In a recent conversation with Kristin Hutchins, Health and Wellness Director at the Kraft Family YMCA, I received some amazing insight on the fantastic ways the Kraft Y and Wake Med are committing to being leading examples of healthy lifestyles and making an impact in the western Wake community.
For many years, Wake Med and the Kraft Y have been utilizing the Energize! program. This program reaches out to youth at risk for developing diabetes. The Y has opened its doors and taught healthy exercises and habits to help decrease that risk. Wake Med has taught healthy food and diet changes the youth can make in their everyday life. With many of these youth being responsible for making their own meals, the Y and Wake Med have in turn reached their families at the same time.
Starting this March, the Kraft Y will kick it up a notch with the help of grants, Lincoln Heights Elementary staff, and Wake Med. The Kraft Y is fortunate enough to make this possible through the receiving of a grant from the St. Timothy’s school 5k fundraiser. The Kraft Y plans to use this grant to go into the community where these at-risk children live and help those families that cannot make it to the branch on their own. Lincoln Heights Elementary, within walking distance from the families’ homes, will host the program as the Kraft Y and Wake Med will hold exercise programs, eating lessons, and free child care for the younger family members. This initiative is unlike most and all family members, age’s kindergarten and up, can participate.
The Kraft Y’s goal is to teach these families that they do not need to belong to a gym or have a nutritionist to battle diabetes. The hope is that these tips and tricks will be easily accomplished in their homes and neighborhood while motivating the families. Another long term goal under the Energize program is to have tennis shoes donated so the children can participate in the St. Timothy’s 5k, who without their grant, none of this would be possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment