Category: Press Releases

Press Release: June is National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

Toledo, OHIO – June marks National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia that impact over 55 million people worldwide. Recent studies have shown that physical activity plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of
cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of staying active at any age.

At the YMCA of Greater Toledo, we are committed to promoting physical activity and overall wellness for our community members. Our dedicated Healthy Living Programs aim to enhance wellness, reduce the risk of disease, and support participants in reclaiming their health. In line with this commitment, we are excited to announce a new initiative designed to assist in Alzheimer’s prevention.

The YMCA of Greater Toledo is proud to introduce BrainSavers, an innovative Alzheimer’s prevention program that is both fun and engaging. This instructor-led program focuses on keeping participants sharp and resilient by emphasizing six essential pillars of a total brain and body healthy lifestyle:

1. Cognitive Fitness
2. Physical Fitness
3. Social Engagement
4. Stress Management
5. Healthful Nutrition
6. Quality Sleep

BrainSavers provides a holistic approach to brain health, incorporating activities and strategies designed to improve cognitive function and overall well-being. 

To participate in BrainSavers, individuals must be members of the YMCA of Greater Toledo. Membership provides access to a wide range of resources and support through our Healthy Living department. Interested members can enroll in the BrainSavers program by visiting our website and completing an online form under the Healthy Living section. Our team is ready to assist and guide you through the enrollment process, ensuring you have the support needed to embark on this journey towards better brain health.

Join us at the YMCA of Greater Toledo in promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle and take a proactive step in Alzheimer’s prevention. Together, we can make a difference in our community’s health and well-being. For more information about BrainSavers and other Healthy Living Programs, please visit our website at www.ymcatoledo.org or contact our Healthy Living department.

 

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About the YMCA of Greater Toledo

The YMCA of Greater Toledo is dedicated to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. With a wide range of programs and services, we aim to empower individuals to lead healthier lives and foster connections within the community. For more information, visit www.ymcatoledo.org.

Sylvania YMCA/JCC Outdoor Pool Opening – May 25, 2024

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

Sylvania, OHIO – May 22, 2024 – The Sylvania YMCA/JCC is excited to announce the opening of its outdoor pool for the summer season on Saturday May 25, 2024 at 12pm. The outdoor pool is located behind the branch at 6465 W. Sylvania Ave located in Sylvania, Ohio.

The outdoor pool at the Sylvania YMCA/JCC features three exciting new attractions and summer swim lessons this summer:
● A climbing wall
● A diving board
● A zip line
● Summer Swim Lessons starting at 6-months +
These new additions promise to provide a fun and engaging experience for all
visitors. Access to the outdoor pool is included with membership to any of the 10
area YMCA/JCC branch locations.
Members and the community can register for summer swim lessons at the Sylvania
YMCA / JCC by calling 419.885.4485 or online at, ymcatoledo.org.
For more information about the Sylvania YMCA/JCC, please visit, ymcatoledo.org.

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About Sylvania YMCA/JCC
The Sylvania YMCA/JCC is dedicated to strengthening the community through youth
development, healthy living, and social responsibility. With a wide range of
programs and facilities, we strive to create a welcoming environment for all.

Wayman D. Palmer to Host Topping Off Ceremony for New Facility

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

Toledo, OHIO – May 17, 2024 – The Wayman D. Palmer YMCA is set to celebrate a significant milestone in the construction of its new facility with a Topping Off Ceremony on Monday, May 20, 2024. The event will commence at 1pm, bringing together guests including Wayman D. Palmer Board Members, Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, members, and representatives from The Lathrop Company.

The highlight of the ceremony will be the placement of the final beam, where attendees will have the opportunity to “make their mark” on the structure. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewcz and Brad Toft, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toledo, will deliver remarks at 2pm, culminating in the ceremonial signing of the beam.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said, “This Topping Off ceremony marks a significant step forward in the journey towards a vibrant and inclusive Toledo. With each beam, we’re building not just a structure, but an opportunity to create unity and community. Together, we’re shaping a future
where every neighborhood thrives.”

“The Topping Off Ceremony signifies a significant step forward in the journey towards the opening of the new Wayman D. Palmer YMCA,” stated Brad Toft, President/CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toledo. “We are immensely proud of the progress achieved thus far and eagerly anticipate welcoming the community through the doors of our new facility in the Spring of 2025.”

Located just a few hundred feet away from the current facility, the new Wayman D. Palmer YMCA will feature state-of-the-art amenities including an indoor pool, a modern fitness center, an updated gymnasium, community
gathering spaces, Toledo Public Schools Head Start Early Childhood education facilities, and the T.A.C.K.L.E. Program.

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About the YMCA of Greater Toledo
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has been a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community for more than 150 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn,
grow, and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y aims to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment, and demonstrate the importance of
connections across the greater Toledo community. Learn more at ymcatoledo.org.

Contact:  Shonna Moon, [email protected], 419.205.0777

For those who plan to attend, click here to complete the visitor release form. 

For those who plan to attend, click here to complete the visitor release form. 

Press Release: YMCA of Greater Toledo COMMITTED TO SAFETY, ACHIEVES PRAESIDIUM ACCREDITATION

Posted on by Rosalyn Whickum

Toledo,OH – The YMCA of Greater Toledo, has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management. Praesidium Accreditation® is a prestigious honor that publicly demonstrates the organization has worked to achieve the highest industry standards in abuse prevention.

To achieve Accreditation, the YMCA underwent a rigorous process to implement Praesidium’s Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within their business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding, and administrative practices. Praesidium then verified the YMCA’s successful implementation of these standards. The YMCA will be accredited for three years, and during this time will commit to uphold fundamental organizational values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those in their care from abuse.

Praesidium Accreditation® provides solid proof of sound risk management practices and the honor distinguishes the YMCA from others in their industry. “We are pleased to send the message that we will not compromise the safety of those in our care—for any reason,” said Brad Toft, YMCA of Greater Toledo, President/CEO. “As an entire organization, we are dedicated and committed to proactively keeping those in our care safe from abuse.”

The YMCA embodies inclusivity, uniting individuals of all genders and ages through a collective dedication to empowering children, advocating for wellness, and cultivating a community-minded ethos. For further information, please visit ymcatoledo.org. 

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About the YMCA of Greater Toledo

The YMCA of Greater Toledo embodies inclusivity, uniting individuals of all genders and ages through a collective dedication to empowering children, advocating for wellness, and cultivating a community-minded ethos.  For further information, please visit ymcatoledo.org. 

Y Achievers is tailored for individuals aged 14-18. It emphasizes high school completion, career readiness, and preparing youth for post-high school life. The program includes homework help, leadership training, career exploration, college/trades preparation, community service projects, work readiness, and life skills development.

About Praesidium

Praesidium specializes in preventing sexual abuse in organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults. Over a period in excess of 30 years, the company has reviewed over 4,000 cases of abuse within organizations to determine the root causes of sexual abuse within organizational settings. Praesidium employs more than 50 staff, including licensed social workers, lawyers, health care researchers, and other experts. The company has served over 5,000 clients with a broad range of products and services to aid organizations in preventing abuse, including online and instructor–led trainings, organizational risk assessments, model policies, and background checks. Having trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person, Praesidium is the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally. 

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
5 DAYS OF ACTION

Press Release: West Toledo YMCA Teen Achievers to Host YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Teen Achievers during UT ‘Rockets Get Involved Tour’

Posted on by Rosalyn Whickum

Toledo, OH – The West Toledo YMCA Teen Achievers will host an event on March 27th, welcoming the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Teen Achievers at The University of Toledo for a day of fun, learning, and mentorship.  

The YMCA Teen Achiever program aims to support teenagers in meeting higher academic and career goals, nurturing their minds, character, work ethic, and emphasizing the value of education.  

Currently, the YMCA of Greater Toledo has 40 teens participating in the Teen Achievers program.  In 2023, the program included 11 seniors, all of whom successfully graduated from high school.  

The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit has 15 teenagers currently participating in their YMCA Teen Achievers program.  Following their engagement in the Rockets Get Involved Tour, these teens will embark on additional college tours across Ohio.  

The Rockets Get Involved Tour is guided by members of the historically Black Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and other University of Toledo student organizations.  During the March 27th event, participants will discuss the various involvement opportunities available at the University of Toledo.  

The West Toledo YMCA will open its doors to these Teen Achiever participants at 2pm on March 27th.  Teens can engage in open swim and basketball.  They will then gather to officially launch the Rockets Get Involved Tour, followed by a social and networking session.  

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About the YMCA of Greater Toledo Teen Achievers 

Y Achievers is tailored for individuals aged 14-18. It emphasizes high school completion, career readiness, and preparing youth for post-high school life. The program includes homework help, leadership training, career exploration, college/trades preparation, community service projects, work readiness, and life skills development.

Contact:  Shonna Moon, [email protected], 419.205.0777

The City of Toledo and the YMCA of Greater Toledo successfully acquire New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

Toledo, OH –The City of Toledo and the YMCA of Greater Toledo have successfully acquired New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing that will contribute to the capital stack for the new Wayman D. Palmer YMCA and Inez Nash Park project. 

The YMCA collaborated with River Ridge Capital Advisors to secure funding, recognizing the competitive nature of the New Markets Tax Credit process.  The YMCA of Greater Toledo was awarded the NMTCs in 2023. 

The New Markets Tax Credits will generate a net investment of approximately $3.4 million into the project.  This form of financing will lead to a direct reduction of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds previously earmarked by the City of Toledo for this project.  The NMTC’s investment will also allow for construction of additional project features including an outdoor splash pad and enhancements to the Inez Nash Park. 

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said, “This is a great day for Toledo, our ability to secure NMTC’s for this exciting project, will allow us to invest previously allocated funds in other underserved areas of our city and also allow for some additional or enhanced project features, thanks to the NMTC investors and project team that made this possible.”  

The tax credit allocations were received from two Community Development Entities (CDE’s):

  • IFF, headquartered in Chicago with eight regional offices across the Midwest – including two in Ohio, is a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that champions nonprofits across the Midwest to shape more equitable and vibrant communities through community-centered lending, development, and real estate consulting
  • Building American CDE, Inc. located in Washington D.C., is a subsidiary of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, an impact investment industry leader

CDE’s seek high-impact projects that resonate with their mission and cater to the needs of underserved communities. 

“The Wayman D. Palmer YMCA facility is going to be a tremendous community asset in Toledo that will help improve community health and provide a high-quality space for crucial early childhood education services and comprehensive youth programing that prepares young people to positively contribute to their communities,” said Chris Uhl, IFF’s executive director for the eastern region.  “IFF is proud to support this project with federal and state New Markets Tax Credits, and we look forward to seeing the many ways this project positively impacts the community in the years ahead.” 

 “Through community engagement, youth programs, wellness initiatives, and a commitment to inclusivity, the YMCA of Greater Toledo exemplifies the strength of collective dedication and the power of community-driven change,” said Harpreet Peleg, CEO of Building America CDE. 

Capital One, N.A. served as the Federal tax credit investor.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with the YMCA on this important expansion project, which will serve many important functions in the Toledo community,” John Chamberlain, senior director of tax credit finance at Capital One, said.  “The mission of the YMCA is to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, and we can’t think of a more important focus for this previously underserved community.” 

The Wayman D. Palmer branch presently serves as a hub for community engagement, community food pantry, Y Achievers for youth ages 14-18, and is a safe space for youth to converse after school and during the summer.  Additionally, the branch offers free group exercise classes, youth sports programs, pickleball, a modern fitness center and gymnasium for its members. 

The updated facility will feature,  

  • Indoor pool
    • Providing swim lessons and water activities for all ages
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Updated gymnasium
    • Providing youth & adults programs, sports, fitness and arts
  • Community gathering spaces
  • Toledo Public Schools will provide Early Childhood Education
    • 6 weeks to 5 years of age
    • 4 classrooms with a capacity of 52 children
  • T.A.C.K.L.E Program (school-based behavioral mental health)

“The collaboration with the City of Toledo, Illinois Finance Fund, Building American CDE, Inc., and Capital One, N.A. extends beyond the mere construction of a new building. The true essence of these partnerships is reflected in the activities conducted within the facility and the beneficial impact that the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA will have on the individuals we aim to support,” said YMCA of Greater Toledo President/CEO Brad Toft. 

The new Wayman D. Palmer YMCA will reside on Bancroft between Cherry and Franklin and is expected to be up and running by 2025. 

The YMCA of Greater Toledo is made up of 11 facilities including 10 branches plus Storer Camps locations, each tailored to address the unique requirements of its surrounding community. The new Wayman D. Palmer YMCA marks the beginning of a series of developments within the YMCA of Greater Toledo. Future endeavors will center on enhancing the offerings at the Sylvania YMCA/JCC, Wolf Creek YMCA, and Eastern Community YMCA.

About the YMCA of Greater Toledo

The YMCA of Greater Toledo embodies inclusivity, uniting individuals of all genders and ages through a collective dedication to empowering children, advocating for wellness, and cultivating a community-minded ethos.  For further information, please visit ymcatoledo.org. 

Y Achievers is tailored for individuals aged 14-18. It emphasizes high school completion, career readiness, and preparing youth for post-high school life. The program includes homework help, leadership training, career exploration, college/trades preparation, community service projects, work readiness, and life skills development.

 

March 07, 2024

Contact:  Shonna Moon, [email protected], 419.205.0777