YMCA News Archive

YMCA George Wellbeing Hosts Free Daily Community Acupuncture

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:13:57 +0000

YMCA George Wellbeing Hosts Free Daily Community Acupuncture jeffrey.needham Mon, 01/30/2023 - 09:13

Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN –George Wellbeing, an initiative of the YMCA of the North which is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will be offering free community acupuncture starting February 6 at the Blaisdell and Midway YMCAs for Y members and the public.

The free service is walk-in only and no reservations are needed. All are welcome and no Y membership is required to receive the acupuncture service. Non-Y members will need to bring a photo ID to check in. The 10 walk-in appointments a day fill quickly so people may need to wait. People who are interested to receive acupuncture should arrive 10 minutes before start of the service.

"Health and wellbeing aren’t just about our individual goals of working out and eating right, our wellbeing also needs healing practices in community settings that allow for deep restoration, compassionate connection, and a holistic approach to feeling well,” said Sally St. John, vice president of whole-person wellbeing at the Y.

“The YMCA is honored to be working in partnership with Bill and Penny George and The George Family Foundation to provide integrative healing practices to the community,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the Y. “When individuals and communities are given the right to self-care practices, people start believing their lives matter, their choices matter and their journey can be something to embrace rather than fear.”

WHO:
YMCA of the North George Wellbeing

WHAT:
George Wellbeing Community Acupuncture

WHERE:

Blaisdell YMCA on 3335 Blaisdell Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Midway YMCA on 1761 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

WHEN:
Starting February 6

Blaisdell YMCA

Location: Warehouse

Tuesday: 3-5 p.m.
Wednesday: 2-4 p.m.
Thursday: 9-11 a.m.

Midway YMCA

Location: Studio K

Monday: 9-11 a.m.
Thursday: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Friday: 9-11 a.m.

HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS:
10 walk-in appointments are available each day, but not guaranteed

HOW DOES IT WORK:

Each person is seated in a restorative zero gravity chair. The licensed acupuncturist will check in with each person for a brief consultation. Once the acupuncturist has placed needles, each person can expect to rest for 20-30 minutes. Participants should be prepared to wait for the treatment. Individuals can drop in once in a while or come regularly to maintain wellbeing. Participants should wear loose fitting clothing.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 167 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across 12 counties of the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 28 Y locations and program sites, seven overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.

YMCA Adventure Lab Hosts Kidarod Races

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 15:14:14 +0000

YMCA Adventure Lab Hosts Kidarod Races jeffrey.needham Mon, 01/23/2023 - 09:14

Adventure Race Expands into East Metro on January 29

Ninth Annual West Metro Race Happens February 17 and 18

West St. Paul & Maple Grove, MN – YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host two opportunities for kids & families to take part in the famous Kidarod races. New this year is Kidarod East in West St. Paul on January 29 at Thompson County Park in partnership with Dakota County Parks and The Great Northern festival.

This year’s ninth annual Kidarod West race is presented by Cargill at Fish Lake Regional Park on February 17 and 18. There will be Nighttime Glow Racing on Friday night from 4-8 p.m. with a full day of racing happening February 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Race participants include kids ages 5-17 and adults registered with a kid. Participants choose their start time to create physical distancing and a safe adventure for all.

For the first time in American history, kids have a shorter life expectancy than their parents due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and declining participation in organized sports. The Kidarod, the nation’s largest winter adventure race for kids, is embraced by pediatricians in more than 50 Twin Cities pediatric clinics as a way to motivate kids to be more active.

“We are thrilled to provide safe, unique adventure opportunities for kids and families,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the Y. “When we empower young people to develop healthy habits early, we set them up for future success.”

Kidarod East and West are parts of an adventure race series partnership between YMCA’s Adventure Lab, Dakota County Parks, and Three River Parks District. The Kidarod includes trail running, hill-climbing, hiking, obstacles, sliding and more. The event will attract more than 1,500 participants and will feature fun activities in addition to the race, including a chance to meet a team of husky sled dogs. For more information, visit https://www.ymcanorth.org/adventure_lab.

WHO:
YMCA of the North Adventure Lab, Dakota County Parks, and Three Rivers Parks District

WHAT:
Inaugural Kidarod East & Ninth Annual Kidarod West

WHERE:

Kidarod East: Thompson County Park at 360 Butler Ave E, West St Paul, MN 55118
Kidarod West: Fish Lake Regional Park at 14900 Bass Lake Road in Maple Grove, MN 55311

WHEN:
Kidarod East:

January 29 at 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Kidarod West:

February 17 at 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
February 18 at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 167 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.

Minnesota Secondary Students Learn and Practice Democracy at 69th Annual Youth in Government Conference on January 5-8

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:35:54 +0000

Minnesota Secondary Students Learn and Practice Democracy at 69th Annual Youth in Government Conference on January 5-8 jeffrey.needham Mon, 01/02/2023 - 09:35

St. Paul, MN – The YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host more than 1,200 students in grades eight through 12 for the Youth in Government conference at the Minnesota State Capitol January 5-8.

At the 69th Youth in Government session, participants take on roles as legislators, lobbyists, lawyers, judges, justices and journalists and spend four days running a state model government at the Capitol Complex. The YMCA’s Youth in Government program allows students to elect their own leaders, debate their own ideas, and build a vision for a strong state.

“Young people in Youth in Government aren’t spectators,” said Orville Lindquist, state program executive for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. “They are leaders, organizers, speakers and decision makers. Participating in Youth in Government gives them the opportunity to spend four days with other young people interested in government and our society - exploring ideas, making new friends, and building the skills to take action in their local communities.”

Amy Anderson, executive director for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice, added, “We’re seeing more and more young people speaking out about issues they care about. If we can make a stronger connection between the topics that kids are passionate about and the systems and processes in which laws and policies are made, then we give kids the tools to transform the world into a better, more just place.”

A hallmark of the YMCA’s Youth in Government is youth leadership. Eighteen youth officers, elected by their peers, will lead all sessions. Approximately 125 appointed officials assist the officers in providing forums for exchange of ideas and respectfully discussing potential solutions.

WHO:
YMCA Center for Youth Voice

WHAT:
Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Conference

WHEN AND WHERE:
January 5-8, 2023

Minnesota State Capitol Complex, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

Sessions will be held at the Capitol Complex at the following times and offer photo opportunities:

Friday, January 7, 2023 and Saturday January 8, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 9, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 167 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.