YMCA of the USA

What an absolute joy to see this innovative #YMCA mission in action! The YMCA Camp St. Croix has an operational farm that will yield over 12,000 pounds of food to nourish food insecure families this year! Their mission is to bring participants, families, and the community together through eating what they grow, addressing food insecurity, and educating on regenerative farming practices. I saw firsthand 50 chickens the Y’s nature based preschool incubated and hatched! Summer campers had been enjoying the sensory garden, playground, as well as helping tend and harvest the berries, tomatoes, and zucchini! That harvest was being delivered in partnership with River Valley Charities WI MN to local families that needed some help stretching their food budget to provide quality nutrition on their tables. The high tower built with the generosity of area farmers and donors enables this Y to produce 9 full months out of the year! With a refurbished barn and event center, communities can gather for celebrations, learning opportunities such as cooking classes, and even enjoy local farmers markets with area vendors/growers. What a win - a community connected, nature being lovingly stewarded, kids learning and growing, and people being well nourished! Well done YMCA of the North team!!! #TheYFeedsKids #ForaBetterUs #FoodAccess #HungerHeroes #RegenerativeFarming #NutritionSecurity #Innovation Shout out to Stacy John, Anna Zimmerman, and Dan O’Brien for helping coordinate this impromptu visit and my YMCA of the USA colleague Karen Friedman for joining! Want to learn more? Check out this article: https://lnkd.in/e-j5HxFw

Imagination running wild? ✅ Knowing your kids are safe, happy, and cared for? ✅ Building confidence one roar at a time? You bet. Afterschool programs do more than fill the hours when school lets out—they help kids discover who they are and what they love, whether that’s a T. rex or piecing together a tricky puzzle. With caring staff, enriching activities, and a supportive environment, every afternoon is packed with laughs, learning, and a little bit of magic. 📚 Enroll in an afterschool program today at your local Y - find yours at https://bit.ly/3r61QS5

The countdown is on: back-to-school season is officially here! If you're somewhere between “still in summer mode” and “already Googling lunchbox hacks,” we’ve got you covered. From easing into new routines to setting up a homework zone that might actually get used, our Y experts are sharing top tips to help your family start the school year strong—and maybe even with a smile. Check out the full article for simple ways to make the transition smoother for everyone. #BackToSchoolWithTheY #NewYearNewRoutine

In celebration of 60 years of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz recently visited the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, where he saw firsthand the Y’s powerful impact on community health and wellness. At the Y, we’re proud to serve 1.6 million Medicare beneficiaries annually across more than 1,500 locations nationwide, along with millions more through Medicaid programs. As the nation’s leading in-person provider of evidence-based chronic disease prevention and management programs, we’re committed to helping individuals live healthier, more connected lives. From diabetes prevention and cancer survivorship to hypertension management, arthritis control, and fall prevention, the Y is making a difference—one community at a time.

We’re excited that Greg Waibel will be joining Y-USA next month as our new Chief Operating Officer. A seasoned Y leader with deep operational expertise and a heart for community, Greg will bring valuable leadership and insight to our team.

They might be more focused on the grass or shoot at the wrong goal, but every try matters. At the Y, we turn stumbles into stepping stones, and effort into confidence. #YMCAYouthSports

Summer is a season of opportunity—and at the Y, we believe learning should never take a vacation. Across the country, Ys are helping young people stay on track academically, socially, and emotionally through high-impact summer learning programs. From literacy and STEM enrichment to arts, physical activity, and leadership development, our programs are designed to close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has the tools to thrive—year-round. Because we know that when kids are supported during the summer, they return to school more confident, more curious, and more connected. A huge thank you to our educators, staff, volunteers, and community partners who make this work possible. Together, we’re building brighter futures—one summer at a time. National Summer Learning Association #SummerLearningWeek

Summer is here—and so is pool season. At the Y, we’re committed to helping families enjoy the water safely. While drowning prevention is critical, it’s just one part of the safety equation. Slippery decks, broken equipment, and poor visibility can all pose serious risks. We’ve identified 8 common pool hazards and practical ways to prevent them. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or community leader, this guide is a must-read for a safer summer. 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gccWP_W7

Lindsay Mondick, Director of Aquatic Safety for the YMCA of the USA and a lifelong advocate for drowning prevention, joins Dr. Mona Amin on the Peds Doc Talk Podcast to talk about what drowning really looks like (spoiler: it’s not like the movies), why so many tragic incidents happen with adults present, and how something as simple as putting your phone down can be the difference between life and death. Watch the interview below or tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about the Y's new water safety campaign and take the Phones Down, Eyes Up pledge to help keep kids safe around water--this summer and all year long--at www.phonesdowneyesup.org.

As summer kicks into full swing, many of us are spending more time at pools—whether it’s in the backyard, at a hotel, or in the community. But even familiar places can pose unexpected risks. From slippery decks to faulty drains, there are hidden hazards you might not notice. Our experts are sharing 8 of the most common pool hazards and how to avoid them. It’s a quick read that could make a big difference. #WaterSafety #BeAWaterReadyFamily