It is an exciting time for our YMCA. We are about to begin a full renovation of our Central Parkway facility. This YMCA building, originally built in 1917, is at the crossroad of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. The Y serves people of all ages in the urban core through our network of school-based afterschool programs, early learning centers, college access support, senior fitness, neighborhood YMCA facilities, and much more. The addition of a newly refurbished Central Parkway YMCA adds a shining pillar and great complement to our existing programs. The new YMCA will be a powerful health and wellness resource for employers, community residents, and current YMCA of Greater Cincinnati members. What a great way to get ready for the next generation.

 

Our YMCA has been selected as the after school program provider for the Kenton County, KY school district. We are so proud and excited to extend our quality programs to the children and families in Kenton County. The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Afterschool Program has been identified as the most impactful across all Y's in the United States. The Y's Afterschool Program supports youth in their homework, academic enrichment and physical activity, while building skills to help them succeed today and for a lifetime. In our 2014-2016 Strategic Plan - Engage. Ignite. Achieve. - we have a commitment to "Go be the Y" and establish more partnerships to extend the Y's positive impact to more children and families. The Y welcomes all our new Kenton County families!

 

As the weather turns cooler and darkness engulfs us as we travel home, things are really shining brightly at our YMCAs. The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program and the Veteran's Initiative continue to grow and engage more adults in new habits to create healthy connections and prevent isolation and chronic disease. Each day we make our community and our country healthier.  

 

The brightest part of what's inside the Y is you. You bring your friendship, your commitment to children, your enthusiasm for good health, and your ideas for new ways to serve. The Y is full of positive activity, yet it is the groups that support us, the friends we make, our generous donors, the values we share, the way we work together, and how we include all in the Y, that build a future of which we can all be proud.

 

Thanks for being part of something better than any one of us could create alone. We are building the future...and it is shining brightly.

 

   
SANDY WALKER
President and CEO 

The Central Parkway YMCA renovation project is moving forward. On Thursday, October 9, 2014, the YMCA Association Board of Directors voted to approve the investment of up to $4.5 million for the renovations.  Much of the rest of the project, now estimated at $27 million, will be funded by a combination of historic, low-income, and new market tax credits.  The Y is also committed to raising $2-$3 million to ensure the long-term health of the Central Parkway YMCA. 

 

"The redevelopment of the Central Parkway YMCA is the final pillar in the Y's competitive strategy to serve the urban core with programs that develop youth and encourage healthy living," said YMCA of Greater Cincinnati President and CEO Sandy Walker.  "The totally renovated YMCA facility will bring employees and community members together for good health and community collaboration.  The new YMCA will be positioned to serve the community for generations to come and complements the many youth, family, and education programs offered at over 20 locations and YMCA school sites in the City of Cincinnati.  It is an exciting time for our YMCA and our community.  We are grateful for everyone who has helped bring us to this launching point.  It is amazing how much we can do together."

 

The project roughly breaks out to $15 million for the YMCA.  The other $12 million portion of the project will be for 60-65 affordable senior housing units that will be developed by the Model Group and managed by the Episcopal Retirement Homes.

 

The Central Parkway YMCA will close at the end of the business day on Monday, December 8, 2014 for renovations.  The Y plans to reopen in early 2016 with the following exciting features:

• A beautiful two-story health and wellness center, incorporating natural light

• New cardio and strength equipment

• Cycling studio with interactive video programming available

• New locker room lounges for men and women with 50" HD flat screen TV's

• Separate steam and sauna rooms for men and women

• And much more! 

All Central Parkway YMCA members can utilize any of our other 12 YMCA of Greater Cincinnati locations to meet their health and wellness needs...several are located less than 10 minutes from Central.

It works. That is the message that 59-year-old LaCheryl Steele of Avondale wants everyone to know, when it comes to the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). LaCheryl found out about the program through her company's insurance, and began taking classes at the Blue Ash YMCA, and working out at the Melrose YMCA.

 

"The fact that I only had to concentrate on fat grams made this program the simplest to understand that I've ever done - and the most effective," she said. "It all comes down to one point - to keep weight off any way that I can."

 

The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at risk for type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being. The classroom-based program is delivered over a 12-month period, with 16 weekly sessions followed by eight monthly sessions.

 

LaCheryl said she has noticed that her coworkers and friends have been quite complimentary since she began the program and lost 50 pounds along the way. "You always want to hear and are encouraged by compliments from friends," she said. "I've already recommended this program to my coworkers!"

 

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes affects 29 million people in the U.S. Another 86 million - or 35 percent of the adult population - have prediabetes, yet only about nine million know they have it. For more information about the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program, contact YMCA Healthy Living Director Kiana Trabue.