe this center will be one of Minneapolis’ most important hubs for families and their children to learn about and sustain good nutritional habits throughout their lives,” said Michelle Grogg, executive director of the Cargill Foundation. “The YMCA—with its wide reach across the North Minneapolis community—is very well suited to lead an effort like this and we are confident that their work will have a lasting impact.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Cargill Foundation to provide access to resources and develop enriching programs that improve healthy habits,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of YMCA of the North. “Youth and families in the North Minneapolis community will experience firsthand fun programs highlighting how to prepare simple, great tasting and nutritious snacks and meals.”

The Healthy Living Kitchen will offer courses that provide hands-on cooking instruction and gardening curriculum and classes for youth grades kindergarten through 12 and their families. The kitchen will also feature community-based workshops for families.
Program partners supporting the education and enrichment programs at the Healthy Living Kitchen include Mind Foundry, Appetite for Change, MatterBox, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) and CityKids Mobile Market.

The celebration will feature Chef Marshall O’Brien presenting on Eating vs. Nourishing, Super Bowl Snack Challenge Winner Naimah recreating her winning dish and youth leading tours of the new Healthy Living Kitchen.

For more information on programs offered at the new YMCA Healthy Living Kitchen, contact Taronda Richardson at taronda.richardson@ymcanorth.org or at North Minneapolis YMCA 612.521.0855.

WHO:
YMCA of the North

WHAT:
Healthy Living Kitchen Opening Celebration

WHERE:
Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Youth & Teen Enrichment Center, 1711 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411

WHEN:
Monday, April 30, 2018
2:30-5:00 p.m.

About the YMCA of the North

About Cargill

Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

We combine 153 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.

YMCA Empowers Young People and Families to Develop Healthy Habits

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:14:04 +0000

YMCA Empowers Young People and Families to Develop Healthy Habits jeffrey.needham Fri, 04/20/2018 - 08:14

YMCA Empowers Young People and Families to Develop Healthy Habits

A November 2017 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects 57 percent of US kids will be obese by age 35.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, six in 10 children did not eat enough fruit and nine in 10 did not eat enough vegetables between 2007-2010.
Ninety-one percent of youth improved or maintained healthy nutrition eating practices and 77 percent improved or maintained behaviors supporting healthy nutrition through engagement in Healthy Kids Initiative strategies.

The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, empowers young people and families to make healthy choices by offering programs that make fitness and nutrition fun through the Y’s Healthy Kids Initiative.

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 the school year. As spring turns to summer, the Y’s Healthy Kids Initiative is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days.

“When a child is healthy, happy and supported they can make great things happen,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “We believe in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. A child’s development is never on vacation and the Healthy Kids Initiative is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind and body throughout the summer as well as the school year.”

Gunderson added the Y’s Healthy Kids Initiative, in partnership with the UnitedHealth Foundation, Target Corporation and Cargill Foundation, helps ensure all youth engage in healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity while in Y care. Youth participants are exposed to wellness concepts through a number of programs and initiatives:

CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) - an evidence-based curriculum designed for youth with best practices in behavior management, youth engagement and inclusion around physical activity and nutrition education.
Youth and Teen Group Exercise Classes - fun, drop in classes such as Little Lotus Yoga, Kids Fitness and Virtual Fitness to get youth moving.
Healthy Living Kitchens - nutritionists and health/wellness professionals share basic cooking techniques while showing young people how to prepare simple, great tasting and nutritious snacks and meals for themselves and their families.
Farm to YMCA - initiative to bring intentional gardening concepts to preschool children at the Y through curriculum, procurement of local foods in catering menus, engagement with local farmers and local food exploration.

Discover how the Club Y program provides opportunities for parents and youth ages 6-12 to stay healthy through fitness, art, cooking and educational classes. – Club Y Helps Build Healthy Families

Learn about the Farm to YMCA, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Prevention and Renewing the Countryside, to introduce preschool children to the concept of gardening, food preparation, and farm to table. – Planting Healthy Habits for the Whole Family

See how a local family has fun being active together. - Finding Fitness for the Whole Family

Because the Y is a leading nonprofit committed to helping all young people and their families thrive, financial assistance is available to those in need. To learn more about the Y’s programs, please visit ymcamn.org.

Twin Cities YMCA focuses on food along with fitness

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Twin Cities YMCA focuses on food along with fitness jeffrey.needham Fri, 04/13/2018 - 00:00

The Greater Twin Cities YMCA serves 800,000 snacks and meals to children each year — and every one of them now includes a fruit or vegetable. To drink? Water or milk.

Juice, fried foods and anything with trans fats and excessive refined sugars are off the menu.

The YMCA, long known for its fitness focus, is turning its attention to food with its new nutrition standards and its Healthy Kids Initiative.

It’s also opening Healthy Living Kitchens in some of its existing locations to teach kids, teens and adults about healthy ways to cook. The newest kitchen will open at the Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Youth & Teen Enrichment Center in north Minneapolis at the end of the month. The other two are in St. Paul and Forest Lake.

“The YMCA as a movement is known for physical activity, and we are really good at physical activity,” said Robin Hedrick, YMCA director of community health. “We also recognize nutrition and nutritious eating is the other half of health.”

Some of the push comes from the Y’s role as a place for young people and provider of after-school and child-care programs.

The number of children and adolescents classified as obese has more than tripled since the 1970s. Now, nearly 20 percent of school-age children suffer from obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Leaders at the Twin Cities Y, which provides care to nearly 60,000 children and teens each year, believe they can beat back this trend one healthy snack, one meal and one cooking lesson at a time.

National stakeholders including the YMCA of the USA, the Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative and University of Massachusetts Boston developed healthy eating and physical activity standards a few years ago. That was the easy part.

Adopting new healthy eating standards across the Twin Cities YMCA’s 29 locations and 17 camps, after-school and child-care programs was the challenge.

The new rules, which are in some ways more stringent than school lunch guidelines, mean no more chicken nuggets, French fries or other cheap, low-nutrition foods.

The Y’s community health team has spent time educating and training staff and working with vendors.

“Hopefully vendors will keep coming up with more products that meet our criteria,” Hedrick said.

Adults will notice some changes, too.

Vending machines at Y locations feature healthy snacks and beverage options. Catered events and parties must adhere to healthy eating requirements — whole grains, veggies and fruit and minimal added sugar. Doughnuts or pastries at staff meetings? Not anymore. When the Y is paying, it needs to be healthy.

Grants from UnitedHealth Foundation, Target Corp. and the Cargill Foundation have helped fund the Healthy Kids Initiative. “It’s helping people live healthier lives and build a healthier community,” said L.D. Platt, a vice president at UnitedHealth Group, which has invested $2.4 million in the Y’s work over the years.

The Healthy Living Kitchen at the Midway YMCA in St. Paul is in a front corner of the building. It feels homey, with dark wooden cabinets and a large island where children and teens can gather around and help cook.

On a recent afternoon, middle schoolers from Eden Prairie worked with head kitchen staffer Jessica Wittwer to make blueberry-beef burgers, oven sweet potato fries and a kale salad. Participants eat what they make and take home the recipes.

Other times, kids have made turkey lasagna with zucchini noodles and quinoa-crusted chicken tenders.

Wittwer said she aims for comfort food with a twist and coaxes kids to get their hands dirty. “You can be messy in here,” Wittwer said. “If you spill, it doesn’t matter.”

Minnetonka mom Dana Fisher is cheering the changes. She tries to serve her three kids nutritious, low-fat meals and snacks and said it’s great that the Y is reinforcing her healthy-eating mantra. When her 10-year-old son, Jamar, enjoys a new recipe at the Y, he urges his mom to try it at home. Last week, they made a healthy snack mix with whole grain cereal and popcorn.

Fisher said she believes establishing healthy eating habits early will save her kids weight and health struggles later on in life.

“It will be easier because they grew up on it,” Fisher said.

Read

Sandwich Generation: Seniors and Stress

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Sandwich Generation: Seniors and Stress jeffrey.needham Tue, 04/10/2018 - 00:00

Everyone can struggle to deal with stress, and seniors are no exception. The YMCA provides an outlet for those with more life experience.

Watch

Youth In Gov’t Model U.N. Conference Is Largest Ever

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Youth In Gov’t Model U.N. Conference Is Largest Ever jeffrey.needham Fri, 04/06/2018 - 00:00

While leaders across the world tackle important issues, more than 800 students here are doing the same, John Lauritsen reports.

Watch

Students test diplomacy skills in huge model UN conference

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Students test diplomacy skills in huge model UN conference jeffrey.needham Fri, 04/06/2018 - 00:00

More than 800 students from across the state traveled to downtown Minneapolis for this weekend's YMCA Model UN conference.

"My job is to make sure discussion flows smoothly and we are able to have a healthy debate," Sarma said.

YMCA program organizer Orville Lindquist says this year's Model United Nations delegation is the largest in the program's 32-year history.

"Students want to be heard and have an impact and they want to find new and interesting ways to do that," Lindquist said.

Minnesota's program is open to grades 7 through 12.

Students work on their policy proposals for weeks at their individual schools leading up to the conference and Sarma said the goal is for delegates reach a compromise in several policy areas.

"It's a really intriguing experience for anyone who comes and visits so I'm sure even members of Congress would have a lot to say and learn from what we do here," Sarma said.

The conference runs through Saturday at the City Center Marriott Hotel.

Read

32nd Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Model United Nations Brings Nearly 800 Youth Together to Learn About Global Issues April 5 – 7

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 17:00:59 +0000

32nd Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Model United Nations Brings Nearly 800 Youth Together to Learn About Global Issues April 5 – 7 jeffrey.needham Mon, 04/02/2018 - 12:00

32nd Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Model United Nations Brings Nearly 800 Youth Together to Learn About Global Issues April 5 – 7

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will bring together nearly 800 students in grades 7-12 at Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Model United Nations April 5–7.

Model U.N. participants represent nations around the world and practice compromise and diplomacy to solve global problems. Topics students will discuss include genetically modified organisms in international trade, illicit trafficking of cultural property, safety of nuclear energy facilities, sustainable tourism, and surveillance and the right to privacy, and more. The goal of Model U.N. is to teach students to be responsible, inclusive world citizens in our global community. Of conference attendees, about 30 percent come from Greater Minnesota and nearly 40 percent are students of color.

“Model U.N. helps students develop a global perspective,” said Orville Lindquist, state program executive for Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government. “They will sharpen their researching, writing and speaking skills, but more importantly, they will grow as leaders and learn to respect opposing points of view and bring about peaceful change in the world.”

WHO:
YMCA Youth in Government

WHAT:
Model United Nations

WHERE:
Marriott City Center, 30 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

WHEN:
Thursday, April 5 – Saturday, April 7, 2018

Media Invited:

Thursday, April 5, Noon- 1:00 p.m. for the opening ceremony or 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. for program sessions
Friday, April 6, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for program sessions

About the YMCA of the North