Dear Friends and Family,
Thanks for visiting my Reach Out For Youth and Families Fundraising Page. Reach Out for Youth and Families is a truly special campaign that helps all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, to experience our YMCA programs. The heartwarming stories are endless; the smiles that result are countless. I ask you to take a few minutes to read about why ROFY and the Y are so important in my life and the lives of others.
I have worked for the Y for the past thirteen years and with the Hockomock Area YMCA for the past three years. As the Senior Director of Health and Wellness for the 15 communities we serve, I am blessed to have a team of five, soon to be six, outstanding directors. This team develops innovative programs that are truly life altering for the individuals we serve. Recently our work includes opening a YMCA inside Foxboro High School. This project serves hundreds of teens each week by teaching long term healthy habits to help combat obesity.
Our new organic farm in partnership with the conservation department supplies healthy food to individuals at the YMCA as well as the food pantry. The innovative curriculum and volunteer opportunities create a place for families to connect and learn healthy habits.
I find myself fortunate everyday to work with my staff colleagues and community partners to deepen the impact of the Hockomock Healthy Futures Initiative. This is our collective approach with community stakeholders, local school systems, doctors, hospitals, parents and our 15 communities at large to combat the youth obesity and inactivity epidemic through intervention, prevention, and sustainable change.
One of my directors recently shared that at the completion of her youth obesity intervention programs called PAC (promoting achievable change) the mother hugged her goodbye and started to cry. She said, "I used to cry because I thought my daughter would never have confidence to try and be physically active. Because of this program and the Y, she won't stop talking about walking the dog, participating in phys ed class, and reading food labels. I'm crying now because you changed not only her life, but everyone in our family".
Another of my team members just launched the pilot program called "Fit for Life" for individuals with type II diabetes. She has a member that at her last appointment her doctor informed her that after only 6 weeks in this program she is almost off of her medicine and uses her oxygen tank now only a few hours a day. She was proud of her new found love of wellness she shared she was excited now to be able to live long enough to see her grandchildren grow up and be healthy enough to play with them.
The Y is so much more than a gym; it's a community in itself that works everyday to improve the health and wellbeing of all individuals. 100% of your gift will go straight to kids, teens, single adults, children, and families in our many program areas. When considering about a gift, I ask you to think about the difference you could be making in the life of a child or adult.
$30 allows a family to join the PAC Program and increase the education essential for making healthy choices everyday
$60 gives a youth the opportunity to complete Youth Strength Training so he/she can learn life-long physical activity habits
$75 gives a child an opportunity to play in our youth soccer, baseball or basketball league
$100 provides one week of childcare for a parent who needs it to keep his/her job
$150 give a teen a membership so that he/she can work out and learn a healthier lifestyle while not in school
$250 allows a child to attend camp for two weeks to build new friendships and the social skills he/she needs to thrive
Please join me in contributing a gift to the 2011 Reach Out for Youth and Families Campaign and help our communities continue to grow, thrive and create lifelong, healthy habits. Last year our Y gave out over 1.2 million dollars in confidential scholarships to support families in need. As a mom I feel blessed to be able to provide my children with opportunities to swim, play sports, attend camp, and day care. Our personal gift is to ensure every child will have the same opportunities.
I appreciate your support!
Kimberly