https://www.ymcanorth.org/ en https://www.ymcanorth.org/news/2023/08/28/4703127/harold_mezile_north_community_ymca_partners_with_north_commons_park_west <span>Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Partners with North Commons Park, West Broadway Livability Coalition, Northside We Outside and Friends for a Free Back to School Community Event on August 31</span> <span><span>jeffrey.needham</span></span> <span>Mon, 08/28/2023 - 09:08</span> <div class="field-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//d2o2hgyhrq7n36.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2019-01/ymca_logo_blog_tn.png" width="185" height="120" alt="Y logo" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <p><strong>Minneapolis, MN</strong>– The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, West Broadway Livability Coalition, and Northside We Outside and Friends is hosting a free back to school family event on Thursday, August 31 at North Commons Park in Minneapolis.</p> <p>The event aims to provide a night of fun and celebration for families and students as they approach the 2023-2024 school year in Minneapolis. There will be free backpacks, music, family photos, bouncy house, free haircuts, food and much more.</p> <p>“We are excited to collaborate with local businesses and community leaders to offer events benefitting youth and families in our North Minneapolis neighborhood,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the YMCA of the North. “Our hope is to provide educational and enrichment opportunities for all youth to learn, grow and thrive.”</p> <p><strong>WHAT:</strong><br /> Free Back to School Community Celebration</p> <p><strong>WHERE:</strong><br /> North Commons Park at 1801 North James Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411</p> <p><strong>WHEN:</strong><br /> Thursday, August 31 at 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.</p> <p><strong>About the YMCA of the North</strong></p> <p>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 <a href="/">www.ymcanorth.org</a>.</p> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 14:08:09 +0000 jeffrey.needham 4703127 at https://www.ymcanorth.org https://www.ymcanorth.org/news/2023/08/14/4696544/vikings_legend_greg_coleman_hosts_celebrity_golf_tournament_and_minneapolis <span>Vikings Legend Greg Coleman Hosts Celebrity Golf Tournament and Minneapolis North High School Football Coach Charles Adams Receives Honor on August 15</span> <span><span>jeffrey.needham</span></span> <span>Mon, 08/14/2023 - 09:35</span> <div class="field-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//d2o2hgyhrq7n36.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2019-01/ymca_logo_blog_tn.png" width="185" height="120" alt="Y logo" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <p>The Greg Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, MN to support the YMCA in advancing the health and wellbeing of our communities through youth mentoring and sports programs. Check out this video about Y summer youth programs and Omar McMillian, Y youth sports leader and Richfield High School basketball coach and teacher, sharing why these programs make a difference video: <a href="https://youtu.be/saKKr0DBQJI">YMCA Supporting Youth Sports</a>. Visit with Greg Coleman, Vikings legend and member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, on the importance of supporting youth in our community to help them make friends, keep healthy, learn new skills, play outside and much more. During the program after the tournament, Minneapolis North High School Football Coach Charles Adams will receive the Champions Award for community service.</p> <p><strong>YMCA’s Greg Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament Schedule</strong></p> <ul><li>11:45 a.m. – Welcome and Announcements</li> <li>Noon – 18 Hole Scramble Shotgun Start (with Celebrity 5th Golfer)</li> <li>5:00 p.m. - Social Hour and Silent Auction (Banquet Room)</li> <li>5:30 p.m. -  Dinner, Program, Prizes and Live Auction (Banquet Room)</li> </ul> Mon, 14 Aug 2023 14:35:21 +0000 jeffrey.needham 4696544 at https://www.ymcanorth.org https://www.ymcanorth.org/news/2023/08/14/4696540/ymca_hosts_annual_breakaway_events_on_august_18_19_at_elm_creek_park <span>YMCA Hosts Annual BreakAway Events on August 18 &amp; 19 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove</span> <span><span>jeffrey.needham</span></span> <span>Mon, 08/14/2023 - 08:50</span> <div class="field-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//d2o2hgyhrq7n36.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2023-08/news-081423-breakaway.jpg" width="185" height="120" alt="YMCA Hosts Annual BreakAway Events" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <p><strong>Maple Grove, MN</strong> – The YMCA of the North, which is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host its annual BreakAway Splash &amp; Dash on Friday, August 18, and the BreakAway Kids Tri on Saturday, August 19, at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove.</p> <p>The BreakAway events are a fun, engaging way for kids and families to have a personal best experience that builds confidence and a love of movement in nature.</p> <p>At Friday’s BreakAway Splash &amp; Dash, racers will participate in a 100-yard shallow swim and run a mile on a course filled with fun obstacles, including running through a cloud of bubbles and sliding down a giant slip-n-slide. This event, a perfect introduction to racing, is for kids ages 4-8 and adult race buddies. Many parents and even grandparents enjoy participating with their kids/grandkids.</p> <p>At Saturday’s BreakAway Tri, the kids participate in a 100-yard shallow swim, 5 mile bike ride inside the beautiful park trails, and 1 mile of running with fun obstacles.</p> <p>Both events conclude with a victory at the fan-favorite finish line. All participants get a cool race shirt and custom medal.</p> <p>Pediatricians around the Twin Cities prescribe the BreakAway events to kids as a way to have them set a goal and be active outdoors. "It's great to prescribe something fun and healthy rather than medication when working with youth on their wellbeing,” said Dr. Tracy Hall of South Lake Pediatrics. “Kids love these events and families are energized to be healthier together.”</p> <p>The BreakAway events – and all other Y adventure races – are hosted in Three Rivers Park District spaces. The Y and the Three Rivers Park District share a mission to bring new populations into nature-based experiences.</p> <p>“The YMCA is proud to work with community partners to provide unique wellness opportunities for kids,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the YMCA of the North. “When we empower young people to develop healthy habits early, we set them up for future success.”</p> <p><strong>WHO:</strong><br /> YMCA of the North Y Adventure and the Three River Parks District<br /> 500 racers at the BreakAway Splash &amp; Dash on Friday, August 18<br /> 550 racers at the BreakAway Kids Tri on Saturday, August 19</p> <p><strong>WHAT:</strong><br /> BreakAway Splash &amp; Dash and and BreakAway Kids Tri</p> <p><strong>WHERE:</strong><br /> Elm Creek Park Reserve at 12400 James Deane Parkway in Maple Grove, MN 55369</p> <p>WHEN:<br /> BreakAway Splash &amp; Dash on Friday, August 18 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.<br /> BreakAway Kids Tri on Saturday, August 19 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. (Racing begins at 9:00 a.m. and finishes around 10:45 a.m.)</p> <p><strong>About the YMCA of the North</strong></p> <p>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 <a href="/">www.ymcanorth.org</a>.</p> Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:50:52 +0000 jeffrey.needham 4696540 at https://www.ymcanorth.org