Category: General News

Erie, PA – The YMCA of Greater Erie, a vital nonprofit organization, has received an $11,000 grant from the Erie County Gaming and Revenue Authority to install a teaching kitchen within the Community Learning Center at the downtown Y at 31 West 10^th Street.

“This grant will help us to install a functional kitchen including island, stove, kitchen hood, dishwasher, storage, serving space etc. needed to implement a culinary arts program for low-income youth that participate in the Y’s Teen Center,” said Joey Evans, YMCA Teen Center Director. “The best way to teach kids about eating right is to get them into the kitchen to prepare healthy flavorful meals together. Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, as well as building math, science, literacy and fine motor skills.”

The kitchen will be designed by Weber Murphy Fox and Supply One; the culinary arts program will be led by Lisa Heidelberg, owner of Dinner is Served. We anticipate additional collaborations with the Oasis Market, Mercyhurst University, Erie High School, East Middle School, Strong Vincent Middle School, Collegiate Academy, Gannon University and Erie Center for Arts & Technology.

According to Evans, “The project’s goals are to provide youth-centered, hands-on food literacy education that highlights general nutrition, food safety, selection, preparation, and cooking skills. Effort will be taken to build upon existing skills each week in order to improve skills while empowering the youth by building upon their food related self-esteem and self-efficacy.”

Evans goes on to say, that many of the participating teens assist in the upbringing of their siblings in the absence of parent or guardian. This program could also will provide extended classroom learning and augment the curriculum offered at Erie High School.

ECGRA’s grant will be matched by donations received by the Y through their annual campaign.

-30-

Erie, PA –  The YMCA of Greater Erie, a vital nonprofit organization, is extending a helping hand to the displaced workers of the Erie Coke facility.

“Perhaps its job loss, an extended illness, divorce- or any number of unforeseen situations – that an organization like the Y is most needed. It’s in these most stressful times that the Y can be most helpful in filling the gaps until they are back on their feet,” said Gerry Vandemerwe, YMCA of Greater Erie CEO. “The Y quickly becomes the ‘go to’ place for family recreation and personal health.”

According to Vandemerwe, displaced workers of Erie Coke will receive one free month of membership and at conclusion of the free month will then be extended a scholarship based on their household circumstances.

The Y’s Financial Assistance Program is funded through generous contributions to the Y’s Annual Campaign; the Y returns more than $1 million annually in scholarships and free programs and services back to the community.

“The program’s expanded structure now includes four levels of income and subsidy to make sure that our program reflects the median household income of Erie County (Source: Erie Vital Signs County – $48,000, City- $36,000).  Y’s are reflections of the local community; we want a program that is flexible to help people when they need us most,” said Vandemerwe.

For example, a family of four can earn as much as $75,300 and qualify for a 25% subsidy and that same family of four can earn as much as $25,100 and qualify for a 75% subsidy. Each award considers factors such as income, family size, household expenses and personal circumstances.

“We don’t pretend to know what is going on in someone’s personal life.  We find, more often than not, our public persona is not necessarily an accurate reflection of what is going on behind closed doors,” said Vandemerwe.

“If the Y can help you and your family, simply come to your local Y location and ask for an application for the Financial Assistance program – or you may download from ymcaerie.org.”

-30-

Erie, PA – It is no secret that health care costs rank among the top concerns of local employers for much of the last decade – especially here in Erie County which ranks among the most unhealthy counties in Pennsylvania.

The YMCA of Greater Erie recognizes its role in removing barriers to health and wellness – which includes affordable access as well as convenience.

The Y’s expanded financial assistance program structure now includes

four levels of income and subsidy to make sure that the Y’s program reflects the median household income of Erie County (Source: Erie Vital Signs County – $48,000, City- $36,000). 

“Y’s are reflections of the local community; we want a program that is flexible to help people when they need us most,” said Gerry Vandemerwe, YMCA of Greater Erie CEO.

For example, a family of four can earn as much as $75,300 and qualify for a 25% subsidy and that same family of four can earn as much as $25,100 and qualify for a 75% subsidy. Each award considers factors such as income, family size, household expenses and personal circumstances.

“We don’t pretend to know what is going on in someone’s personal life.  We find, more often than not, our public persona is not necessarily an accurate reflection of what is going on behind closed doors,” said Vandemerwe.

“If the Y can help you and your family, simply come to your local Y location and ask for an application for the Financial Assistance program – or you may download from ymcaerie.org.”

The financial assistance program includes subsidies for membership, childcare and programs such as summer camp.

In addition, employees working in downtown Erie may now hop on a free YMCA shuttle bus during the lunch time which avoids the hassle and time of finding a place to park and walking to and from the employer’s parking lot.

The shuttle service is provided free to Y members and observes the following schedule Monday-Friday:

Pick-up:

State Street facing SOUTH between W. 2 & W. 3 @ 11:45 a.m.

North Park Row facing EAST between State & French @ 11:54 a.m.

Return:

Depart DTY 1:05 p.m.

Drop EAST on W. 3 & State Street

Drop SOUTH on French St. & North Park Row

For more information about the shuttle service or financial assistance, contact Tammy Roche at (814) 452-1432 ext. 252 or [email protected].

-30-

New and Gently Used Winter Clothing Collection

Help keep local families warm this year. Please help us make a difference in making sure our community stays warm this winter!

Donate your gently used or new coats, boots, hats, gloves and scarves to any of our YMCA locations from January 1st until January 31st.

If you have any questions, please contact your Community Involvement Coordinator.

Officials from United Way of Erie County in partnership with Erie’s Public
Schools have announced the community school directors at Harding Elementary and Perry Elementary, United Way’s newest community schools. The announcement of these two schools coming on board as
community schools was made earlier this year, bringing the total number of schools included in United Way’s community schools partnership to ten countywide. Shanna Schumacher will serve as the Community School Director at Harding Elementary. Shanna is an Erie native who attended Edinboro University and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education. She is a former classroom teacher and reading specialist passionate about building relationships with students and families to help them be successful. Schumacher most recently served as the Literacy Programs Manager at the Achievement Center, volunteer for Erie City Moms, HOPE Rescue and United Way’s Raising Readers initiative. She was honored at the 2018 UnifiedErie Youth Work Awards as the recipient of the
Youth Empowerment Award.

Read more

Merdick Mitchell, or “Mitch” as he’s called, is one of our early morning YMCA members. He works out diligently (which he says helps when you’re a “foodie”), then stops for a lively chat (and sometimes a donut) with his group of friends in the lobby. Mitch is married, has children and grandchildren, and retired from the US Post Office. But before he had his job and his family, he was drafted into the Army for the Vietnam War, something that affects him even today.

Mitch was a young man working at Lords to be a machinist when his number came up, changing the trajectory of his life. After training, he went to Vietnam, where he ultimately suffered injuries from an explosion during the Tet Offensive and came back to the states to be treated at Valley Forge General. At the time, he downplayed his medical issues: “if you didn’t have issues, you got to go on the plane to go home,” he says. “If you said you did, that delayed getting back home.” His young ego also had something to do with de-emphasizing his injuries. He said he could walk, even though he did so with great difficulty. The struggle getting in the taxi to leave, as well as navigating the steps up to the plane still stick in his memory, as does having to resort to coming down those steps backwards after he landed.

While Mitch to this day has issues with his back and legs due to shrapnel (he still has shrapnel in his legs and suffers from neuropathy), those aren’t the only effects from his time at war. He feels some effects from PTSD, as do many returning veterans, and he also has health issues related to Agent Orange exposure. But with all that, Mitch says he doesn’t have it bad compared to others, and he still grieves for two childhood friends whose lives were lost in the war.

Mitch says his greatest resource for veterans’ services was speaking to other veterans, something he’s more than happy to do now to help other vets. “Interacting with other veterans helps to know what path to take,” he says. The American Legion also has advisers available for those with questions. He suggests to veterans going to the VA for services that they take time beforehand to write down what their symptoms are, and “strongly emphasize your issues” (don’t play them off) when meeting with the VA, to ensure that they get the best care. Veterans who think they have been exposed to Agent Orange need to make sure they get on the registry –  they will receive a newsletter to help educate them to its effects and any new progress, as well as become eligible for any related services, treatment, or compensation.

When asked if coming to the Y helped with his issues, he said absolutely! Working out has a calming effect with him: “it helps to fill the void and block out negative issues.” As for his morning group, he enjoys their discussions on politics, sports, health care, and a variety of other topics. They don’t always agree, and that’s okay; they will poke fun, but there are no hard feelings. At the end of the day, they agree to disagree. According to Mitch, that’s the best kind of therapy for him.

The Erie VA Medical Center and the YMCA of Greater Erie are partnering to expand yoga, tai chi, nutrition, water fitness and other whole health programs to Veterans.

Erie VA Medical Center is just one of 18 pilot locations across the US within the Department of Veterans Affairs implementing Whole Health.

 “Whole Health for Life represents the VA’s transformation from traditional disease management, to a more comprehensive approach that is based in partnership across time focused on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of each Veteran,” said John Gennaro, Medical Center Director, Erie VA. “We are working hard to provide this personalized, proactive, patient-driven approach through the support of not only the Veteran’s health care team, but also trained peers, well-being teachers, coaches and community partners like the YMCA.”

In 2019, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and YMCA of the USA renewed their partnership to promote and enhance the health and well-being of Veterans and their families.  The agreement makes it easier for Veterans Benefits Regional Office and Veterans Health Administration facilities to work with local YMCAs to ensure that Veterans are connected to needed resources and opportunities in their communities.

“The proud heritage of YMCA service to the military setting dates to 1861, when dedicated YMCA volunteers took to the battlefields of the Civil War alongside America’s uniformed young men. Our nation’s Veterans, and their families, have dedicated so much in service to our country”, said Gerry Vandemerwe, YMCA of Greater Erie CEO. “I’m pleased to announce that this local partnership continues that legacy by further expanding the scope of our services.”

Veterans are introduced to the Whole Health for Life approach to care through an introductory session with a VA Whole Health Coach. “This partnership focuses on the Veteran’s values and aspirations for health and well-being, including self-care and complementary therapies, along with conventional medical care,” said YMCA of Greater Erie Healthy Living Program Director Michele Schroeck.

Schroeck said that Introduction to Whole Health sessions are the first and third Thursday of the month from 4-6 p.m. at the Glenwood ParkY or the VA Medical Center the second or fourth Friday of the month from 9-11 a.m. by appointment with Whole Health Clerk Mary Ferloin at 860-2437.

In addition to the Whole Health for Life program, the VA and the Y also have partnered to provide free, one-month memberships to any local Veteran that is currently receiving services through the VA. Veterans must obtain a Y flyer from the VA for eligibility for a free one-month membership which can be presented to any local YMCA of Greater Erie location. 

“This November, when a new member joins the Y, their join fee will help provide a free one-month membership to a local Veteran,” said Vandemerwe.

Local Y locations are also collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for donation to the Liberty House, a transitional shelter for homeless Veterans. Items can be dropped off at any local Y facility now through Nov. 30.

Finally, Vandemerwe said that the Y will honor local Veterans and their families at an appreciation brunch on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Glenwood Park Y at 3727 Cherry Street.

For more information on the Veterans Services program offered through the Y, contact Michele Schroeck at 868-0867.

Maria Schall, founder and event director, recently announced this year’s Brew Run and Walk will be held on Friday, July 26th at the beautiful Sprague Farm & Brew Works located at 22043 US  HWY 6 & 19 in nearby Venango.

Participants can run, jog or walk their way around this approximately two mile trail which borders scenic and historic French Creek and winds its way through sixty acres of pristine farmland. 

The 7 PM start time will give everyone an adequate opportunity to complete the two-mile course in the cool of the evening while enjoying a canopy of oak trees, fields of switch grass, wooded trails and perhaps a bit of mud in the late July twilight.  Runners and walkers on the 2 mile trail can stop along the route to enjoy some refreshment before returning to the Sprague Farm Pavilion where, after crossing the finish line, will have access to snacks.  Also, each runner will receive a refreshment from the Sprague Farm & Brew Works and the Riverside Brewing Company.  Other beverages will be available as well.

This is a win/win opportunity for everyone.  Participants can pre-register for a $30 fee by July 20th.  Late registration up to and including the day of the event is $35. Register online or drop off or mail a check made payable to County YMCA with the registration form to County YMCA 12285 YMCA Drive, Edinboro, PA 16412

For this reasonable fee, everyone will have the opportunity to join fellow runners and walkers and to enjoy the summer vistas of French Creek valley while proceeds from the Brew Run will be directed to benefit Edinboro’s own County YMCA.

Registration forms are available at the main desk at the County Y, Brink Ink Screen Printing & Embroidery and the Lakeside Bagel and Deli, all located on Route 6N west of Edinboro; at the Sprague Farm & Brew Works at 22113 U.S. Highway 6 & 19 just north of Venango in nearby Crawford County and at Achilles Running Shop, 2309 W 12th St. in Erie.  Additional information is available by calling the County YMCA at 814-734-5700.  Note that all participants in this annual event must be 21 years old.