resolutions of restoration

YWCA opens doors for a healthy start

 

Beginning Monday, January 9, YWCA opens the Patti Johnson Wilson Center and the East Fitness and Aquatics Center to the public free of charge! Get Fit for Free! Week (GFFF!), January 9-14, gives Tulsans an opportunity kick-start their New Year resolutions and begin the year making healthy decisions. Guests are invited to tour the facilities, try out the equipment, take a dip in the pool or take part in one of the many group fitness classes offered.

"Get Fit for Free! is a way for people to see the many ways we can help them on their path toward a healthier life," said Katie Gill Miller, Director of Health and Wellness. "Events like these are a way we can inspire wellness in the Tulsa community and combat the high rate of obesity."

As GFFF! Week winds down, we'll be gearing up for a glowing good time Friday, January 13. A high-energy Zumba Party gets kickin' at 6:00 p.m. at YWCA East, 8145 E. 17th. Free and open to the public, get your groove on with instructors, Betty, Gio and Yawnie. At the same time across town, 6:00 p.m., yoga instructor Margaret Wish will be leading the flow at this year's Glow Yoga Party. For those interested in actually glowing, body paint stations will open at 4:30 p.m. Artists of every skill-level welcome! Both events will have drop-in child care available, but space is limited. To expedite the glowing and the grooving, non-members can fill out the Guest Waiver for the Zumba Party or the Guest Waiver for the Glow Yoga Party, print and bring it with them. 

In addition to Get Fit for Free! Week, Zumba Party and Glow Yoga Party, YWCA is waiving join fees for those who join in the month of January. For more information, please call 

918-587-2100.

training and teaching

Brushing up on skills and sharing some knowledge - I&R style

Thanks to funding from USCIS, A few of YWCA's Immigrant and Refugee (I&R) Services team traveled to Nashville recently for the 2016 National Immigrant Integration Conference. Co-hosted by the National Partnership for New Americans and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, the conference welcomed nonprofit leaders, community organizers, legal professionals and civil servants from around the nation to share best practices around program design and strategize on protecting immigrants' rights. Emmylou Harris (pictured left with Language Services Manager, Diana Keathley), country music icon and Jesuit Refugee Service Goodwill Ambassador, was among the attendees - which was an exciting encounter for some of the team. YWCA's staff returned even more fired up to serve and advocate for newcomers in Tulsa.

YWCA's Immigrant and Refugee Services  team is gearing up for another round of classes beginning Monday, January 9 . The Language Services Department offers multiple English Language Learner levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. Varying class times help to accommodate a wide range of participants. Additionally, for those interested in becoming U.S. citizens, Project Citizenship kicks off on Monday, January 9. To further accommodate those unable to attend on-campus classes, Project Citizenship is offered via distance learning in addition to on-campus sessions . Distance learning sessions include interactive online lessons and individual guidance. Those interested in the Project Citizenship Distance Learning Class, will be required to complete testing and orientation in-person at YWCA East, 8145 E. 17th St. Drop-in child care is available during some on-campus sessions. Those interested in English Language Learner classes or Project Citizenship classes can register by calling 918-663-0377 . Please register by start of class, Monday, January 9 .

water and grow

Health and Wellness team is swimming along

 

The Health and Wellness team is always looking for ways to increase the size and scope of YWCA's community gardening to make a larger impact on the community served. Pathways to Health, a Tulsa Health Department initiative, encourages community collaboration and recognizes organizations positively impacting the health outcomes of Tulsa county. In response to YWCA's community garden, Pathways to Health has awarded YWCA the Healthy Choices Award, which includes a monetary donation that helps to sustain and grow our garden. Other awardees include: Good Samaritan Health Service received the Access to Care Award; Life Senior Services received the Healthy Aging Award; Tulsa Health Department's Personal Responsibility Education Program received the Healthy Kids Award; Tulsa Health Department's Working for Balance received the Healthy Workplaces Award and A Third Place Community Foundation received the Healthy Places Award. 

Make a splash this winter with YWCA's swim lessons - now open for registration. We're gearing up for another session of group swim lessons beginning Monday, January 9 at YWCA East and Tuesday, January 10 at the Patti Johnson Wilson Center. The upcoming group session welcomes kiddos 3 and up. To participate in this session, you must register before Monday, January 9. Registration is available online. For more information, please call 918-587-2100 or visit us at www.ywcatulsa.org.