LIVING STRONG IN TEXAS

Ed Philipp, Rye YMCA Chief Operating Officer

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the LIVESTRONG Assembly in Austin, TX.  I was excited to attend as I had never been to Texas and I figured I would get to learn more about the LIVESTRONG Foundation and maybe even get to meet Lance Armstrong.  Up until this point, my only experience with the LIVESTRONG Foundation was through our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA 12-week physical activity program for cancer survivors. 

The three-day Assembly was broken into two parts.  During the first part, each LIVESTRONG partner, in my case the YMCA, held their own workshops; the second part brought all of the partners and attendees together.  I spent the first two days of the Assembly working with approximately 60 other YMCA professionals who lead LIVESTRONG at the YMCA at their Y’s.  Currently, there are 200 YMCA branches that offer the program and we have served 6,000 survivors collectively.  Sharing and learning alongside other YMCA professionals was a great experience and we will be able to implement a few improvements to our program as a result.

The last day of the Assembly brought together all 500 attendees to explore ways we can collaborate with each other.  It was here that I learned about Camp Kesem.  Camp Kesem is a one-week residential camp run by college students for children who have had a parent with cancer.  The camp is free and seems like a great place for kids to have fun and be around other kids who have had similar experiences. Camp Kesem was founded around ten years ago at Stanford University and now has 37 chapters located at universities and colleges across the country.

The moment everyone was waiting for occurred on the second day of the Assembly during the State of the Foundation Lunch.  Lance Armstrong came out on stage and participated in a Q&A with the LIVESTRONG CEO.  Everyone in attendance was extremely excited to see Lance and hear what he had to say.  A common theme I heard from the many volunteers I met throughout the Assembly was that they were cancer survivors and had read Lance’s book while in treatment.  They, along with Lance, believe in the “obligation of the cured” and by volunteering for the LIVESTRONG Foundation they could give back to others.

On the last day, we were all asked to wear the yellow LIVESTRONG t-shirt we were given at registration.  It was pretty impressive to see 500 people wearing yellow t-shirts in the ballroom of the hotel.  However, I thought it was even more impressive to see all of the yellow t-shirts at the airport once the Assembly was over and everyone was headed home.  My flight out of Austin to Atlanta Friday afternoon had 13 of us wearing our yellow t-shirts and it was quite a sight.

For more information on LIVESTRONG got to www.livestrong.org and for more information on Camp Kesem go to www.campkesem.org. To find out about  LIVESTRONG at the YMCA and to view our video, please visit www.ryeymca.org/livestrong.htm

If you're following me on Twitter or passing me in the hallway, ask me about the thumb-wrestling story.

You can follow Ed on twitter @RyeYCOO

From Health Seeker to Healthy: The Journey Begins

Denise Woodin
Rye Y Director of Community Impact and Social Responsibility

I am a health seeker. 

When I started working at the Rye YMCA a few weeks ago, I didn’t know that there’s a term for people like me—those of us who are well-intentioned, health-conscious, if not health active, exercise wanna-bees, mean- to-bees, if only work, family and other responsibilities didn’t take so much time and energy.  We make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, build strength and eat better.  In 2011, I was determined to lose 15 pounds by Memorial Day.  Like other health-seekers who swell gym membership rolls every January, I tried to find a routine that worked for me.  But when my village pool opened in June, my weight, not surprisingly, was unchanged. My solution?  To  buy a more flattering bathing suit.

(In 2012, my resolution was to know more about the origins of my food; to eat more healthily and humanely. I’m actually making progress on that front, but that’s another story.)

I have told myself that I’m not a couch potato because I go hiking and cycling and swimming with my young daughter.  But the reality is that my most of my career has been spent sitting at a desk.  And when winter sets in, I hibernate in the relative warmth of my apartment, content to watch a movie or play board games with my daughter.  Clearly, I needed to make some changes.

And then I landed an amazing job at the Y.  Sometimes life gives you just what you need when you need it.   As a health seeker, I have no more excuses.  In my brief time at the Y, I’ve been encouraged to take fitness classes.  I’ve gone swimming with my daughter on weekends, and once before the work day started.  Most importantly, I’ve found support for my goals and non-judgment about where I’m starting from.  In the “Let’s Move” class that started last Wednesday, JT and Diana pushed me, just a little, and cheered my panting efforts.

What I’ve learned is that the Y nurtures and supports health seekers. If you are a member, you probably know this to be true.  If you’re not, join me on a health seeking journey.  There’s no better place to do it.

Why I Give to the Y

Here are why some of our neighbors give to the Y:
 

"I’ve been giving since I joined.  I love this place and what it does for the community."

"It is a worthwhile cause.  How can you not give to the Strong Kids Campaign?  The Y does a spectacular job."

"I contribute to the Strong Kids Campaign because I think that every child and family should have the opportunity to participate in all the wonderful programs the YMCA has to offer and their financial situations should not be a barrier to do so. We are helping out these families more than we realize. The YMCA serves as such a wonderful outlet for so many people it would be a shame for someone to miss out because of their financial situation. I see so many people who are so appreciative of what we do for them. I have been so lucky to be a part of this YMCA family. I give to the Strong Kids Campaign so other families can say the same."

"I know that I am helping others that are in need.  It’s my way of giving back."

"I’m here everyday and see  first  hand the positive impact the Y has – especially on kids.  I get an immediate payback by giving to the Strong Kids campaign because I see the confidence and happiness kids get from our camp and other programs."

"The Y is an organization that I know well and I believe in what they do.  I know I make a positive impact  with my donation."

"I like to give back and am fortunate to be in the position to do so."

"The Y has made such a difference in my life and I  feel blessed to be a part of it.  If I can make a difference in another persons  life, it is the least I can do to give back."

"I give because it’s great to know that we can truly make a difference in the lives of the people we serve."

"I started  attending programs the Y at the age of 5.  I learned how to swim and I attended the after school program, along with summer camp. I still remember the time I spent at the Y as a child. I want to give someone else my experience." 

"It feels good to know that my small contribution might help even 1 child have access to Y programs."

"The Y gives both kids and adults the opportunity to interact with each other while pursuing common goals and interests. Health is pursued here, hobbies are developed, friendships are made on a constant basis…if I can help somebody be a part of this place, why not? I donate to the SKC because I think it’s important that everybody have a place to develop themselves. Children and teens should have a place to go and stay out of trouble, adults should have a place to go and socialize while developing a healthy lifestyle, most of all I believe that the Y gives a complete sense of community to its members and I love that I can be a part of helping someone fit in around here."

" I want to see other people get a break."

Why do you give?

Destination 486

If you come by the Y this week, you'll notice tropical decor and staff members wearing Hawaiian shirts and leis.  Yes - we do have spring fever -  but more importantly we have a destination that you can help make possible. We want everyone who walks in our door to know how important our donors are for our community. Our goal is to get more members involved in our cause.

Last year 386 members donated to the Rye Y, assisting hundreds of children and families.  Help us reach our Destination of 486 member/donors this year!

Did you know...

The Y is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on donations from our membership, participants and our community.

Cancer survivors are reclaiming their lives and fnding new strength in LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a physical activity and well-being program, that is free to the participants.

The Rye Y provided over $470,000 in financial aid just last year alone.

Nearly 18% of our summer campers attend camp through Y Cares Financial Assistance.

347 families in our community experienced the Rye Y because of contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign

New Year's Resolutions that Strengthen Your Life & Community

The New Year is a time for new beginnings! For the Y – a leading nonprofit that strengthens community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility – one of the most important resolutions is to resolve to make positive changes that strengthen individuals as well as entire communities. Following are five New Year’s Resolutions the Y recommends for 2012:    

1.    Live Healthier – Achieving greater health and well-being is all about taking small steps. Take care of your health by eating nutritious foods and being physically active each day – experts recommend 30 minutes of daily physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for kids. This can be achieved throughout the day by incorporating physical activity into your daily routines (i.e., taking stairs instead of elevators, walking instead of driving, etc.) The Y offers many fun opportunities for individuals and families to be active.

2.    Volunteer – Doing good feels good, and giving back to support neighbors benefits everyone involved. Volunteering also provides individuals the opportunity to meet new people and to develop new relationships. Find an opportunity in your community that you may enjoy, such as cleaning your neighborhood park or distributing food at a local food bank.

3.    Help Inspire Children and Teens, Be a Mentor – Children and teens often need caring adults to look up to and seek guidance. By nurturing our youth, we can help them strive to accomplish success and reach their full potential. Whether a relative or neighbor, use your experience and talent to help youth realize who they are and what they can be.

4.    Learn Something New – Step out of your comfort zone, have fun and grow by exploring personal interests. Is there a swimming, Zumba or painting class you’ve always wanted to take? Try something new that you’ve always wanted to do, to build your spirit, mind or body. Check out our program guide to get some ideas.

5.    Spend Time with Family and Friends – Socializing is good for your well-being and spending time with the people you care most about really helps strengthen meaningful relationships. It also helpful to have a community of people you can reach out to during times of need. So, try to carve out time each month, depending on your schedule, to connect with family and friends, and to get involved with community organizations, such as the Rye Y. 

Rye Y Member Story - Paying it Forward

This week is Social Responsibility Week at the Rye Y.  Here is a  story about how our  Y Cares financial assistance program has made a difference to a local family.

Holly never thought that she would be in a situation of need. With a 20 month son getting more active every day and entering her 2nd year of unemployment, Holly had a tough choice to make. She could no longer afford her family membership at the Y.

With help from the Y Cares program, she is able to continue bringing her son to child care at the Y and to enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that he is being well taken care of and having fun.

“The Rye Y has given us both a place of joy. I look forward to the time I can pay it forward to the Rye Y.”

Rye Y Member Story - building confidence in the water and out

This week to celebrate Social Responsibility Week at the Rye Y, we are posting  member stories around the building.  Here is Kathleen's inspiring story:

In January, I enrolled in the beginners swim class at the Y. At the time, I was not able to swim the width of the pool, much less take my feet off the bottom of the pool due to a tremendous fear of the water. However, with Viwat’s excellent teaching skills, positive, patient reinforcement and un-ending encouragement, in a short time I was in the deep end of the pool. Over the next months, I advanced with his guidance and caring manner to the intermediate class.

Seven months later, I proudly swam a half mile for Swim Across America, an event quite dear to my heart in honor of cancer patients. I experienced a huge sense of accomplishment, having overcome my fear of the water. I sensed within myself a total life change and overall health benefit.

My next dream is to swim a mile next summer for SAA. Life is good for this senior and Viwat is very much a part of this success.”