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September 14, 2020
Closed to traditional fitness due to the hazardous air quality's impact for those exercising, your Y opened its doors for showering--- a need for those fleeing wildfires who have found smoke respite centers but no way to get clean.
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"The Y assesses the changing needs of the community during any crisis and determines how we can best respond," says Y CEO Brian Steffen. "Our cities, county and local nonprofits reacted swiftly to create smoke respite centers, but they are unable to offer showers. It is our purpose, our social responsibility, to step up where and when we are needed."
Compounding the wildfire crisis is the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Shower users followed health and safety regulations related to coronavirus: wearing masks, physical distancing, completing a health screening and allowing time for sanitization.
"The fact that our communities' wildfire crisis is happening on top of the hardships created by COVID-19 is devastating," Steffen said. "Everyone is weary and exhausted from the tremendous challenges already experienced. Our hope is that the kindness and support offered by community members, agencies, nonprofits and businesses ease the burden placed on those currently without homes."
To that end, your Y is offering free full-day school-aged programming this fall and free 3-month memberships to those who lost their homes to wildfire or smoke damage.
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Families displaced by wildfires and in need of child care are asked to complete a survey here.
Families and individuals displaced by wildfires and in need of a YMCA membership are asked to or visit our facility at 2055 Patterson St. in Eugene.
Your Y is gearing up for a year of Youth Development unlike any other
The Eugene Family YMCA's fall 2020 youth development programs have expanded, relocated and responded to necessary coronavirus practices in order to best meet families' needs during this extraordinary time.
Traditionally organized as afterschool care, YMCA programs now line up with school districts' pivot to online learning and families' need to work.
School-aged programs will run all day, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., during which YMCA directors will support students' individual Comprehensive Distance Learning, engage them in STEM and promote physical movement. Programs are located throughout Eugene in area churches, in a school in Cottage Grove and Bethel and at the YMCA facility on Patterson Street.
A brand-new Pre-K Plus program provides an option for families whose children were scheduled to enter kindergarten this fall.
In addition to serving families' child care needs, your Y is employing people in the early childhood education field. Youth Development programs are hiring teachers, substitutes and site directors. You could be a child's superhero! Apply today: eugeneymca.org/jobs
Your Support Means The World To Us
Thank you, Y Family, for noticing how we are trying to accommodate the overwhelming needs in our community while respecting the safety practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Your patience, kindness and positive words help us while we work long hours to respond creatively and in new ways.
Y member Susan wrote, "When my granddaughter was born in January, I came down to California to help out. Having just completed the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program year long class, I was determined to maintain my weight loss and regular exercise. I knew I would miss my attendance in Low Impact Aerobics but I was able to take brisk neighborhood walks and that worked.
On the first of August, I came back for a second round of Gramma duty since the family leave concluded and day care was not an option. This time I have been able to attend the Low Impact Aerobics class on Zoom. I am getting the range of movement I missed in January and I see familiar faces as well. Now that would never have happened before COVID-19. I am so proud and grateful for the Y's efforts to continue to provide these services."
Y member Margaret writes, "I do appreciate all the creative ways the Y staff has figured out how to "keep moving," as well as care for kids and grownups (park time)! Excellent job in the midst of a lot of uncertainty!!"
Y member Ann expressed her appreciation for Kari, a Y Instructor and our Membership Director: "If you weren't on the ZOOM page to lead us joyfully through the fun exercises that you do so easily, I wouldn't be motivated to exercise. I want you to know how important you are to me and the other faithful members of our class. We depend on all of you to keep us going and stay as healthy as we can. Staying positive, keeping in touch with family, being involved and keeping hope alive is what keeps me going."
Thank you for your kind words and appreciation. We will continue to find the best and safest ways to promote your health and wellness. As always, let us know what you think of our efforts. We are constantly striving to do better! Drop us a message at [email protected]
This Week Marks More Opportunities for Members
Y our Y remains closed due to hazardous air quality on Monday, Sept. 14. We continue to monitor the air quality to determine when it is safe to reopen. Check HERE for the most up-to-date information.
Our hours of operation have been extended Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (no mid-day closure) Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday: CLOSED
Tennis Center hours remain the same Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday: CLOSED
Y locker room showers are NOW OPEN to members!
Note: The Women's Locker room will be closed from 2 to 2:45 p.m.
Day pass, guest pass and multi-pass users are now welcome
to use the Y. All facility users will exit through the entrance doors.
Cleaning and sanitization procedures have been honed since we reopened and our professional cleaning company, as well as Y staff, are confident that they can complete the necessary COVID-19 cleaning during normal operating hours.
Calling All Water-Lovers to the Y's Aquatics Center
Water-lovers, we are so excited to provide more opportunities for you to work out in our Aquatics Center!
Monday through Thursday, 40-minute Deep Water Exercise is from 9:05 to 9:45 a.m. (Chloe teaches Mondays and Wednesdays; John teaches Tuesdays and Thursdays.) On Fridays, Kali teaches Aqua Zumba.
To reserve a class: -
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Limited to 9 students for each class
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Open 72 hours in advance--- at 6 a.m.
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Please make only 2 reservations for classes each week
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Must be 15 years or older
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After reviewing Oregon Health Authority guidelines and consulting with our local pool certifier, your Y will reconfigure the pool setup to accommodate 4 lap lanes--- each lane is 6-feet wide. Swimmers and aquajoggers will continue to use the center of the lane.
Swim lessons are BACK, with an individualized approach due to coronavirus.
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Private Swim Lessons: 1 Student per lesson
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Semi-Private Swim Lessons: 2 Students per lesson
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Family Group Swim Lessons: 3-4 Students per lesson*
*Students must be within 2 levels of one another
Lessons are scheduled based on pool availability and instructor availability. We will work with you to arrange lesson time, day and number of lessons.
'Walk with Y' Groups to Start Sept. 21
In mid-September, a Y Wellness Coach will lead all-paces walkers around South Eugene. They'll include warm-up and cool-down stretches, information on maintaining balance for walking and ensure that no one is left behind!
Walk with Y groups are Mondays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
Please wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes and a face covering. Bring along a water bottle.
It's free for members!
Register at the Welcome Center or HERE.
Note: This class will start with a Y Health and Wellness staff member for the first 4 weeks to prepare for a member-led group.
Stronger Together Gear Available Again, Thanks to Eugene Magazine!
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Stronger Together apparel is available again thanks to your Y's wonderful partnerships with Eugene Magazine and Threadbare Print House!
This is your opportunity to show that your Y has always been a place where members find and keep life-long friends that help them stay fit and strong--even during a global pandemic!
50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Y to support Y families with financial assistance. Shop today.Celebrate Diversity, Inclusion With Us During Welcoming Week
Your Y believes communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome. Between Sept. 12 and 20, your Y is celebrating Welcoming Week in honor of the growing movement of communities that fully embrace newcomer immigrants and diverse populations and strive to ensure their inclusion.
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Welcoming Week is an opportunity to bring neighbors together in a spirit of unity as we seek to build bridges and heal communities suffering from the effects of systemic racism and discrimination.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Welcoming Week this year focuses engagement on social media, but our hope is to further conversations among diverse groups of people and set the stage for a more robust Welcoming Week next year.
"Welcoming Week is a time to acknowledge our differences, focus on our similarities and celebrate the values of equality and belonging," says Y CEO Brian Steffen. "In order for all of us to be healthy, participate, and thrive in our communities, everyone needs to feel welcome and have that warm sense of home. Our goal at the Y is to help people feel that way."
Your Next Workout Partner is a Survey Away!
Your Y has always been a place where members find and keep life-long friends that help them stay fit and strong! Often, those people are found in group exercise classes or on the basketball court and eventually motivate each other outside of their traditional exercise regime.
A global pandemic has made that harder, but a Y initiative hopes to revive social connections while continuing to focus on health and wellness.
This survey aims to match workout partners based on schedules, abilities and interests. Perhaps it's intimidating to start a new weight training routine or stay on the treadmill for 30 minutes? Maybe you are seeking someone who could challenge you to add variety to your workout? Or sometimes you just want the accountability of meeting another person?
Workout partners are expected to follow all coronavirus-related guidelines, including those about masks and distancing, while still having the opportunity to motivate and encourage each other!
We know that COVID-19 won't take away what is so precious and inspiring about your Y: the ways it connects new people, strengthens bonds among old friends and welcomes everyone.
We hope you find your next workout partner HERE.
Wellness Coaches Available for Personalized Training
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We are excited to again offer one-on-one appointments with a Wellness Coach beginning Monday, Sept. 21.
You can meet in-person or virtually for your Initial Appointment. The Initial Appointment and follow-up in-person Personalized Program are free.
Ongoing one-on-one personal trainings are also available: $35 for one; $140 for 4; or $245 for 8 sessions. To make an appointment, please call 541.686.9622 or stop by the Welcome Center starting Sept. 14.
Your Y Invites Teenagers, ages 12 to 15, to Workout
With the loss of many fall sports, the Eugene Family YMCA has opened its Health and Wellness Center to teenagers in an effort to encourage youth to find meaningful and healthy ways to spend their time. We are inviting 12- to 15-year-olds to train on the strength and cardio equipment under the supervision of trained Wellness Coaches.
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"We want to open our doors so kids can prepare for a sport or just release some energy," says Kim Miller, the Y's Health and Wellness Director. "We want to provide them with somewhere safe, comfortable, and healthy. The Y is the perfect place for that."
The Health and Wellness Center is supervised by a Wellness Coach who can provide tips about form, ensure individuals work out safely and answer questions. Y wellness coaches will be able to identify youth by bracelets issued upon their entry.
Find out more at the Y's Welcome Center!
Prediabetes is reversible! Sign up for your Y's virtual Diabetes Prevention Program
For the first time ever, your Y is launching a completely online YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program designed to reduce risk factors for people with prediabetes to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
Traditionally, this program meets in person at your Y weekly for the first four months, then every other week, then once a month during the last six months.
By creating a virtual one-year healthy lifestyle program, your Y has eliminated typical obstacles for participants:distance to the Y, finding child care and finding parking. The new class begins in early October, but participants need to complete an interview process with Coordinator Kate before orientation on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
What: Virtual YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program: Participants interact and receive support live, online in a group setting with a trained Lifestyle Coach. Dates: First class Oct. 14. Classes run for a year. Time: Wednesday evenings for an hour. Cost: $35.75 per month for 12 months. (Financial assistance available but insurance not accepted).
Bike Donations at Your Y Support Local Families
Thanks to YOU, Free Bikes 4 Kidz Eugene-Springfield collected 28 bikes at the collection event at your Y last month. The bikes have been distributed to local families without 2-wheeled transportation!
Seen and Heard Around Town
Your Y's brand-new Outdoor Studio for group exercise classes garnered lots of attention:
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KEZI 9 News employed a drone to help cover the story. "Adding another outdoor fitness space is a natural way for us to meet the needs of our health-conscious members while also taking the necessary precautions to reduce the spread of coronavirus," says Y CEO Brian Steffen.
KLCC radio visited your Y's Flow Yoga class at the Outdoor Studio and discovered members finding their zen.
The Register-Guard joined your Y for Boot Camp with Instructor Stephanie, who says, "After five months of doing nothing, I would have taught in a mud pit!"
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Melissa kneels to listen
to her student Dylan.
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Oregon Family Magazine highlighted Y Preschool Teacher Melissa Belnap when she was featured on the national podcast Telescope. Melissa tells the story of how she adapted her preschool program to continue to nurture the healthy development of children while also safely responding to a global pandemic.
"We have lots of blue tape all over our floor and on our carpet," she explains on the segment, Pre-K in a Pandemic. "Everywhere there is a blue X, it gives you an example of where you can stand or where you can sit on the carpet and play with your toys 6 feet away from your friends."
"Community leaders with amazing skills will emerge in the new tomorrow. Organizations will have re-imagined their abilities to partner with other community members to meet challenges in ways unimagined prior to 2020. We will have re-shaped our community's understanding of our own ability to achieve new heights, and suddenly what once would have seemed staggeringly audacious will now seem boldly achievable."
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The Cottage Grove Sentinel explains how the Y is breathing new life with its child care programs into Latham Elementary, closed last year in Cottage Grove.
Eugene Family YMCA staff began cleaning the school early this month in preparation for the return of YMCA care in Cottage Grove.
"We're hoping to provide [families] a little bit of normalcy," said Y Youth Development Director Holly Kriz-Anderson. "So their kiddos can be dropped off and they know that they're going to get their classwork done, they're going to have some social interactions and definitely physical activity."
In this month's issue of Northwest 50 Plus Magazine, your Y's Health and Wellness Director Kim Miller explains how to get more out of your next walk or hike.
"With a few simple moves using a bench or table, you can turn your time outside into a full-body workout," writes Kim.
Inspired to give?
STAND WITH YOUR Y HERE. Thank you for your support!
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