For A Better Us

Maria was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, South America.  She is the youngest of six girls. As a youth, Maria had the opportunity to participate in many sports, including competitive tennis, swimming, and participated in the Colombian National Synchronize Swim Team. She is very proud of her Hispanic Heritage and feels very fortunate to be able to share it with many Y staff. Hispanics are warm welcoming people and they love to celebrate with dancing and food. Building relationships is in the DNA.

She has lived in different areas of the country since the 80’s: New Jersey, Las Vegas, North Carolina and Florida. These experiences have giving her a great appreciation for many cultures.  While in Florida and NC, she developed and implemented community-based programs that provide services to Hispanic populations. Her first experience with the Y was many years ago while she attended high school in New Jersey. When she was part of the high school swim team, the school team practice every week at a local Y in Randolph, NJ. She was new in this country and participating in the swim team helped her feel like she belonged. This is the place where she made her first American friends.

She started her professional Y career over 20 years ago in North Carolina as the Program Director of the Hispanic Achievers. She had multiple roles including the Executive Director of Childcare.  After 9 years, she took a position with the YMCA of the USA national office as a Technical Advisor for a National Program: “Welcoming Hispanic Families.”  Three years later, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida to join the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast to lead the Youth Development department. Currently, she is the VP of Operations and Youth Development. Maria has been able to stay true to her passion since she was a little girl, which impacts the lives of youth and families. She feels very fortunate to work for an organization that is nimble enough to become what the community needs. In 2019, Maria opened the New American Welcome Center, located off Old Kings Road South in Jacksonville. This project has been a dream for many years, and with the help of leadership, partners and staff, this dream became a reality. The center was the first of its kind within the Ys in the state of Florida.  It continues to provide needed services to the new immigrant community.

She has been volunteering for many years as a member of the Steering Committee for the YMCA National Hispanic LatinoLeadership Network, one of the Employee Resource Groups. She co-leads the Professional Development Program, and she is passionate about helping Hispanic staff advance in the national YMCA movement. “I want them to see the Y as a long life career opportunity.”

Maria has had the opportunity to travel internationally to South Africa to support the work the YMCA does in many of this country’s cities. She also makes sure to visit the Y in Colombia when she travels back to visit her family. She was part of the task force who helped in the post Hurricane Maria efforts at the Puerto Rico YMCAs. In addition, she has mentored staff in San Juan and delivered bilingual trainings to its staff. The worldwide reach of the Y is one of the many aspects she loves about this organization.

Statement from Eric K. Mann, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast President and CEO, Regarding New Town Shooting

We are outraged and saddened by the senseless hate and violence that claimed three innocent lives. Our community can and must do better. Now is the time for us to come together to love and support the victims’ families and stand together against this and other hateful acts.

We must each play a role in creating a safer and more welcoming community. We must encourage one another to build a more inclusive Northeast Florida. We must protect the rights of every person in our community, including the right to safely complete errands on a Saturday afternoon.

Now, more than ever, we must inspire and empower one another to stand together against hate.

I am a proud member of the YMCA Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Network (APILN) International Leadership Institute (ILI). The APILN selected 7 YMCA leaders from across the United States, all of whom are ofAsian-Pacific Islander descent, to join in a year-long commitment as members of the 2022-2023 ILI cohort.  The ILI is designed to cultivate leadership skills, cultural competencies, cross-cultural understanding while creating a platform for intercultural dialogue and learning in the YMCA movement.  In April 2023, the APILN-ILI group embarked on an international trip to Asia in an effort to bring back experiences, knowledge and collaborative opportunities to our respective YMCA communities. Let us tell you what we saw, who we met and what we did on this unforgettable journey. We all experienced personal and professional growth, while gaining a new perspective and expanded vision of the YMCA Global Movement.

After 5 months of virtual meetings, the APILN-ILI cohort met in-person for the first time at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and began this adventure together with anticipation and excitement as we were led by Ms. Trang Truong-Hill, YUSA Director of Global Services.

During the 10-day journey, our team met with key YMCA and community leaders of South Korea and the Philippines for cultural understanding, support and information sharing.

SOUTH KOREA

Our learning in Korea focused on the history of war and the road to peace and reunification, including progress in key areas such as youth empowerment, civic engagement, climate action, university YMCAs, international programming and more. YMCA Korea is part of a collective effort to strengthen peace efforts with Korea and Japan and helping to build awareness of this important cause.

We are grateful to our hosts, National General Secretary Kim Kyung Min and International Secretary Deaun Yang, who curated a special program that provided access to spaces not typically available to visitors as well as insight into local history and culture.  <see PHOTO 1>

One of the most powerful moments was a special tour in Cheorwon-Gun, a county in Gangwon Province located next to the border with North Korea in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

By Stephanie

In April 2020, I moved to Nassau County with my son Sirius in hopes of a brighter and better future.  I had concerns about finding childcare where Sirius would fit in, but most importantly, somewhere safe, welcoming and affordable.  My neighbor and staff at Sirius’ elementary school suggested YMCA’s AfterSchool Program, so I applied for financial assistance and found that childcare at the Y was not a financial burden, but a relief.  More importantly, Sirius immediately started making friends with ease.

The AfterSchool staff were very accommodating to Sirius’s needs, took time to get to know him as an individual and ultimately became mentors and a new support system.  Needless to say, we will forever be grateful for such an amazing first experience with this Y program.

Soon, we joined the YMCA at Wildlight and were able to take advantage of all the Y has to offer.  The Y membership allows me to take time for myself.  Being a single mom, I spend so much time and energy making sure my child has everything.  The Y membership gives me an opportunity to do something for myself- take care of my own spirit, mind and body. I found my own sense of community.  From group exercise to making new friends, the Y has become the place that allows me to build my support structure.

Sirius thrives in the programs and looks forward to seeing his Y friends daily in karate class, summer day camp and so much more.  The Y provides a place where my son has a sense of community, a place where my son is surrounded by good role models that help him manage his confidence, teach responsibility, empathy and respect for other.  It feels so good knowing that my son has a safe, welcoming, nurturing place to learn and grow.

As a financial assistance recipient, I admire how the staff team makes my family feel so welcomed.  Sometimes asking for help is hard and even embarrassing.  But not at the Y!  Everything is handled with care and everyone is genuinely happy we are members. We immediately felt like we were joining a family. Our Y family.

We will forever be grateful for all the Y has done to strengthen our family and for the generous donors who helped make this possible for us through the financial assistance program.

The YMCA Saved Our Lives

By: Shantel Davis, First Coast YMCA Member and Board Member, Metropolitan Board of Directors

Could you jump into a pool to save someone’s life? In the deep end? What if it was your child? That’s a scary thought, but it’s a nightmare I lived through when my daughter was five years old. Had both of us not learned how to swim at the YMCA, she might not be alive today. 

It was clear from a young age McKinley was a fish. She took swim lessons at the YMCA when she was two years old and loved it. It’s so important to get your kids in the water early so they develop critical skills that’ll last a lifetime.

That was never more evident than the day she got stuck in a neighborhood pool. She was maneuvering her body to try and free herself, but she was trapped. There was no lifeguard on-duty, so I jumped in and pulled my daughter out. She wasn’t breathing, so I administered CPR and was able to revive her before taking her to Baptist Medical Center, where Dr. Neeraj Neval, Neocritical Care ICU Medical Director took over.

I remember sitting in the emergency department, soaking wet, wondering what would happen next. I knew my daughter would survive, but would she be afraid of the water for the rest of her life? I didn’t have to wait long to find out.

About a month later, our neighbors asked us if we wanted to go the Williams Family YMCA to watch their kids take swim lessons. I immediately tensed up. I remember thinking the only way my daughter was going to be around a pool again was if we sold our house and bought one with a pool so we could constantly keep an eye on her. Reluctantly, I agreed to go with our neighbors and McKinley came too. 

I’ll never forget that car ride. She initially stared quietly out the window but then spoke up. 

“Do I have to get in the water?” she asked. 

“No, of course not,” I replied.

A few minutes passed.

“If I just want to put my feet in, can I?” she said. 

“Yes, if you want,” I answered.

We eventually got to the pool and after watching her friends go through their class, McKinley stood up and said, “I’m ready.” 

When she jumped in, I immediately started crying and thanking God for seeing us through this.

My brave little girl, who I had to bring back to life just a month prior, fearlessly got back in the water and started swimming like nothing had happened.

It’s incredible to witness the heart of a child but in that moment, it was just as moving to see the heart of everyone at the pool. As soon as McKinley started swimming, they all started to applaud and cheer. They didn’t know our story and what she had been through. Rather, they were cheering simply because that’s what the Y family is about – we support one another to live healthy and fulfilling lives. I’ve never felt more supported at the Y than I did that day.

Because we live in Florida, we’re almost always around water. Still, there are a surprising number of adults and children who don’t know how to swim. If that’s you or your child, please reach out to your local Y and sign up for lessons. If it’s important for your child to breathe, it should be just as important for them to learn how to swim. I know what it’s like to see my child not breathing, but because she and I both know how to swim, she’s alive today and enjoying the water, like every kid should.

Personal Training Through Life’s Ups and Downs

As an avid athlete participating in half marathons and endurance bike riding, Richard Robinson has always led an active lifestyle. Looking for a place to maintain his fitness, he and his wife joined the First Coast YMCA. Richard would come to the Y about once a week for a spin class while his wife could’ve been described as a “gym rat”, working out about 5-6 times a week. That is until she unexpectedly passed away in March 2022.

Grieving from a tragic loss and looking to fill his time after retirement, Richard returned to the First Coast YMCA two months later. However, he needed something different. He needed professional guidance and someone who was going to push him physically and give him an outlet to process his trauma. After assessing Rich’s situation, Director of Community Integrated Health Programs Connie Smith paired him with personal trainer Shelley Zawatsky.

“What Rich was looking for was for an individual that would help propel him to do the races,” said Connie. “But he was also looking for someone who would push him since he is pushed all the time.” Shelley did not hold back. With 17 years of experience as a personal trainer, she knew how to challenge Richard with full body workouts, while keeping him accountable to continue his sessions. Shelley used Richard’s athletic background as motivation for his upcoming races to train him with a goal in mind.

Because of these training sessions, Richard found a place that became his community and gave him not only a place to exercise, but a place to create friendships. Making the YMCA part of his routine helped him feel like he used to.

Ready to be back on the bike, Richard embarked on the Three Rivers Ride in St. Marys, Georgia. After completing the 62-mile race, Richard was celebrating with friends and fellow racers, including Connie Smith, when the unexpected happened. Instead of enjoying a well- earned beverage, he was being rushed to Baptist Medical Center after suffering a stroke.

Thankfully, Connie had recognized the symptoms of a stroke early enough and Richard was treated quickly while enduring minimal physical damage.

The stroke didn’t stop him, and Richard didn’t want all of his hard work to go to waste. After only four weeks, he was already back training with Shelley. “He has done better than I could ever imagine,” she said. “All we did was lower the weights, but the workouts were the same.” Through these ups and downs of life, the sessions continued to give Richard the need for consistency to help him feel back to where he was pre-stroke. “I’m still a slow runner though,” he joked.

No matter what is going on in your life, the First Coast YMCA will be there if you are ready to train and put the work in. The Y will meet you at wherever you are physically and push you toward your goals. Richard is back to running and biking, and even led a pacing group in the 2023 DONNA Half Marathon.

Richard’s athletic background made him a great candidate to continue with Shelley on his road to recovery through personal training. However, his case is not the same as for all stroke survivors. Those looking for recovery through physical activity should consider the Stroke Wellness program partnered with Brooks Rehabilitation. Individuals can participate in this program as long as they need to with the goal to restore strength, endurance and agility. Learn more about this and other adaptable wellness programs here.

Like the Y, schools are places that connect and engage and inspire a brighter tomorrow. We applaud all of our educators and school employees on the First Coast.

Thank you.

To show our gratitude, every teacher and school employee in Northeast Florida gets FREE access to any First Coast YMCA the entire month of May.
Plus – all teachers and school employees are eligible for these specials when they join the Y:

• NO JOINING FEE – Save up to $100!
• Monthly Discount on Membership Dues*

This is just a small way that we’re able to give back to those who give so much.

The Y offers programming and activities for all ages, interests and abilities including group exercise classes, virtual fitness, chronic disease prevention, nutrition, swimming, basketball, pickleball, camp, before and afterschool child care, volunteer opportunities and so much more.

We’re here to help our neighbors focus on what matters most: their health, their family and friends, and their community.

Join online today or, for more information, please contact your local Y.

*Monthly discount good for as long as the membership remains active and in good standing. Discount may vary by county. Contact your local Y for more information.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! As part of the Y’s commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re joining youth serving organizations across the country by participating in the Five Days of Action—a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it. By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing abuse prevention practices year-round, the Y is committing to the safety of all children in our community.

The Five Days of Action enforces critically important habits — KNOW. SEE. RESPOND. — which enable us to understand how and when abuse happens, recognize the signs of abuse, and quickly and appropriately respond to it. When we embrace these habits, we foster a culture of child abuse prevention—a culture of happy and healthy children!

We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too. Make your commitment alongside us today. Learn more about protecting the children you love at www.fivedaysofaction.org.

Resources

• 5 Steps to Protecting Our Children
• Body Safety & Boundaries
• Checklist for Safer Sleepovers
• Information for Parents of Young Children

Five Days of Action is an initiative of the YMCA Champions for Child Protection created and designed by Darkness to Light, with support from YMCA of the USA, The Redwoods Foundation, The American Camp Association, and the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.

What is Mindful Eating?

Mindfulness is rooted in bringing full awareness and attention to the present moment. Mindful eating is based on the same principles, just with food. Mindful eating is all about paying attention to the food you are eating like taking in the appearance, texture, flavors, and even the preparation process if you are cooking your meal. And on top of that, it’s also a judgement-free zone. Mindful eating helps reconnect with our own innate wisdom about hunger and satiety. Being more engaged with what you are eating can lead to less mindless munching and can help you navigate and pick more fulfilling options throughout your day. Mindful eating helps us slow down, check in with our needs, and make empowering decisions when it comes to our meals and snacks.

Benefits of Mindful Eating

• Increased awareness of how food makes you feel during and after a meal
• Better understanding of which foods you enjoy and which ones you dislike
• Increased enjoyment and satisfaction from food
• Better understanding of your motivations for eating
• Increased appreciation and gratefulness for your food
• Increased ability to cope with non-physical reasons for eating
• Decreased feelings of guilt and shame around food

Tips on Starting Your Mindful Eating Journey

1. Check in while you’re eating

• Try the ‘first bite, mid-way bite, and last bite’ approach
• At each check in, consider checking in on how rushed you’re feeling.
• What are your hunger cues – are you eating to nourish or for comfort, or both?
• What does the food taste and feel like?
• How the food makes you feel emotionally and physically?

2. Limit distractions when eating

• Avoid doing work, watching TV, or scrolling through your phone while eating. The major goal of mindful eating is focusing on all the aspects and feelings associated with eating. It can be difficult to be fully engaged when your attention is divided.

3. Remember it is a judgement free mindset

• Eating mindfully is challenging in our fast-paced society and it can be nearly impossible to slow down at every eating opportunity and practice mindfulness.
• Remember to have compassion for yourself and that this is not an “all or nothing” approach. Try eating mindfully at one meal or snack to start, and build momentum with each successful mindful meal or snack. With nearly anything, practice makes perfect! The more you practice mindful eating, the easier it will become.

Written By: Katie Painter, RDN
kpainter@fcymca.org

References:

https://www.thecenterformindfuleating.org/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/8-steps-to-mindful-eating

Each year, we wrestle with setting resolutions for a better New Year. An effective and healthier way to approach New Year’s resolutions is to consider small lifestyle changes that reflect healthy living instead of setting a general resolution such as “eat healthier,” “lose weight,” or “workout more.”

Take your pick of the 22 tips below to set yourself (and your family) up for a successful and healthier you in 2022!

1. Move More: Commit to 20 minutes of movement a day.
2. Quality Sleep: Try reading a book, listening to a podcast, or meditating to help get restful sleep.
3. Drink MORE Water: Generally speaking, men should drink 3.7 liters a day and women, 2.7 liters a day. Of course this will vary based on your size, needs and level of physical activity.
4. Incorporate Fluids + Fiber: Prevents constipation, helps lower cholesterol, improves blood sugar levels and helps keep you fuller longer.
5. Don’t “Diet:” Restrictive diets may cause changes in your hunger and satiety hormones, which may also cause stronger cravings for high caloric and sugary foods.
6. Incorporate Healthier Options: Instead of “dieting,” identify new foods to incorporate into your diet that are healthy, fulfilling, and have added benefits. The MIND diet recommends including whole grains, leafy greens, berries, nuts, beans, colorful vegetables, wine, fish, lean poultry and olive oil in your diet.
7. Change It Up: Instead of sandwiches for lunch, try making grain or legume bowls like a MexiCali bowl or Mediterranean Bowl, which incorporates fresh veggies, healthy grains and protein.
8. Try a Seaweed Salad: Seaweed is rich in antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids, which are known to combat disease-causing free-radicals.
9. Try Plant-based Proteins: Protein-rich foods include tofu, tempeh, edamame, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, quinoa, chia seeds, hemp seeds and beans.
10. Ask About Available Alternatives: Dairy-based sauces can be swapped out for alternatives made with cashews, which are a nutritional powerhouse nut packed with protein, monounsaturated fat, iron and magnesium.
11. Lessen Alcohol: Eliminating alcohol intake all together has proven to provide better sleep, weight loss, reduced risk of certain cancers and diseases.
12. Spice It Up: Spices not only add flavor to your food, but many, like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and sage, offer health benefits too!
13. Supplement: Collagen is the new supplement to consider adding to your diet if you’re looking for some added protein and joint health benefits. It’s easy to add in to your coffee or smoothies each morning.
14. Add Oats: Increase your whole grain consumption and fiber intake by adding oats to your smoothies.
15. Allulose: A new, natural alternative sweetener that tastes like table sugar. Allulose is a monosaccharide absorbed by the body but not metabolized. It is around 1/10 of the calories compared to table sugar and is considered diabetes-friendly.
16. Mindful Cooking Methods: How you cook your food affects the overall nutrition consumed. Healthy cooking methods include: steaming, stir-frying, roasting, poaching, blanching and grilling.
17. Make Your Sweets Count: Switch out milk chocolate for dark, which is high in antioxidants. Or try turning to fruit-based desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.
18. Get Your Gut Health In Check: There is a direct correlation between our gastrointestinal system and the brain. Foods for better brain function include: nuts and seeds, coconut, fatty fish, dark chocolate and fermented foods.
19. Focus on the Positive: A positive mindset will help you feel more at ease and appreciate all the good around you.
20. Mood-Booster Foods: Try “happy brain” snacks to boost serotonin and dopamine. Probiotic-rich yogurt with berries or a trail mix with cashews and dried tart cherries make for great snacks.
21. Know Your Numbers: Don’t forget to schedule physicals and regular checkups with your healthcare provider to stay informed of your current health.
22. Join the YMCA! We are here to help you make 2022 your best year yet! We support individuals and families by offering a holistic wellness experience that fits your personal goals, lifestyle, needs and preferences. Whether that means a gym with childcare availability, a variety of group fitness classes, personal training, team sports, access to state-of-the art equipment, pools, tennis courts and more, the Y is here to help. We also offer healthy living programs that cater to specific needs such as weight loss, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes, cancer support and adaptive wellness to name a few. See a list of our healthy living offerings by clicking here. Some are complimentary services and open to the public. Just ask us how we can help!