Your Y is thrilled to partner with Mix 94.5 to continue a decade-long tradition of encouraging movement, health and fun in Alton Baker Park every Wednesday evening throughout the summer: Walk It Off with the Morning Mix is now Walk It Off With the Y!

"We are counting down the days until we can get outside and share our expertise in fun ways with folks who have loved Walk It Off for years and those who are just starting," said Kim Miller, Health & Wellness Director. "It will feature all the same encouragement, inspiration and fun personalities but with a Y twist: you may see a dance class warm-up, a cool-down standing stretch series, or even a kids movement class!"

Participants will receive Walk It Off t-shirts as well!

What: Walk It Off with the Y
Where: Alton Baker Park by the Pavilion
Dates: Wednesdays from June 16 through August 25
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Register HERE.


THIS is the Time to Provide Opportunities For All!

Families need our help! Our members and donors have championed our efforts to provide OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL over the past year. 

Enyo Dzata and her husband found the Y's Youth Development program for their 4-year-old Zoé as soon as school abruptly closed last spring. They were so impressed with the Y's compassionate care through the crisis that they've continued her enrollment since then--- and added her sister Mercy. 

"It was such a scary time and yet it was beautiful to see how people came together to support each other," she says. "The Y took on this new role out of love for the community. The staff's expertise and knowledge about caring for kids during difficult situations meant that this past year has been a joy for Zoé.

Because of YOU, the Y was able to offer $413,506 in financial assistance to 3,411 community members in 2020. During the pandemic school year, the percentage of families who received financial assistance for childcare more than doubled from 2019. 

We invite you to consider continuing your support. Donating is easier than ever: GIVE online. 

Consider becoming a Y CHAMPION by giving monthly to your Y and EXPAND your impact! 


Your Y is Seeking Staff for Summer Programs

Join our team! We are seeking fun-loving individuals excited to guide children's development and form strong relationships with families.

Your Y puts youth development, healthy living and social responsibility first.

There are several part-time and seasonal positions located around Lane County.

Learn more and apply today! 



Wellness Award Honors Youth Development Innovation & Creativity

Your Y's Youth Development team won the Oregon Department of Education's Afterschool Wellness Award for motivating and inspiring youth to participate in fitness challenges in May to honor National Fitness Month.
 
"While the external focus may have been to win points, the internal focus was to promote healthy and fun movement for youth individually and collectively," says Danielle Ragan, Multi-Site Coordinator for the Eugene Family YMCA, who spearheaded the effort. "By modeling healthy and fun movement for youth, we hope to create a generation of youth that enjoy being physically active and turn towards fun activities that promote health across a lifespan."
 
The daily fitness activities at each youth development site included burpees, dancing, squats, jumping jacks and more! 
 
"The applications submitted all demonstrated exemplary implementation of wellness policies but Eugene Family YMCA went beyond the requirements and demonstrated that your organization is making a difference for Oregon youth and helping to prepare them to make life-long healthy food and physical activity choices," according to the award notification.
 
The award is accompanied by a $1,000 cash prize, certificate of recognition, and banner from the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.


Be a Part of Your Y's Art For All Wall!

Your Y is searching for the next artist to display their artwork on your Y's Art for All Wall from June-August. It could be you or someone you know!

Collections submitted for consideration should embody the Y's core values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility and reflect one of our three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.  

Please complete this google form HERE to be considered. Questions? Ask Sarah De Paepe at sarahdepaepe@eugeneymca.org



Tell Us What You Miss Most at Your Y

Have you spent the last year wondering when your favorite group exercise class would return? Or when your family could use PlayCare?

Then fill out this Google form HERE  so that we can notify you when your favorites are back.

We know it's been a tough year and we don't want you to wait any longer than you have to!


Check out our Pickleball and Tennis Offerings!

Two pickleball courts are available for singles or doubles. Please bring your own pickleballs!

Please call the Tennis Center at 541-683-3410 for pickleball court reservations.


Reservations can be made 7 days in advance during office hours. 
  • Monday: 12:15-1:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10:45 a.m.-noon
  • Wednesday: 1:45-3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10:45 a.m.-noon
  • Friday: 10:45 a.m.-noon
  • Saturday: 3:15-4:30 p.m.


Tennis courts are available for singles or doubles. 
  • Maximum 1.25 hours per reservation. 
Tennis Courts are available for reservations:
  • Monday: 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Tuesday:  7 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Thursday: 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m
  • Friday: 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Sunday: 12-4 p.m.
Visit our Website for more information!


Reminder: Masks Still Part of Using Your Y


Even when you have received a Y sticker so you can take your mask off while you are exercising, we ask that you continue to wear your mask in the hallway, around the lobby and in the locker rooms. 


As you know, we continue to care for children ineligible for vaccination, and we are committed to their health and safety. Thank you for your understanding!










RESERVATIONS REMINDER:

Your Y is experiencing an increase in the number of people not showing up for reservations, which eliminates opportunities for others to access health and wellness services. Members who cancel less than 6 hours before their reservation or do not show up for a reservation will be assessed a $10 fee or be restricted from making reservations for 5 days.

TO CANCEL A RESERVATION, please call the Y at (541) 686-9622 or email membership@eugeneymca.org.


Heard Around Town

The Register-Guard revealed how the pandemic has increased food insecurity and highlighted your Y's partnership with Homes for Good Housing Agency and Eugene Burrito Brigade to address hunger.

"Through December 2019, Oregon was experiencing steadily declining food insecurity rates, but in the spring of 2020 the COVID economic crisis reversed that progress and brought the state to levels of food insecurity not seen before, according to a study from Oregon State University's School of Public Policy. Currently, 1 in 4 Oregonians are food insecure, according to professor Mark Edwards at OSU.

When the Eugene Family YMCA received a $15,000 grant from Y-USA, the local Y decided to use the money to help existing efforts against hunger.

"We wanted to help support something that was already happening, instead of kind of reinventing the wheel on our own," said Amber Alexander, grant writer and youth development office and volunteer coordinator for the local Y.



50 Plus Magazine (formerly Northwest 50 Plus) spread's hydration advice from your Y's Health and Wellness Director Kim Miller. 

"You can stay hydrated just by drinking plain water, but there are lots of other hydrating foods and drinks. For coffee lovers, I am happy to dispel the myth that your morning cup o' joe dehydrates you. While caffeine is a mild diuretic, it has enough water content to make up for that."



The Register-Guard featured Y Aquatics Director Sabrina in a Mother's Day story about having children during the pandemic.

Congratulations on your beautiful baby, Sabrina! We know having a baby in a global pandemic is difficult. Your Y family can't wait to hold baby Oakes (and offer you a well-deserved break!)


 
Check out the latest issue of MOM Magazine in Lane County! Your Y won the Community Impact Award and we are featured in every issue.


June is PRIDE Month! Visit our Diversity & Inclusion Web pages to stay up-to-date on local events to learn more about your Y's work to be a leader in driving social progress.




Inspired to give?
GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL HERE.
Thank you for your support!

ENEWS 6/1/2021