ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU a newsletter for Y members and volunteers
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
WADE WALKER PARK FAMILY YMCA
www.ymcaatlanta.org www.ymcaregistration.com www.facebook.com/WadeWalkerY
February 2016
A Prescription To The Y Mr. Gregory Van Levette is a charter member and active older adult with a prescription to the Y. He joined Wade Walker Park Family YMCA even before the doors opened in 2012, knowing he wanted to belong to a “new, high-tech” Y in his neighborhood and keep in shape. He was already pretty active and not afraid to face any challenge head on. He is a Vietnam Veteran. However, the challenge he would face in 2014 was completely unforeseen.
He noticed that he couldn’t swim a lap without being totally drained and had labored breathing after simple tasks. He would later learn he was suffering with Atrial Fibrillation and would need to undergo open heart surgery. His rehab included a cardiac rebuild program: treadmill, pro two machine and stationary bike 3 days, each week, for 2 months. Doctors told him that he had lost 78 pounds throughout his whole ordeal and needed to keep it up and get involved in a physical program. This was a prescription to the Y. Great, he was already a member! He signed up for the Y’s signature program, Coach Approach, and with the help of a wellness coach, designed a personal workout regimen just for him, including regular visits to the wellness center and swimming. He says he loves coming to the Y to work out with friends after getting a second chance at life. His advice or prescription to other seniors is to: “Get up and move, don’t be sedentary…use it or lose it!”
BUILDING BRIGHT STARS
After School: WOW Friday Each Friday, the after school counselors and director move beyond their everyday programming to provide their students with a Mystery Room on WOW Fridays. On January 15, the counselors designed a special mystery room around the history and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During this WOW Friday, counselors taught students the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work through trivia, arts & crafts and the movie “Our Friend Martin.” The students were happy to celebrate a heroic historian on his special day; Friday, January 15 would have been Dr. King’s 87th birthday. “We Wade Walker Afterschool thank you Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., as we will continue to make your dream our dream as well.” – Brie’a Graham
ALWAYS HERE FOR YOu | a newsletter for Y members and volunteers
Y HAPPENINGS
Below is your February at the Y at a glance! Be sure to mark your calendar with this month’s upcoming Y activities for you and your family! Programs Registering this month: www.ymcaregistration.com • Swim Lessons • Karate • Baseball • After School • Soccer • Summer Camp February 6: February 10: February 12: February 15:
February 20: February 25: February 26: February 24:
Community CPR Class Please Register Online
AOA Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am – 12 pm • Ceramics Room Valentine’s Party Holiday Camp 7 am – 6:30 pm Holiday Camp 7 am – 6:30 pm
American Red Cross Blood Drive 3 – 7 pm • Ceramics Room Championship Swim Meet Come cheer on the Tigerfish at the Cumming Aquatics Center Member Appreciation Mardi Gras Theme
Family Night: Big Game Night! 6:30 – 8:30 pm • Concessions will be available for purchase
AOA Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am – 12 pm • Ceramics Room At 10 am Monique Waldron from Clear Captions will discuss captioning phones
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Membership Appreciation January’s Super Bowl themed member appreciation was a great success thanks to Ebony Anderson, Tori Richardson, and Lakeysha McKenzie. We hope all of our members will join us on the last Thursday of every month for member appreciation, February’s theme is Mardi Gras. Needle Arts Come learn how to knit, quilt and crochet all while having a great time! It's a great way to relieve stress and make new friends. All skill levels are welcome! For facility members ages 7+. Join us Tuesdays from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm in the Ceramics Room.
Happy Club Our Happy Club program is looking for participants to join in on the adventures! The Happy Club is a program that provides teens and adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to further enhance their socialization and community skills. The Happy Club meets the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Ebony Anderson at 678.578.1226. Aquatics: 100 Mile Club Join the 100 Mile Club! This fun challenge is free to members, simply log your laps in our record book and we will help cheer you on! Questions? Contact Kathy at KatherineAl@ymcaatlanta.org.
Wellness On Wednesday, January 17, Wade Walker members got a chance to "Step up to a Healthy Lifestyle." Registered dietitians from Good Measure Meals® were on site to have a healthy discussion about weight management. The class provided members with a free body composition analysis, goal setting tips and one-on-one interaction with dietitians to ensure they meet their health and wellness goals. Be sure to sign up for the next personalized body composition analysis in August! Questions? Contact Earleicia Pou at 678.578.1205.
A SAFE PLACE TO GROW
Holiday Camp Join us this winter when school is out for our awesome holiday camp! From arts & crafts to rock climbing, games, swimming and more, Holiday Camp is loads of fun and excitement in a safe and nurturing environment from 7 am – 6:30 pm. Questions? Contact Debora Beauford at 678.578.1214 or email DeboraB@ymcaatlanta.org. Friday, February 12 & Monday, February 15 $30 per day, lunch and snack are provided