Visser Family
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Taking Children’s Health to the Next Level
Posted February 12, 2013 in
By Nicole Pratt, Senior Childcare Director, Spartan Stores YMCA
Our kids are at risk. With 1 in 3 children overweight or obese, it is time to take a closer look at what we all can do to change this eerie situation. While these numbers are scary, what is behind them is even more.
Today it is projected that we as parents, will live longer, healthier lives than our children. The primary cause of course is the human costs associated with the childhood obesity epidemic, such as diabetes... Read More
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JCPenney Grant Awarded
Posted January 24, 2013 in
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids received a $35,000 grant from jcp cares, jcpenney’s new charitable giving program, to provide school-aged children with financial assistance to attend afterschool programs at seven different YMCA branches in the Grand Rapids area. This gift provides children in the Grand Rapids community, who otherwise could not afford to participate, with access to life-enriching afterschool programs that cultivate the values, relationships and skills kids need to thrive.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization, 15.1 million... Read More
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Achieve Fitness Success Through Group Exercise
Posted January 07, 2013 in
By Bev Thiel, Executive Director, Spartan Stores YMCA
Most would agree that many experiences such as meals, shopping, and laughs, are just better when shared with someone else. So it should not be a surprise that exercising in a group or with a friend is also more enjoyable.
Group exercise classes, like Pilates, Cardio Sculpt, and Yoga, are beneficial to motivate exercisers to connect with others in the community, participate in exercise on a regular basis, and achieve fitness goals. Whether you train with a... Read More
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Resolution Solution
Posted December 17, 2012 in
By Justin Lyons, Senior Health and Wellness Director, Spartan Stores YMCA The New Year is a time for new beginnings. It is a time to reflect on the past and make goals to strengthen one’s spirit, mind and body for the future. And if you are like many, your goal probably has something to do with your physical fitness. While you can’t wave a magic wand and make all of your fitness goals come true, there certainly is a way that you can help ensure your... Read More
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New Year Recipe Rehab
Posted December 17, 2012 in
By Sarah Portenga, Registered Dietitian, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids As the days have grown darker and the weather colder, many look to indulge in favorite, hearty recipes to satisfy their taste buds. Keep in mind that “hearty” does not have to be packed with calories. Ring in a healthier you this New Year by rehabbing some of your favorite recipes to cut the calories, increase nutrients, and enhance flavors.
The next time you prepare to make your favorite recipe, consider the American Heart Association’s... Read More
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Keep Kids Active During Holiday Break
Posted December 11, 2012 in
By Nicole Pratt, Senior Childcare Director, Spartan Stores YMCA In the upcoming weeks, schools across the area will be letting out for the holiday break. The holidays can already be a hectic time, without having to think about how to keep your children safe, active and engaged while you work, shop and prepare for the ensuing holiday gatherings.
Keeping kids from watching too much TV or playing too many video games can always be a challenge. The best way to counteract this is to plan out... Read More
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Basketball Throughout the Ages
Posted December 03, 2012 in
By Dave Leggett, Senior Program Development Director, Southeast YMCA
The YMCA has a rich history of commitment to develop innovative programs that help families lead healthy lives, improve personal and family relationships, become better leaders, strengthen positive values, and develop specific skills, while at the same time building a sense of community; all things that the sport of basketball has encompassed since its’ beginning. It has been more than one-hundred and twenty years since basketball was first invented at the Y, and the fascination still continues... Read More
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Free Military Week at the YMCA
Posted November 09, 2012 in
By Molly Schmid, Senior Membership and Community Director, Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA
November is more than a month to give thanks and celebrate family at the Y. It is a month to recognize, honor, and give thanks to our courageous men and women who serve our country, as well as their families. Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month, something at the Y we take to heart.
In honor of the month, here is our thanks to our... Read More
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The Vendetta Against Obesity
Posted October 08, 2012 in
By Bev Thiel, Executive Director, Spartan Stores YMCA
For the first time ever in history, forecasts from the ““2012 F as in Fat(F as in Fat Report)”:http://www.healthyamericans.org/report/100/” report, are predicting that adult obesity rates could rise above 60 percent in 13 states, with Michigan growing to 59.4%. If we continue on our current path the number of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and arthritis could increase 10 times between 2010 and 2020 – and double again by 2030.
So the question stands, is there any... Read More
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New Facility and KidZone Hours!
Posted September 29, 2012 in
Our recent research showed us that you, our members, were asking for more hours for the branch to be open and more hours for the KidZone to be open!