beCause whY

On the heels of the Annual Campaign Kickoff, YMCA of Central Ohio Annual Campaign Coordinator Nick Sherriff joins us to discuss what an annual campaign is, the Y as a non-profit, how the Y impacts the community, ways you can get involved, and the importance of giving back.

For 14 years, the Downtown YMCA has hosted The Big Ride, a 3-hour cycle party/marathon/event that serves as the Downtown YMCA's kickoff fundraising event. 100% of all proceeds benefit members, guests and residents at the Downtown YMCA. Listen as we hear from Downtown YMCA Staff and a Big Ride Participant, and Instructor (yes- Lauren has multiple talents!) as they discuss why the Big Ride, What the event is, how you can get involved, favorite stories from the past, what you can expect from this year's ride, and why it is such an impactful event for not only participants riding, but for the Downtown community as a whole.

The Early Childhood Resource Network + (ECRN+) works with children with special needs and their families to provide support, conduct developmental screenings, help families prepare their children for kindergarten, perform on-site child observations. Tim Pawlak from the YMCA’s ECRN+ program and Brooke Bernstein, from Nationwide Children’s hospital, join us to discuss the Equipment Loan Program, which lends adaptive and mobility equipment to families within Franklin County. We discuss the origins of the program, partnerships, success stories, and the need that the program fulfills for families with children with special needs.

YMCA CommunityCrops, a member organization through AmeriCorps is dedicated to making the communities of Hilltop and Linden better through neighborhood beautification, safe routes to school and being involved in mid day health and wellness within Columbus Public Schools. But really, what they do outside of their job description every day to help the kids in these schools is what makes this program so special. Join us as we chat with Greyland Williams, Community Initiatives Director of the YMCA CommuntyCorps Program and Amber Broadus, a CommunityCorps Alum who is now CommunityCorps Coordinator and two current Corps members, Tajuana and Shelisa as we talk about all of the positive this program is bringing to the community, and what it means to them.

As we are wrapping up the month of November, we are also wrapping up National Diabetes Awareness month. Diabetes happens when your blood glucose, also referred to as blood sugar is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin helps glucose be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough or any insulin. Those with poor diet and exercise can be especially susceptible to type 2 diabetes. For those 1 in 3 Americans struggling with prediabetes, where your blood glucose is high but not to the level of diabetes, the YMCA of Central Ohio offers a program called YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, to help those struggling with prediabetes take back control of their health. We’re here with Diann, a YDPP graduate, and Caroline, the Y’s Executive Director of Health Innovations, to talk about the program and how is helps those that are struggling.

The opening of Whitehall Community Park YMCA is just around the corner! As you enter into our newest branch for the first time, we want you to be able to see some familiar faces (rather, hear some familiar voices!). Join us as we introduce Elizabeth, Meghan and Tim and talk to them about their roles at the Whitehall Y, what some of the triumphs and challenges of opening a new branch have been and just why they love the Y.

Roger Hanafin, Director of the Teen Leaders program and two teen leaders, Olivia and Chancellor join the podcast to discuss the Teen Leaders program at the Delaware Community Center YMCA, the impact of the program on their lives, and ultimately on the community.

The Positive Alternative Learning for Students (aka PALS) program has been a pivotal social justice program for youth at the YMCA of Central Ohio for 20 years. PALS is a program was historically dedicated to giving a classroom setting for suspended or truant students in Columbus City Schools to come to, to make up their homework, but over the last two decades has evolved into a safe space where students can come to not only do their homework but have mentorship and a place to be comfortable being open and self-expressive. Mario Hall is a Case Worker for PALS, but his PALS connection runs so much deeper. Originally a “PALS kid”, Mario’s story has come full circle and he now gets the opportunity to give back what he has been given. Listen as Mario tells his story of how he got to PALS, how he came back to work for PALS, and what this program means to him.

Life with cancer can be a challenge. Living a life beyond cancer and finding a new normal can be even harder. Finding a group that supports each other through and past cancer is what LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is all about. Join us as we talk to Whitney, a LIVESTRONG at the YMCA graduate and Andrea, a coach of the program, and find out what LIVESTRONG means to both of them and how it’s changed their lives in different ways.

Ashley Trout, SVP at Heartland Bank, joins us to discuss her role as Board Chair at the new Whitehall Community Park YMCA as well as what she hopes to see the Y bring to the community and how it will impact families and youth for years to come. The Whitehall Community Park YMCA is scheduled to open this fall.

The third Annual Give Her Hope event, benefiting residents at the Van Buren Center is October 24th. 100% of all proceeds benefit women and families staying in the shelter. Shameikia Smith and Annette Davis join us to discuss the YMCA’s important work with those experiencing homelessness, especially at the Van Buren Center. Each share their unique perspective of not only assisting women and families that are experiencing homelessness but also about what it’s like to go through the YMCA’s supportive housing program and receive crucial services to help get back on their feet again.

October is a fundraising month for our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is offered at no cost to survivors. This 12- week program designed specifically for those experiencing cancer helps survivors re-acclimate to health and wellness after treatment. But for most of our participants, it is so much more than that. We are sharing stories of participants in hopes of inspiring gifts to help support this life-changing program. This is Robin's story.

The LiveSTRONG at the YMCA program is a 12-week program designed specifically for cancer survivors to re-acclimate into health and fitness again after receiving treatment. Sue Smith, cancer survivor and LiveSTRONG at the YMCA graduate and Sally Meanor, LiveSTRONG at the YMCA instructor join us to share their stories of how the program makes an impact on mind, body and spirit.

Coming to the United States isn’t easy. Becoming a citizen isn’t easy. But the YMCA is here to help. We spoke to Maria Ramos, Community Outreach Manager at the New American Welcome Center (NAWC) located at the North YMCA and Adriana, a Colombian native who is being naturalized soon. We talk about everything from Maria’s family’s immigration to the US, the Naturalization Ceremony being held at the North Y, the YMCA’s work with Diversity and Inclusion, Adriana’s story as an immigrant and everything in between.

To celebrate the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, youth leaders from around the globe gathered in London, the city that the YMCA was founded, to tackle important social issues facing youth today. Thanks to a generous donor, the YMCA of Central Ohio was able to send four of our Teen Leaders to represent central Ohio as delegates at the conference. They join us today to share their experiences and stories from the conference.

Sarah Stevens moved to Delaware, Ohio while expecting her first baby. What she didn’t expect was that she would have complications with her pregnancy and become a stay at home mom caring for an infant with special needs while living off of one salary in her new community. Desperately needing to find a place to belong, she was encouraged to try out the Y. She hesitantly gave the Y a try, quickly realizing why the YMCA is so much more than a gym.

In 2008, a newly appointed Reynoldsburg Mayor Brad McCloud had a dream: to bring the YMCA to the City of Reynoldsburg. 11 years later, that dream is becoming a reality. Join us as we chat with the mayor about the Y, his dreams for the city and how this partnership came to be.

Join us, as we sit down with Tony Collins, our new President and CEO, as we discuss everything from his history with the Y, his hopes for the future and even his possible Mob connections!

Whitehall's Mayor Kim Maggard sits down with Lauren and Allison in this candid interview. She shares her story, Whitehall's story, the new found partnership between the City of Whitehall and the Y, and most importantly- WHY Whitehall is back.

YMCA Camp Willson is celebrating its 101st birthday this summer. We think that's pretty special, don't you? In a world where technology rules, Camp Willson has remained the same: a place where children can go to unplug, unwind, have fun, make friendships, gain confidence, escape from the outside world for a week and BE KIDS! Explore what makes Camp Willson special and whY you should sign your children up, today!