DURBAN YMCA IN SOUTH AFRICA SHARES "CONTINENTAL" COOKBOOK WITH SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA FAMILY YMCA

The Durban YMCA's Y-Zone team and kids were inspired by the Kid's cookbook the Southside Virginia Family YMCA sent and managed to compile an African dishes recipes cookbook to share with us!  Below is an excerpt from an e-mail we received from Paul Kariuki, "Programmes Manager", with the Durban YMCA:

"...note that the recipes are representative of all cultures represented in our Y-Zone…..we have kids born in South Africa but whose parents come from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Congo, Burundi, Angola and Kenya. So our cook book is very ‘continental’ and shows our ‘Africanness’, a symbol of our continental pride. Durban YMCA is a home to and for all Africans. On behalf our CEO, Y-Zone team and kids, thank you again for our continued partnership, we look forward to working more closely in various projects as time progresses. Certainly, this one was profound."

A copy of this cookbook is currently on sale at the Y, with all proceeds benefiting the Durban Y-Zone youth program.

October 20, 2010

COMMUNITY TAKES ROOT

On August 14, 2010 the Southside Virginia Family YMCA, along with local community members, Y board members, the Hampden-Sydney football team and Congressman Tom Perriello, gathered together to plant a fruit orchard.  This orchard consists of 51 fruit trees including apples, pears, figs, peaches, and persimmons.  In addition, local businesses such as Creative Electrical Contractors and Tharpe Trucking assisted in the fruit tree planting project! 

The Southside Virginia Family YMCA entered and won a national contest, "Communities Take Root", sponsored by Edy's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.  The Y's purpose in entering the contest was to teach youth about healthy eating and nutrition as well as to ensure that everyone in our community has readily accessible fruits!

August 14, 2010

AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP KIDS HAVE PENPALS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD

Relationships with the Durban YMCA in South Africa and the Brisbane YMCA in Queensland, Australia have been going strong since January 2010.  Students have exchanged letters, scrapbooks, and recipes!

The Durban YMCA generally features the Southside Virginia Family YMCA in their monthly newsletter!  Currently the South African YMCA is working on poems and recipes to share with our After School Students. 

More information regarding the Durban YMCA can be SEEN HERE >>

The YMCA of Brisbane is in sunny Queensland, Australia.  Students recently received letters from their penpals in Australia.  To learn more about the YMCA of Brisbane CLICK HERE >> 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

YOUTH FIRST TIME OFFENDERS
A program done in collaboration with the Juvenile Court System, Department of Parole and Probation and the Y.  Area youth ages 14-15, who have experienced their first encounter with the court systems are assigned to the Y as their “punishment.”  Instead of a “clean and leave” program, this program is designed to improve self-esteem, model positive behavior, improve social skills and make healthy lifestyle changes.  The program is completely funded by the Building Strong Communities Campaign.

AQUADEMICS
With the increase in drowning across the United States in recent years, the Y has taken the initiative to teach all second graders to swim through a program called AquaDemics.  This program is designed to teach children the basic skills needed to survive if they are in water.  The course curriculum includes floating, treading water, and basic swimming skills.  The program lasts for 10 weeks.  Each child comes one day a week and get instruction from Y staff.  This is our 3^rd year doing this program and it has been a great success.  We look forward to another successful year of AquaDemics.  AquaDemics would not be possible without donations to the Build Strong Communities Campaign.       

ACTIVATE SOUTHSIDE
A family program offered to members of the community who have been identified and referred by a pediatrician to participate.  The program provides the education and necessary skills to make a major lifestyle change.  Topics include: goal setting, time management, parenting, fitness, nutrition and more.  This program is offered for FREE to the community.  It is a 10-week long program.  All participants receive complimentary memberships to the Y for the duration of the program and upon completion of the program, having attended all 10 sessions, the family will receive a 1-year Family Membership.