Welcoming Hispanic Families to Summer Camp With the support of the UPS Foundation, the Cowart Ashford Dunwoody,

Robert D. Fowler, Tull-Gwinnett and Ed Isakson Y branches will be providing summer day camp for up to 8 weeks to Hispanic-Latino children participating in a school year initiative funded by the Goizueta Foundation. In addition to continuing their affiliation with the Y, this summer bridge program will allow involved youth to continue to enhance language skills and social development in a fun, nurturing camp setting. In total more than 320 weeks of camp will be offered. Just imagine all the memories and friendships this experience will provide!

Connecting to the Community East Lake Outdoor Youth Development Center The future of the renovated center located on Memorial Drive and the revitalization of the adjacent park is highly anticipated. This collaboration with the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County will make it possible for the Y to offer youth wellness, teen leadership programs and sports activities to the local community. This new facility is expected to serve as many as 300 middle school and high school students during the summer and after school hours. Not only will it be a fun, safe and nurturing environment, but programs and activities will be guided by a Youth Board. The Y facility is scheduled to open by the end of 2012. Wade Walker Park Family YMCA The development of the new full-facility Y at Wade Walker Park in Stone Mountain will be a welcome addition to the surrounding community. This important public-private partnership with DeKalb County creates an opportunity for residents to engage in youth, family and adult programs and activities that emphasize Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. The Y is scheduled to open in Fall 2012. Watch for opening details!

Help Children Realize Their Potential Y Regional Golf Event * October 2012 We invite you to take part in Atlantas largest cause-driven golf event, being hosted on four exceptional Canongate golf courses located throughout metro Atlanta. You may select to play either October 8 or 9. Proceeds from this event will fund programs such as pre- and after-school childcare, day camp, youth sports and teen leadership activities. Help us to ensure every child has an equal chance to reach his or her full potential! Visit www.ygolfevent.org for event details and registration.

Thank you for your continued commitment in supporting the programs and mission of your YMCA.
__________________________________________________________________

YMCA of Metro Atlanta 100 Edgewood Avenue NE, Suite 1100 Atlanta, GA 30303 www.ymcaatlanta.org

SUMMER 2012

THE Y FOCUSES ON HEALTHY LIVING

Youth obesity and its long-term impact on lifelong wellness continue to be a major healthcare issue locally and nationally. The Y offers programs that encourage kids to stay physically active during the summer months. We introduce children to new physical activities to offset weight gain and also help them to establish healthier habits. Through your support, these Y programs are made possible to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. KAISER PERMANENTE HELPS CHILDREN GET A HEALTHY START While most preschool programs incorporate time in the school day for movement, development and physical activity, your Y is the first to include a fun, yet structured, program that incorporates moderate to vigorous activity and measures its impact. In conjunction with funding from Kaiser Permanente Foundation, your Y has developed Start For Life. This program, developed as the first phase of a 13-year longitudinal study, fosters the adoption of good exercise and healthy eating habits from an early age, delivered cost effectively by the classroom teachers. Given the promising data collected in its first year, Start For Life will be progressively introduced across all Y preschool classrooms. Start For Life increased moderate to vigorous activity among 1,200 students this year and was a great health benefit to teachers like Meagan Williams and Kari Pennington (photo L-R) of the YMCA Paulding Early Childhood Development Academy. The Start For Life program helped me jump-start my own personal workout, says Meagan. Since getting involved with the kids and their physical activities, Meagan has lost 35 pounds. She continues to grow in her pursuit for better health by exercising at home as well. For Kari, being a teacher made getting active a little easier. By leading the Start For Life preschool exercise program, she was motivated to make adjustments in her diet and exercise habits. She saw results, losing a total of 50 pounds.

CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA AND Y TEAM UP FOR ACTIVE KIDS When you think about quality pediatric care, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta comes to mind. And, when you think of quality physical and childcare programs, we hope the Y tops your list. We are proud to announce these two prominent youth-serving organizations combined their expertise to develop an enhanced version of the Ys highly acclaimed Youth Fit For Life program. This new program aimed at the prevention of childhood obesity includes physical activity, resistance exercises, healthy eating and parental engagement components. The program will not be limited to the after-school setting, and with Childrens Healthcare of Atlantas help, this effort will reach children far beyond the walls of the Y, potentially impacting the healthy lifestyles of youth across the state of Georgia.
Newsletter courtesy of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta Financial Development Department. Questions or comments, please contact us at (404) 588-9622 Ext. 5358.