America’s health and well-being is in jeopardy. According to an article in The New England Journal of Medicine (“A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century”, March 17, 2005), “For the first time ever in American history, children may live sicker lives and die sooner than their parents.” Chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are the core drivers of this health epidemic. The challenge is finding and implementing solutions to this problem. The Concord Family YMCA is actively engaged in addressing this epidemic at the local level in several ways, one of which is through our active involvement in the Capital Area Wellness Coalition.
The coalition is a group of local leaders, inpidual, and organizations that partner, plan and implement strategies for healthy change in our community. The Concord Family YMCA is a charter member of the coalition and has been actively involved since its inception in September 2009. Research has shown that more than half of all chronic disease can be reduced or eliminated by adopting healthier lifestyles. The goal of the coalition is to leverage the collective resources in the community to help create healthier lifestyles.
The Concord Family YMCA has contributed to the Coalition through participation in the monthly meetings, assisting with initiatives and projects, providing leadership through participation on the coalition Steering Committee, and more recently leveraging Y-USA’s partnership with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to successfully apply for an ACHIEVE Grant.
ACHIEVE is a collaborative approach funded through the CDC called Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and EnVironmental changE. ACHIEVE focuses on making policy and environmental changes that support healthy lifestyles in communities across the United States. The Concord Family YMCA was one of 40 successful applicants (from a pool of 200 applicants) across the country chosen to expand their existing efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of local community members. The Concord Family YMCA applied for this grant (on behalf of the coalition) as a vehicle to bring valuable resources to sustain and grow the mission of the Coalition.
The total value of the ACHIEVE Grant will range between $45,000-50,000 and provides funding for coalition building, training, planning, and project implementation. The long term goal is to create a sustainable Coalition that leverages local community resources and broadens its scope and impact to improve the health and wellness of the capital area.
Providing valuable resources to our community has been a primary objective of the Concord Family YMCA since its inception over 160 years ago. As a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Concord Family YMCA brings families together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. In honor of 160 years of service to the community the Y is launching a new fitness initiative “New Year, New You.” This 160 day program (in honor of the Concord Family YMCA’s 160 years in the Concord community) is designed to help participants create lasting change for a healthier lifestyle. For more information about this program or the YMCA visit their website at concordymca.org.
The Concord Family YMCA is a community-based, charitable, non-profit, social service agency that is devoted to serving the needs of all families and all ages in the Concord area. We are a full service YMCA that includes a main facility featuring a pool, gym, fitness area and more as well as a separate 18,000 square foot childcare facility. Contact us at: 228-9622 (YMCA) for more information.
