Category: Blog

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action – a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it. By taking part in this important campaign and implementing abuse prevention practices year-round, the YMCA of Greater Erie is committing to the safety of all children in our community.

The Know. See. Respond. campaign is back this year, and Childhelp, Common Sense Media, and Committee for Children have shared resources to support this campaign.

Know

KNOWing the facts about child sexual abuse can help adults better understand what to look for and how to prevent it. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to the young people in our lives, we play an important role in protecting them from abuse. Learn more about the different types of abuse, the signs and how you can help at childhelphotline.org.

See

Media and technology are at the center of children’s lives every day. With more of life happening online, what catches their attention isn’t always what’s best for them. As a parent or caregiver, you may SEE a child interacting with media daily, and you can be equipped with the tools and resources to make sure any environment (including online) is free from any abuse. Learn more at commonsensemedia.org/articles/online-safety.

Respond

How can you RESPOND to the call to help prevent child sexual abuse? As a parent or caregiver, you may know it’s important to talk about it, but you may not know what or when to say it. Committee for Children has created the Hot Chocolate Talk campaign, packing decades of research into easy-to-use guides to help you begin these crucial conversations – at any age, from toddler to teen. Visit cfchildren.org/resources/child-abuse-prevention/ to learn more and empower your child to report and refuse sexual abuse.

We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too.

On March 29, 1999, the County YMCA in Edinboro opened its doors with the goal of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that built a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Twenty-five years later, the Y has been a cornerstone of the Edinboro community — a place where families grow, neighbors meet and children learn.

While we are proud of what the County Y has become, we know it’s the people that make the Y the special place that it is.

Join us as we celebrate this milestone, 25 years in the making!

YMCA staff will be hosting a reception in the lobby on Friday, March 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop in to enjoy a treat and share a favorite memory! We’ll have a memory wall available leading up to the event, so stop in any time that week to write in your own and to read what others have shared.

On behalf of our County Y team, past and present, thank you for letting us be a part of your story. We hope to see you on March 29!

We have some NEW CLASSES being offered at our Eastside location!

Join our amazing instructors for:

Core Conditioning: Sundays at 9am
YMCA360 Yoga: Sundays at 10am
YMCA360 Yoga: Mondays at 7am
Yoga: Thursdays at 5:45pm
Bells & Barre: Thursdays at 6:45pm
Zumba: Saturdays at 9am

View all of our available classes here.

Join us in taking an opportunity this Lenten season to de-clutter your home. Whether you get rid of 4 bags or 40 bags, you’ll see how good it feels to not only get rid of things but to help local non-profits in the process. You may also have an opportunity to win some organizational help. Drop off bags at one of our selected community partners, and receive a chance to win 2 hours of organizing services!

Take to one of our community partners below during the stated days and times between Feb 14 and Mar 28 to be distributed to local non-profits:
Tues. 9am – Noon – Laskowski Insurance – 4620 Buffalo Rd
Wed. 9am – 11am – St. Joseph Bread of Life Clothing Store -147 W 24th St
Thurs. 10am – 2pm – Rep Bob Merski’s Office – 3921 Buffalo Road
Thurs. 4pm – 7pm – Razor’s Edge Salon – 5124 Iroquois Ave
Sat. 9am – Noon – Eastside YMCA – 2101 Nagle Rd (North Child Care Entrance)

EASTSIDE YMCA DROP OFF SHOES ONLY ANYTIME DURING OUR HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon – Thur 5:00am – 9:00pm
Fri 5:00am – 8:00pm
Sat 7:00am – 5:00pm
Sun 8:00am – 2:00pm

Items to be donated will go to the following non-profits:
St. Joseph Bread of Life Clothing Store will keep any donations they can use.
YMCA will keep any shoes – Y fundraiser (Funds2Orgs).
Dress for Success, Re-entry Program in need of professional attire.
City Mission, Mercy Center for Women in need of coats and winter items.
St Joseph BOL, Mercy Center for Women, Red Cross in need of any adult and kid’s clothing
Kids Club at EHA in need of kids’ costumes in good condition.
High Schools in need of Prom dresses.
Foster Care in need of suitcases/backpacks/duffle bags.
City Mission in need of sleeping bags (weather-rated).
Ella Cochran Food Pantry in need of pantry items (non-expired, please)

Unfortunately, our volunteers cannot give receipts,.Please see IRS publication 526 regarding the value threshold for property contributions requiring receipts.

DRAWING INFORMATION: You will receive one ticket per bag to be put into a drawing (if the bag contains garbage, it will be documented and the ticket will be invalidated)Tickets will be entered into a drawing for one of the following items: 2 hours of organization services from Sandy’s Organizing Services 2 hours of organization services from Erie Organizing Service yet to be determined from FIXED Home Services See www.ymcaerie.org/2024/01/23/simplify-your-home-40-bags-in-40-days-challenge/ for updated prize information.

TIPS TO CLEAR CLUTTER: 20/20 Rule: Toss items you can replace for $20 and under 20 minutes. 80/20 Rule: We use 20% of our belongings 80% of the time. Either toss, donate, or store the 80% that you don’t use regularly. Five-Second Rule: Take five seconds to remember the last time an item was used. Can’t remember within five seconds? Toss it. Order Matters: Don’t just take our word for it – according to professional organizer Marie Kondo, organizing in this order – clothes, then books, then papers, then miscellaneous items, then sentimental items – has proven to be most efficient and most effective.

Looking for the perfect Christmas Gift?
Starting December 1st through December 15th, use Promo Code STAY7PAY5 to stay 7 days while only paying for 5 at Camp Sherwin.

The promotion is valid only for Friday arrival and can be used on all cabins, RVs, and tent sites booked for 2024.

The discount is not transferrable or redeemable for cash, cannot be combined with other discounts, and cannot be applied toward a current reservation for a future stay. Not valid on holiday weekends.  Holidays Weekends run Thursday – Sunday.

Can be used on consecutive reservations, but each week must be booked separately.    

For more information, or to book your stay, please contact the Camp Office at 814-774-9416 or visit https://www.camplife.com/campground/campsherwin.

We hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner!

Don’t let all those extra calories get you down – Burn the Bird with the Y on Friday, November 24th.
We have an amazing variety of classes planned throughout the day at all of our locations.

Glenwood
5:30am Bootcamp
8:00am Silver Sneakers Classic
8:00am Zumba Gold
9:00am Zumba
10:00am Body Blitz
11:00am Silver Sneakers Classic
11:30am Latin Dance
1:00pm Silver Sneakers Classic

Eastside
6:00am – HIIT
8:00am – Silver Sneaker Stretch
8:00am – Boxing (limited spaces – please stop at the front desk)
9:00am – Cycle
9:00am – Silver Sneaker Classic
9:00am – Bells & Barre
9:00am – Kids on the Move – ages 6-11
10:00am – Family Bootcamp – ages 6 and up
10:00am – Silver Sneakers Yoga Stretch
11:00am – Mindful Stretching

County and Downtown
Our County and Downtown locations will have classes from YMCA360 streaming all day in their fitness studios. Stop in and pick out your favorite to stream.

YMCA360
Enjoy hundreds of on-demand classes: www.ymca360.org/home

For nearly 100 years, the World YMCA and World YWCA have come together to host the Week of Prayer (November 12-18). The theme chosen for this year is “From Seed to Blossom: Cultivating Hope and Love.” If you’d like to participate with us, you can start by downloading the 2023 devotional booklet here: https://www.ymca.int/week-of-prayer/.

History of the Week of Prayer

In a letter to the London YMCA in 1856, F.R. Starr of Philadelphia suggested, “the appointment of a week to be simultaneously observed by the Young Men’s Christian Associations throughout the world for Prayer for the conversion of the world, and for young men especially”.

In 1867 at the 5th World Conference in Paris, the American delegation made the proposal to consecrate Sunday 2nd November and every evening of the week following that day for special prayer for all associations throughout the world. But it was only in 1875 at the 7th World Conference in Hamburg that the second Sunday of November was fixed as the beginning of the “Week of Prayer”.

In 1891, the “Week of Prayer” was included in the Constitution of the World Alliance of YMCAs. In 1901 the YWCA and the YMCA agreed “on the adoption of the same subjects for the annual Week of Prayer”. In 1904 a joint call to prayer was issued by the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs, and the joint Week of Prayer has continued since that time.

Beginning in 1927, messages from the President of the World YWCA and the President of the World Alliance of YMCAs were included in the call to prayer. In 1931 the name of the Week was expanded to “The Week of Prayer and World Fellowship”. Since 1948, the booklets for the Week of Prayer have been presented with pictures, daily messages, and appropriate Bible texts and prayers. Since 1942, the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs have published jointly a booklet each year for the Week of Prayer.

Visit https://www.ymca.int/week-of-prayer/ for more info on the Week of Prayer.

November is Native American Heritage Month and the YMCA of Greater Erie wants to take this opportunity to uplift the culture and history through the voices and stories of Native American individuals and communities themselves. We’re going to explore how we can learn more as a community through four steps – LEARN, REFLECT, CONNECT, and ACTIVATE.

Learn

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the YMCA of Greater Erie encourages our Erie community to LEARN about the contributions, achievements, and struggles of Native Americans through their own words. Visit nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov for resources featuring the work and viewpoints of Native American individuals and communities.

Reflect

The YMCA of Greater Erie encourages you to take the opportunity to REFLECT during Native American Heritage Month. What do you think of when you hear the term “Native American?” Many traditional stereotypes and biases are unknowingly hurtful, disrespectful, and inaccurate. Take the first step by recognizing and reflecting – then visit siouxymca.org/resources for videos and resources by Native American individuals and communities on this topic.

Connect

During Native American Heritage Month, the YMCA of Greater Erie invites you to take the opportunity to CONNECT with Native American individuals and communities in Erie.

Discover Native and Indigenous communities living in your local area and explore ways you can connect, learn, and support. Visit native-land.ca for more info.

Activate

The YMCA of Greater Erie encourages you to ACTIVATE your commitment to diversity and inclusion in Erie by supporting Native American authors, artists, and business owners during Native American Heritage Month. Pick up a new book penned by a Native American author or take the entire family out to a Native American-owned shop or restaurant – ask questions and get your children involved!

Did you know that of the 88 million Americans who have prediabetes, less than 16 percent are aware they have it? November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the YMCA of Greater Erie is encouraging Erie residents to understand their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and the steps to take to prevent the disease.

First, we invite you to take the 60-second American Diabetes Association’s risk test to find out if you’re at risk: https://diabetes.org/diabetes/risk-test.

Next, we are sharing a handful of lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and healthy living that can decrease the risk for type 2:

Talk to Your Doctor

Use this moment as a reminder to talk to your healthcare provider about your diabetes risk factors. This is especially true if you have a family history or are overweight.

More Fruits and Veggies

Try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your day! Eating a colorful array of healthy foods can have a huge impact on your overall health. There are some great fall recipes available including vegetables that are in season this time of year – get creative in the kitchen!

More Lean Proteins

Basic lifestyle changes – such as choosing fish, lean meats, and poultry without skin – can contribute to weight loss and decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Check out some healthy and delicious ways to prepare these proteins at https://diabetes.org/.

Grain Power

There’s power in grain! Aim for whole grains with every meal. A whole grain sandwich filled with fresh veggies and lean meat is both filling and delicious.

150 Minutes of Movement

Small steps matter. Build up to 150 minutes of physical activity per week. You can start with a simple walk each day or check out our Y’s exciting group fitness class schedule. The key is to just keep moving!

Drink More Water

Basic lifestyle changes, like drinking water instead of drinks with added sugar, can contribute to weight loss and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. Carrying and refilling a reusable water bottle is an easy way to keep thirst (and sugary beverage temptation!) at bay.