IMPROVING HEALTH
NYS YMCA Foundation receives $150K COVID-19 Response Grant
The New York State Health Foundation recently awarded a COVID-19 Response Grant totaling $150,000 to the New York State YMCA Foundation, Inc. to improve the physical and mental health of school-age children served by YMCAs across New York state.
Studies have shown that physical activity, nutrition, and mindfulness are essential to children’s mental and immune health, particularly during times of crisis.
As schools had to employ various learning models to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, it has become increasingly difficult for children to receive adequate physical activity and nutrition instruction, a press release from the New York State YMCA Foundation said.
As a result, the release continued, children are now subject to increased risk of chronic disease, depression and anxiety resulting from isolation and other factors exacerbated by COVID-19, such as access to food and social support.
“As the largest provider of schoolage care in NewYork State, the YMCA is uniquely positioned to combat the growing physical inactivity rate among children due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” New York State YMCA Foundation executive director Kyle Stewart said in the release. “We are grateful for the overwhelming support fromthe NewYork StateHealth Foundation and look forward to partnering with our friends at CATCH Global Foundation to fill this critical gap in children’s physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.”
Funding will allow YMCA staff from New York’s 37 associations to partic
ipate in virtual trainings and access CATCH’s new video health and nutrition lessons designed for multigrade distance learning.
Additionally, YMCAs will be equipped with virtual and in-person curriculum and equipment to actively engage children while social distancing, as well as virtually through a screen.
“The COVID crisis has highlighted the interconnection of physical health, mental health, and immune health,” added Duncan Van Dusen, CEO and founder of CATCH Global Foundation. “This partnership will allow us to bring New York’s YMCAs and the thousands of children they serve our new distance-based PE and healthprogramto keepkids well during the pandemic.”
Saratoga Regional YMCA’s executive director of child care services Theresa Cooper said that her department is excited for the opportunity to increase physical exercise and promote healthy living through the resources provided by this grant.
“We know that COVID has impacted physical education programs in schools, and this will provide the YMCA resources to keep children active before and after school while adhering to social distancing protocol,” she said.
Capital District YMCA’s Troy Family Branch executive director Rebecca Atwell also expressed her organization’s excitement about this new funding initiative. “Providing children with meaningful and engaging physical activity has always been a strength of the Y. However, with new COVID restrictions, it has become a challenge,” she said. “The new resources this initiative makes available to our Y will ensure children in our care are afforded opportunities to have fun all while supporting thewhole child.”
More information about the school- age childcare programming offered at the Capital District YMCA can be found online at cdymca. org and more information about these programs offered by the Saratoga Regional YMCA is available online at srymca.org.