For A Better Us

Running is more than just a workout for Williams Family YMCA member Mike Freed. Watch how his strides are making a big impact for the First Coast.

James H. Winston, one of the First Coast YMCA’s most passionate supporters, passed away Wednesday, September 19.

Mr. Winston cared deeply for both the Y and the city. He really understood the impact the Y has on the community. That’s what drove his involvement in the Y’s important work for more than 50 years.

“How incredibly fitting that Jim’s name graces the Winston Family YMCA, a place that’s welcoming to all and serves as a shining example of the good that can happen when a community comes together, said Eric K. Mann, First Coast YMCA President and CEO.

“His YMCA family will certainly miss him, but every day we will honor his legacy through the lives we transform in Jacksonville and across the First Coast.”

Norma had already lost her mother and brother to type 2 diabetes, so when she got an alarming diagnosis from her doctor, she knew she had to do whatever she could to keep her health from getting worse.

After struggling with weight all her life, Norma Davis learned this past year that she was pre-diabetic. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. The condition often leads to type 2 diabetes, unless steps are taken to prevent it.

“When the doctor told me I was border diabetic, that was a red flag,” Norma said. “It got scary so I said ‘NO, I can’t do this. I have grand-babies and a husband.’ It can cut my life span, it can keep me from being mobile, it can cause me blindness and amputation. I really just put a foot forward and told myself that I was going to get through this.”

The First Step

That’s when Norma joined the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program at the Johnson Family YMCA. The program, which is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, is geared towards helping those who have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, or believe they may be at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This program is designed to help people adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle changes over the course of one year.

Developing Healthy Habits

Norma says the program has helped her meet her goals and also provided the comfort and support she needs to keep fighting for her health. “Everything is coordinated as far as having support. Even the mentality alone, you get the fortitude to say ‘I am going to make it, I am going to do this’, once I changed my lifestyle, I felt good- mentally and physically,” said Norma.

Meeting Goals

The goals of the program are to reduce body weight by 7 percent and increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Norma has lost more than 25 pounds since she started the program. She says that the program’s group setting helped her maintain her motivation and inspiration thanks to the support it provides.

Staying On Track

“It helps when you can get together and hear about everyone’s achievements and the goals they have met, it keeps you motivated to meet your own goals,” Norma said. I would have never thought that just a group and positivity would put me in a path that would get me to where I am today.”

Norma Davis took control of her pre-diabetes and she says she will keep taking control for the rest of her life. Her goal is to motivate others that are going through similar struggles with the message that “you can choose to live healthy and be healthy.”

Lisa Peacock, Director of Healthy Living Innovations: Chronic Disease Prevention, is currently planning fall sessions of the Diabetes Prevention Program. Contact her at 904.265.1810 or lpeacock@fcymca.org for more information.

To qualify for the Diabetes Prevention Program, participants must be 18 or older, overweight/obese (having Body Mass Index greater than 25) and at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, or have been diagnosed with prediabetes.

Watch Norma’s story and learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

Everyone loves to play basketball at the Y, including long-time Y member Ethan Hawke, but there are plenty of other programs to try at the Y. Watch Ethan try something new.

As a volunteer at the Harlem YMCA in New York, Marcus Samuelsson gives back to his community by teaching kids how to cook and then sharing a meal with their parents.

Murphy Nmezi wins first place in the 13th running of the Johnson Family YMCA Celebrate Life 5K. The annual events unites the community together for a day of fellowship, fun and the opportunity to get healthy together.

Raymond McFarlane came to the Winston Family YMCA after he nearly died in a car crash. Doctors told him he may need a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but through our Adaptive Wellness partnership with Brooks Rehabilitation, Raymond is proving them wrong.

Using her running career to pique their interest in STEM, Olympic gold medalist and Y youth participant Allyson Felix leads a hands-on experiment with Y kids from the Crenshaw Family YMCA in Los Angeles, CA.

Give and Give Some More with Amazon Smile

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast every time you shop, at no extra cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com. On your first visit, you’ll be asked to select a charity. Please enter YMCA of Florida’s First Coast in the search field. That’s all there is to it! Now a percent of every eligible purchase will go to help our YMCA programs. Thank you!

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible?

Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?

Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

The holidays are a time for gathering and bonding—often over food! These moments can serve as opportunities to nurture a child’s development together as a family. From offering nutritious meal options to provoking thoughtful conversation, any adults who spend Thanksgiving with children can easily inspire healthy choices and deeper gratitude.

Here are three simple questions to get kids reflecting and sharing:

1. If you could do something to cheer up a group of kids less fortunate than you, what would you do? Why?

2. Can you think of two things you own that you would be willing to give to a child your age who is not going to get any gifts this holiday?

3. Can you think of three things we could do to make meals together more interesting and fun for everyone in the family?

Download a list of more questions for year-round conversation.