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Did you know that arthritis impacts more than 50 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the country? The Shiawassee Family YMCA is here to help, with an evidence-based
arthritis management program called Enhance®Fitness, designed for those with arthritis and geared towards older adults. This program features simple, easy-to-learn movements that motivate individuals (particularly those with arthritis) to stay active and reclaim their health. Some changes that past participants have noticed include: • More energy • Better balance • Increases in upper and lower body strength • More flexibility and range of motion • Better sleep • Increased improvement in mental health • Sense of independence In addition to the physical benefits, research has shown that among older adults who participate in Enhance®Fitness, health costs were lowered each year by close to $1,000. Each class includes cardiovascular, strength, balance and flexibility exercises and the fostering of strong relationships and connections between participants. Participants are encouraged to use chairs for support, as necessary, and to move through strength and other exercises with whatever weights are most comfortable and at their own pace. The Shiawassee Family YMCA offers this class Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 PM. For more information, please visit https://www.shiawasseeymca.org/active-older-adults.html.
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Basketball season is upon us once again. That means it's a good time to review some basketball fan etiquette.
Has anyone wondered why people seem so angry and frustrated during basketball games? Basketball is a pretty physical sport, and there is a fine line between being aggressive and being too aggressive. That line gets crossed when kids who do not have complete control of their limbs start playing basketball. They certainly are not doing it on purpose, but when another child's elbow suddenly connects with your child's face, all reason goes out the window. Did you know playing basketball can release endorphins that naturally put people in a better mood? Regular participation can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It just makes kids happier—until parents start getting angry. Don't take that happiness away from your child. Instead, remind yourself that they are just learning, still figuring out how to control their bodies, still trying to understand the rules (there are a lot of them), and no one is out to get your kid. Let's try to make every game the best experience possible...for everyone involved. Here are a few ideas:
We look forward to a great 2025 basketball season and appreciate the cooperation of every participant, parent, fan, and volunteer in making that happen. This holiday season, you're invited to celebrate the 12 Days of Giving with the Y! From December 13 through December 24, we'll be sharing ways you can donate to help others "Find Their Y" and create a stronger, healthier community in 2024.
Please consider donating to or getting involved in any of the 12 causes below. Be sure to share our social media posts each day, using the hashtag, #12DaysofGiving! Day 1 | Find Your Confidence Each year the Y welcomes about 500 youth and their families to the soccer field. Learning soccer and making new friends, helps them find their CONFIDENCE. The cost of soccer should never be a barrier to having this exciting experience. Donate today to ensure every child in Shiawassee County has the chance to play soccer. Day 2 | Find Your Adventure Summer is a time for kids to explore new things and expand the limits of their imagination. At Camp Shiawassee, every day is a new adventure! Whether experiencing the wonders of the Frog Pond or playing games in the field with new friends, campers found their ADVENTURE with the Y this year. Help make camp accessible for all by donating to our scholarship fund. Day 3 | Find Your Connection At the Y, there are no strangers - only friends you haven't met yet! This year, the Shiawassee Family YMCA served over 300 active older adults in our community through classes and programs focused on improving health and mobility. Many of these active older adults have found CONNECTION with meaningful friendships formed in classes or over coffee in the lobby. Help us continue to strengthen the social fabric of our community by donating to our senior programs. Day 4 | Find Your Activity To be our best selves, we need to take care of our whole selves. At the Shiawassee Family YMCA, we have 23 different group exercise classes to help members find balance and strength in spirit, mind and body. Give others the opportunity to find their ACTIVITY and help jumpstart their journey to health by donating to our scholarship fund. Day 5 | Find Your Passion Youth sports are just the start of something bigger - besides teaching healthy living principles, they also teach the value of teamwork, help fuel determination and build character. At Shiawassee Family YMCA, we have a variety of sports programs to help keep children active while igniting their PASSION for something greater. Help give every child the opportunity to experience youth sports by donating to our Strong Kids Campaign. Day 6 | Find Your Purpose Whenever a neighbor needs support, the Shiawassee Family YMCA is ready to help with open arms and caring hearts. This month alone, we served 284 families through our mobile food distribution with our partners at Greater Lansing Food Bank. Help us continue to make an impact on hunger in Shiawassee County and find your PURPOSE by donating to our food program. Day 7 | Find Your Friends The Y is more than just a place to work out. With opportunities to connect with neighbors and join the fabric of the community, members can discover a greater sense of purpose and find their FRIENDS. In 2023, the Shiawassee Family YMCA provided just under $90,000 in financial assistance to ensure all members of our community had access to our classes and programs. Help us continue to serve our neighbors and friends by donating during #12DaysofGiving. Day 8 | Find Your Curiosity Our Before/After School programming, which serves both Owosso and Durand, always includes activities that help inspire wonder about the world around us. Guiding children to find their CURIOSITY is key to helping them reach their full potential. Donate today to help keep this programming accessible for all. Day 9 | Find Your Voice We believe young people have the power to change the world. Our teen and young adult opportunities are designed to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to lead positive change in Shiawassee County and beyond. Help them find their VOICE and keep these opportunities accessible for all by donating to the Y. Day 10 | Find Your Perspective At Shiawassee Family YMCA, neighbors from all backgrounds and walks of life discover common ground and broaden their perspectives. We truly are a community for all, so help us welcome all newcomers with open arms and caring hearts. Find your PERSPECTIVE and donate to ensure that the Y remains accessible to all. Day 11 | Find Your Strength At the Y, our Enhance Fitness class creates a supportive community that inspires participants to find their inner strength, while focusing on their overall health in spirit, mind and body. Help give your neighbors the opportunity to find their STRENGTH by donating to our financial assistance fund. Day 12 | Find Your Joy in Giving Food for neighbors in need. Safe spaces for kids to learn & grow. Outreach to seniors who are feeling isolated. Find your cause and then find your JOY IN GIVING this holiday season. Consider volunteering at the Y this upcoming year or make a donation to the cause you feel most passionate about. https://buff.ly/3ATdt8p For nearly 100 years, the World YMCA and World YWCA have come together to host the Week of Prayer (November 10-16). The theme chosen for this year is "Moving with Faith Through the Elements." If you would like to participate, download the 2024 devotional booklet here: https://www.ymca.int/week-of-prayer/.
History of the Week in Prayer In a letter to the London YMCA in 1856, F.R. Starr of Philadelphia suggested, "the appointment of a week to be simultaneously observed by the Young Men's Christian Associations throughout the world for Prayer for the conversion of the world, and for young men especially". In 1867 at the 5th World Conference in Paris, the American delegation made the proposal to consecrate Sunday 2nd November and every evening of the week following that day for special prayer for all associations throughout the world. But it was only in 1875 at the 7th World Conference in Hamburg that the second Sunday of November was fixed as the beginning of the "Week of Prayer". In 1891, the "Week of Prayer" was included in the Constitution of the World Alliance of YMCAs. In 1901, the YWCA and the YMCA agreed "on the adoption of the same subjects for the annual Week of Prayer". In 1904, a joint call to prayer was issued by the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs, and the joint Week of Prayer has continued since that time. Beginning with 1927, messages of the President of the World YWCA and the President of the World Alliance of YMCAs were included in the call to prayer. In 1931, the name of the Week was expanded to "The Week of Prayer and World Fellowship". Since 1948, the booklets for the Week of Prayer have been presented with pictures, daily messages and appropriate Bible texts and prayers. Since 1942, the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs have published jointly a booklet each year for the Week of Prayer. Visit https://www.ymca.int/week-of-prayer/ for more info on the Week of Prayer. Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). However, knowing the warning signs for suicide and knowing how to get help can save a life.
In honor of Suicide Prevention Month in September, the Shiawassee Family YMCA is encouraging community members to care for themselves and others. Here are 5 action steps from the NIMH for helping someone in emotional pain. ASK "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" It's not an easy question but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. KEEP THEM SAFE Reducing a suicidal person's access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference. BE THERE Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts. HELP THEM CONNECT Save the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text 988) and the Crisis Text Line number (741741) in your phone so they're there if you need them. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional. STAY CONNECTED Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person. Learn more about suicide prevention at nimh.nih.gov.  August is National Back to School Month. To prepare, the Shiawassee Family YMCA is sharing three ways you can make sure your back-to-school season is a success!
Enroll in Learning Zone or Boxcar Before and Afterschool Programming Today When school is out, the Y is in! In honor of National Back to School Month, the Y wants to remind you of our before and afterschool programming. The staff at both our Owosso and Durand locations are there to ensure your child is taken care of before and after their school day! Visit our website to learn more. Communicate Routines and Expectations The Y wants your family to be prepared for back-to-school season! Here is a friendly reminder to make sure you have everything on your child's classroom supply list, reset those summer bedtimes well before the big day and communicate any changes in routine with the entire family. Here are some helpful back-to-school parent tips from both the Department of Education and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here's to a happy, healthy and safe back-to-school season! Help Our Schools & Students Stock Up! From crayons to notebooks, many classrooms, and the students who fill them, are in need of school supplies this time of year! In celebration of National Back to School Month, the Shiawassee Family YMCA invites you to donate an extra something to your child's classroom or you can donate to our Learning Zone and Boxcar programs. We can always use extra supplies and snacks!  Did you know that arthritis impacts more than 50 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the country? The Shiawassee Family YMCA is here to help, with an evidence-based arthritis management program called Enhance®Fitness, designed for those with arthritis. This program features simple, easy-to-learn movements that motivate individuals (particularly those with arthritis) to stay active and reclaim their health.
Some changes that participants have noticed:
Enhance®Fitness is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30pm. This class is free for members.  Did you know that of the 96 million Americans who have prediabetes, more than 8 in 10 adults don't know they have it? March 26 is Diabetes Alert Day, and the Shiawassee Family YMCA is encouraging Shiawassee County residents to understand their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and steps to take to prevent the disease.
First, we invite you to take the 60-second test led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Medical Association and the Ad Council to find out if you're at risk: doihaveprediabetes.org. Next, we are sharing a handful of lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss, and healthy living can decrease the risk for type 2: Talk to Your Doctor Use this moment as a reminder to talk to your health care provider about your diabetes risk factors. This is especially true if you have a family history or are overweight. More Fruits and Veggies Try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your day! Eating a colorful array of healthy foods can have a huge impact on your overall health. There are some great recipes available including vegetables that are in season this time of year - get creative in the kitchen! More Lean Proteins Basic lifestyle changes - such as choosing fish, lean meats and poultry without skin - can contribute to weight loss and decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Check out some healthy and delicious ways to prepare these proteins at diabetes.org/. Grain Power There's power in grain! Aim for whole grains with every meal. A whole grain sandwich filled with fresh veggies and lean meat is both filling and delicious. 150 Minutes of Movement Small steps matter. Build up to 150 minutes of physical activity per week. You can start with a simple walk each day or check out our Y's exciting group fitness class schedule. The key is to just keep moving! Drink More Water Basic lifestyle changes, like drinking water instead of drinks with added sugar, can contribute to weight loss and decreases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Carrying and refilling a reusable water bottle is an easy way to keep thirst (and sugary beverage temptation!) at bay. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, there is something you can do about it. The Shiawassee Family YMCA has partnered with the Muskegon YMCA to offer the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program which helps participants achieve healthy eating, regular physical activity, and modest weight loss—all of which have been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Learn more: muskegonymca.org/diabetes-prevention/. February is American Heart Month, and with recently published research indicating blood pressure control has worsened in both men and women since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important to use this month to get a blood pressure screening and focus on becoming heart healthy. Below are tips for everyone to become heart healthy this February.
Many people associate the Y with basketball, treadmills, or even a place to enjoy a cup of coffee. But the true power of the Y isn't found within four walls. The Y is in the hearts and actions of every neighbor who believes in our vision of a better "us" and a stronger community for all.
Thanks to the support of neighbors like you, this year we have:
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Shiawassee Family YMCA515 W. Main St.
Owosso MI 48867 |
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