For A Better Us

The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast celebrated Healthy Kids Day^® on Saturday, April 30 at the Brooks Family YMCA.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, is celebrated at more than 1300 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants.  The free community event was designed to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active while providing them with activities and resources to achieve their potential all year long. We want to extend another thank you to our community partners (including JAXSPORTS Charities) and to all the families who turned out on Saturday to have fun!

“A child’s development is never on vacation, and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in mind, body and spirit all summer long,” said Eric Mann, president and CEO of YMCA of Florida’s First Coast.

“It is within our core values to support youth development and enhancement throughout the First Coast by focusing on education, health and wellness with positive experiences,” said Rick Catlett, president and CEO of Jacksonville Sports Council. “We are proud to take part in the Healthy Kids Day once again as it continues to encourage outdoor play and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity for local kids.”

This year’s Healthy Kids Day featured games, booths, a farm-to-city barnyard, food trucks, giveaways and more activities!

In case you missed it, check out the video above to see what a great time we had!

Stuffing food in an envelope and mailing it oversseas seems an unorthodox form of protest. Unless you’re an 8-year-old who is forced to finish her dinner because “there are starving children in Africa.”

While we would have hoped the protesters of our youth might have gone on to start a revolution, sadly, most have likely joined the eight out of 10 American women who suffer from food guilt. And yes, we mean suffer! Food guilt has many flavors, new ones we’re learning more about each day. It’s about what we eat and what we don’t eat, what we feed our families and having the perfect relationship with food.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM EDIBLE NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Authors

Sara Glenn is the Director of Strategic Development of Healthy Living Innovations: Nutrition & Obesity for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast and leads the Y’s nutritional services, including the vertical garden initiative, SEEDifferently.

Kimberly Lewis is the Annual Campaign & Volunteerism Director for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, is passionate about teaching kids to volunteer, and has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than a decade.

Tiger Academy’s Susan Harper Receives a Big Surprise

Teaching for 42 years has taught Susan Harper many lessons, but none prepared her for the surprise she received this week at Tiger Academy. The kindergarten teacher learned she was one of four recipients of the 2016 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching. Each recipient received $15,000.

“It was a big, big surprise,” said Harper with tear-filled eyes. Cheers filled her classroom as Harper held a bouquet of roses and received a hug
from principal Charles McWhite.

“I call them my kids,” said Harper of her students as they began to run up and hug her. Her dedication quickly became evident, as Harper swiftly resumed teaching her students despite the media presence, camera flashes, and applause.

The Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence are among the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation.

Gilchrist Berg, a Jacksonville-area businessman and longtime YMCA supporter, established the awards in 1998 to honor his 4th grade teacher, Gladys Prior. Teachers are nominated based on criteria including evidence of sustained inspiration to students, evidence of sustained teaching excellence and 10 or more years in the classroom.

Harper feels that part of her students’ success lies in her practice of never placing limits on them of what they can accomplish.

“Tiger Academy is delighted that Ms. Harper has been honored for her dedication,” said principal Charles McWhite. “She continues to push her students towards greater academic achievement, and we hope she will continue to develop young minds in our community for many more years to come.”

Through a unique partnership with the First Coast YMCA, Tiger Academy focuses on providing a nurturing learning environment while emphasizing rigorous learning academic standards, personal responsibility, character development, and strong family involvement.

The other recipients of this year’s Gladys Prior Awards are Scott Sowell, a science teacher at Darnell-Cookman Middle / High School; Judy Reppert, a social students and civics teacher at Martin J. Gottlieb Day School; and Mark McGiveron, a math teacher at Fletcher Middle School.

Celebrating a Landmark and the Promise of More to Come

For more than sixty years, the Yates Family YMCA in Riverside has been a cornerstone of the First Coast. Generations of residents have come of age both within and beyond its walls. And it has been open to all, with fully one-third of its participants receiving financial assistance. The Yates Y has created memories that will long outlive its mortar and bricks. And it has served as the foundation of a future with the promise of even more to come.

Now, as we move closer to the opening of the new Winston Family YMCA that will replace Yates, we are pleased to announce new community giving opportunities, including founding membership, brick paver, digital and facility recognition, that expand opportunities for First Coast residents to play a role in bringing this neighborhood Y to life.

“It’s not about the size of a gift, it’s the sense of belonging that will last forever within the walls and bricks of this new Y,” said Nekita Nesmith, senior vice president and chief development officer at YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “From $1 and up, the entire community can take part in helping us create a healthier First Coast by contributing to the Winston YMCA.”

On schedule to open late summer, the two-story Winston YMCA will be a 72,000-square-foot building overlooking the St. Johns River and serve as an attractive destination for Downtown Jacksonville.

New 3D Tour of the Winston Family YMCA

“The impact we expect to generate from the Winston Family YMCA goes beyond the fitness center or the swimming pool,” said YMCA of Florida’s First Coast President and CEO Eric Mann. “The programs and services that we will deliver both inside the building and out in the nearby neighborhoods will foster community connections, create new opportunities for youth and provide support that will positively change the lives of area residents.”

Donate Now

More than 86 million people, including 22 million people 65 or older, have pre-diabetes, which increases their risk of heart disease, strokes or diabetes. As we’ve watched that number grow, it has somehow felt that despite billions of dollars of research and intervention, there’s little we can do. That feeling shifted last week when Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the secretary of health and human services, announced that Medicare was planning to pay for lifestyle interventions focusing on diet and physical activity to prevent Type 2 diabetes. It’s an example of small-scale research efforts into health services that have worked and that have expanded to reach more people.

Read more from The New York Times

When James joined the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program at the First Coast YMCA, he did it for his own health. What James didn’t know was how his participation would affect his family.

Learn More: Diabetes Prevention at First Coast YMCA

Staying on track can be one of the biggest challenges to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But an accountability partner can make all the difference. You’ll be less likely to skip a workout with your friend and can even save money on your YMCA membership!

Invite a family member or friend to join the Y and you’ll both enjoy an exclusive 20% membership savings off of the standard membership rate each month as long as you both remain members*.

Top 5 Benefits of Having a Workout Partner

1. Accountability

Arguably the most worthwhile reason to have a workout partner is accountability. Workout partners hold each other responsible for going to the gym because they keep each other on track and always reaching for their goals. If both go regularly, they will know whether a workout has been missed.

2. Sharing goals and progress

A workout buddy offers companionship, but also creates a competition that can be extremely helpful when someone needs to push through that extra mile or squat. They also give each other someone to celebrate milestones with. Both members can go out to dinner and feel comfortable getting healthy meals without giving in to temptation.

3. Validation

Many people who are trying to lose weight get discouraged because of the rough weeks where weight doesn’t come off. Workout partners can see each other’s progress from the outside and provide motivation, positive feedback and constructive criticism.

4. It’s fun!

Workout partners provide a sense of reliability and help transform the gym into something more desirable – an active social gathering. For example, busy mothers would benefit from having someone else who is going through similar life changes. They can provide motivation and support, and it also gives them a chance to socialize away from the family.

5. It Saves You Money

Because we know how beneficial it is to have a workout partner, we are now rewarding you when you refer a family or friend to the Y. You can both save 20% off your membership!

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I begin to receive the Member Referral Rate? Members will receive their member referral rate on their next billing cycle.

How long is the reduced rate valid?
The reduced rate received from participating in the Member Referral program is good for as long as both parties remain members, and their membership is in good standing (by keeping all monthly payments current). Should one of you cancel your membership, the remaining member has thirty (30) days to refer another friend or family member to join. If the remaining member does not refer another friend or family member to join within 30 days, the reduced membership rate will return to the standard rate for the specified membership type.

Can I get more than one discount?
Members are only eligible for one rate reduction on their memberships. Ask an Experience Maker at your Y’s Welcome Center to help you find the best rate.

Will the Member Referral rate ever increase?
Yes, you will still be subject to future rate increases. However, your rate will still reflect a 20% savings as long as both members are still active in good standing, and the Member Referral Program is still being offered by the Y.

Does my friend or family member have to join the same Y?
No. A friend or family member can join any of our Y’s in Florida’s First Coast.

Can I refer more than one friend or family member?
Yes. Members can refer as many people as they would like. In fact, it is to your benefit to refer more than one friend or family member so, in the event one of your referrals decides to leave the Y, you have another referral attached to your membership, which ensures your membership savings stay in place. However, the maximum savings you will receive is 20%.

Who is eligible to participate in this program?
Adult, Senior or Household members who pay on a monthly billing cycle from an EFT or Credit Card.

I am currently receiving financial assistance. Can I refer a friend for this program?
Yes. Should your friend or family member decide to join they will receive the Member Referral membership rate for the membership category they select. Your membership will remain at your standard financial assistance rate or be reduced to the Member Referral rate for your membership type, whichever is less.

Does my friend or family member have to be with me to join?
No. New members will need to bring in the referral email they receive from their friend or family member when they join in order to receive the 20% savings off of their first billing cycle.

Before the Member Referral Program began, I referred multiple families to join the Y. Can I receive a rate reduction based on their memberships?
No. The Member Referral membership savings is only available for current members referring new members. A new member is considered a member that has not been an active member at a Florida’s First Coast Y for 60 days or longer.

I am joining the Y as a new member in the Member Referral Program. Do I have to pay a joining fee?
Yes. You will still be required to pay a full joining fee at the time you join the Y. The 20% membership savings may only be applied to the standard membership monthly dues.

Have more questions? Give us a call at 904.265.1775.

*The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast reserves the right to end this member referral program at any time. However, if you are already receiving the member referral discount, you will continue to receive the discount as long as you and your family member or friend remain members. Discount can only be applied to two separate accounts. If either of you cancel and the program is no longer being offered, the discount will no longer be valid.

This week, the community came together at Y-Bash to showcase the Y’s real impact on the First Coast. This year’s event, held February 23 at the Florida Theatre, celebrates the Y’s mission to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The Y named Jacksonville Sports Council as the recipient of the E. William Nash, Jr. Legend Award for the Community Partner of the Year. This year’s honoree for the Carl & Rita Cannon Employee of the Year Award is Jennifer Willett and the Volunteer of the Year honoree is Josh Harrison.

The feature presentation at this year’s Y-Bash was a story connecting the past, present and future with Hi-Y, a high school civics club popular at the Yates Family YMCA from the 1940s to 1980s, and the current Youth in Government program.

At this year’s event, the Y announced its funding priorities for the following year and its goal to raise $1.7 million. This year’s four funding priorities include:

• Active Adults Creating Healthy Families and Communities
• Making Kids of All Ages Safe in the Water
• Academic and Life Achievement for Our Youth
• Helping Teens Become Leaders

We’d like to say thank you to our Y-Bash Sponsors:
• The LBA Group
• The University of North Florida Foundation, Inc.
• Legal Accounting Solutions
• Haskell
• RS&H
• Prospect Mortgage

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YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) today launched Zoe for President, a campaign to elect a one-year-old girl as our nation’s Commander in Chief…in 2064. The campaign highlights the potential the Y sees in all kids to grow up and change the world if they’re nurtured properly and supported along the way. Through Y initiatives like childcare, academic enrichment, mentorship, college prep, job training, and more, kids have the opportunities to succeed, grow, and one day, maybe even become president. The Y aims to impart the values of what it means to achieve—how hard work, determination, perseverance and character can drive someone to success beyond what they thought possible.

Like all candidates, Zoe has her own campaign website, ZoeForPresident.net, where users can donate to her campaign, watch videos of her stance on issues and shop for swag. When users donate to Zoe’s campaign, they are donating to their local Y and supporting the programs and services that enable kids like Zoe to thrive from childhood to old age.

“While Zoe for President is a breath of fresh air during a heated campaign cycle, every child, regardless of background, needs support and guidance to reach their full potential,” said Kevin Washington, president and CEO, YMCA of the USA. “Our campaign will address actual issues that America’s communities are faced with each day like access to early childhood education, safe space, meal assistance, and the Y’s role in solving the challenges head on.”

#ZoeForPresident Tweets

Zoe In the News:
The Y Nominates Zoe for President
Move Over Clinton, Trump: YMCA Backs a Toddler for President
Still Looking for a Candidate That’s Truly Likable? Meet Zoe
One-Year-Old Girl Runs for President in Latest YMCA Campaign

Sara Glenn
Director of Strategic Development of Healthy Living Innovations: Nutrition & Obesity for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast

If you think heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure are only present in adults, think again. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), about one in six children ages 8 to17 years has raised blood pressure.

American Heart Month Kids Sodium Intake Infographic

The Dietary Guideline recommends children eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. However, studies show that kids in America ages 2 to 19 eat more than 3,100 milligrams of sodium every day. Eating too much sodium can result in high blood pressure in children and teens, and the effect is greater if they’re overweight or obese.

As a mom, I am always looking for new ways to encourage my kids to eat healthy and stay active. Even with a career in health and wellness, I still have to stop my daughter from emptying the saltshaker. As a partner in the health of our community, we are dedicated to supporting families in the overall health of their children. In celebration of American Heart Month, below are some steps you can take to help reduce sodium in your family’s diet.

Enjoy Home-Prepared Meals

Outsourcing family meals to restaurants may be convenient, but preparing you own foods allows you to control the amount of salt in them. The Nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest analyzed a range of processed foods and found, for instance, ready-made roasted carved turkey contains up to 5,410 milligrams of sodium per serving.

When cooking and preparing meals at home, involve your children. Research shows that the more we include our children in food choice and the process of cooking, the more likely they are to eat a healthy diet. From toddlers to teens, there’s a job for everyone when it comes to preparing meals.

American Heart Month Kids and Sodium Infographic

Adjust Your Kid’s Taste Buds

Cut back on salt little by little—and pay attention to the natural tastes of various foods. Your kid’s taste for salt will lessen over time. Additionally, keep salt off the kitchen counter and the dinner table and substitute spices, herbs, garlic, vinegar or lemon juice to season foods. Lastly, be aware of the “hidden” sodium in your kid’s everyday foods such as pizza, soups and sandwiches.

Model Healthy Eating

Children are great imitators. Just when we think they aren’t watching or listening, they surprise us with what they know. We can use this to their benefit when it comes to eating healthy. If we, as parents, model low-sodium intake using alternatives to add flavor to our food, then our children will follow suit.

 Look at the Label

 Packaged foods and beverages can contain high levels of sodium, whether or not they taste salty. That’s why it’s important to use the Nutrition Facts Label to check the sodium content.

The percent daily value (%DV) tells you how much of a nutrient is in one serving of a food. The %DV is based on 100 percent of the Daily Value for sodium (less than 2,300 milligrams per day). When comparing and choosing foods, pick the ones with a lower %DV of sodium. As a general rule:

• 5% DV or less of sodium per serving is low
• 20% DV or more of sodium per serving is high

The First Coast YMCA offers a community of diverse individuals who can help families to meet their health and well-being goals. The new Healthy Living Centers in Mandarin and Ponte Vedra brings medically integrated programs from Baptist Health into the Y and making these programs more accessible to the surrounding community. Whether you want to talk to a doctor about your child’s heart condition or need advice for adopting a healthier lifestyle, the Y is here to help!

About the Author 

Sara Glenn, MEd., is the Director of Strategic Development of Healthy Living Innovations: Nutrition & Obesity for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast and leads the Y’s nutritional services, including the Y’s vertical garden initiative, SEEDifferently. Sara lives in Jacksonville with her husband and two-and-a-half year-old daughter, Charley, who she is determined to raise as a healthy foodie!

– More than 3,400 Floridians log 7,449 miles in event to encourage healthier lifestyles –

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 9, 2016 – The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is pleased to announce its win in the Treadmill Tuesday Challenge, a competition with the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA. Nearly 1,750 First Coast residents completed 3,813 miles during the 12-hour event, surpassing the Tampa Bay by 177 miles. For the Tampa Bay area, 1,686 residents logged 3,636 miles. Together, the First Coast YMCA and Tampa YMCA leveraged a friendly competition to inspire community members to become more physically active and adopt healthier lifestyles.

“Treadmill Tuesday is another way for us to promote the importance of getting 30 minutes of activity or exercise each day, it’s about building a healthy community,” said Eric Mann, president and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “This year’s competition with our friends in Tampa made the event even more exciting and it’s been incredible to see these communities come together with a cheerful spirit and determination.”

As part of the friendly wager agreed upon by the two YMCA CEOs prior to the competition, Looby will wear a Jacksonville Jaguars jersey, the jersey of the winning community’s NFL team, this week. Additionally, the Tampa YMCA will send a basket of hometown favorites to the YMCA in the winning community.

“The remarkable turnout of the Treadmill Tuesday Challenge has once again demonstrated the importance of community involvement in improving Florida’s health and well-being,” said Tom Looby, president and CEO of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA. “While this year’s competition has come to an end, both communities’ Ys remain committed to strengthening the health of our communities.”

In addition to participating at their neighborhood Y, community members were able to join the competition from other locations via social media. Of the 3,435 participants, more than 65 joined by uploading a post-workout photo of treadmill dashboard displaying the total distance, tagging @FirstCoastYMCA or @TampaYMCA, and using #TreadmillTuesday. The total distance and number of participants for the First Coast YMCA, who joined the competition via social media or at a First Coast Y branch, are listed below.

#TreadmillTuesday Tweets