The Jamaica YMCA celebrated its America on the Move Week with the YMCA from September 20 through the 27. It was a week of free activities and events to inspire people to take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle and combat obesity.
According to the July 2009 Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s report, the number of obese adults in New York rose by 5.2 percent from last year. The Jamaica YMCA has proudly teamed up with America on the Move Foundation to offer children, teens, adults and families a free one-week membership pass to the Jamaica YMCA.
“America on the Move Week is an opportunity for us to welcome members of the Jamaica community to the YMCA to see us as a resource for their own personal health goals, as well as a catalyst for the improvement of our community’s health as a whole,” said Cedric Dew, executive director of the Jamaica YMCA. “By opening our doors to all for this week of special events and programs, we hope to show New Yorkers just how easy, fun and rewarding it can be to adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
Some of the progressive workshops included a smoking cessation workshop, family fun night, St. John’s University basketball clinic for the youth, and a West African style dance class.
Research by the America on the Move Foundation has shown that making two small daily changes – taking 2,000 more steps and eating 100 fewer calories – can prevent the average annual weight gain of one to two pounds.
“With our hectic schedules, healthy diet and exercise often become afterthoughts for many New York families. America on the Move Week with the YMCA is a way to show New Yorkers just how easy it is to exercise without disrupting everyday routines,” said Sheila Clark-Hawkins, healthy lifestyles director for the Jamaica YMCA.
For more than 81 years, the Jamaica YMCA has been providing vital programs and services to the Southeast Queens neighborhoods of South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens and Jamaica. Through its full-service branch operation and seven program sites, the Jamaica YMCA helps more than 4,500 kids and 5,000 adults develop to their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body, in an environment steeped in core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
For more information, go on online to www.ymcanyc.org/jamaica.
