A Day with the Y

Just when I was excited to get back to running a 5k once per week, it seems like the pounds decide not to run away! Of course, the kids’ Easter baskets don’t help the situation. Tomorrow is a new day—and thankfully tomorrow isn’t the day I need to wear a swimsuit. I donated blood last week, and my blood pressure was great, so I guess I’m doing something right. Health is the main goal! I have a feeling we’re going to be worked extra hard in Monday’s body sculpt class. I need it!

My older son was so excited about Y preschool last week. They had an egg hunt and made baskets out of paper bags to collect their eggs. He even offered to share some with his younger brother, so that was shocking! I was a bit worried that he might be bringing home bad habits from school, but so far I’ve only noticed good ones. Before Easter dinner he even said, “God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.” (That's what they say before their snack at school.) How sweet!

Posted by Wendy Smith-Wilczynski, Y Member and Preschooler Parent, Carroll County

Family Time

My name is Felecia Veale-Buckson and I am a Site Manager for the Y of Central Maryland Head Start. I manage our Merritt Park, Fleming and Towson Head Start Centers. I have worked for many years servicing children and families throughout Maryland. Through my blog I hope to bring readers closer to Head Start and the amazing work we do for children and families.

On March 11, 2010 our Fleming Center hosted “Lunch With Dad” as a way to boost male involvement. Each child was given an invitation to attend with a male who plays a role in the child’s life. This meant dads, step dads, granddads, uncles, male cousins… any positive male. On the day of the lunch, we were happy to see the number of men who attended and one mother. Yes, one mother. As the men filed into the room I approached mom and asked why she was going into the lunch room with the males. She responded “I am her mother and father…, and she ask me if her daddy did not show up to the house in the morning could she still have lunch and I told her yes.” Needless to say dad did not show up as promised and mom was very adamant about her decision. While we were talking, unbeknown to us, a father of twins in the program and a neighbor of the mother walked up to us and said “if you don’t mind, I will take her in the room with me and my children; she can eat with us.” I saw the relief on mom’s face; she agreed and allowed her daughter to go in the room with the others. I told mom that she did the right thing and I understood her reasons and applauded her efforts. The lunch was a great success the children enjoyed the time spent with the males, they took pictures and made plans for other activities. That’s why “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD.”

Posted by Felecia Veale-Buckson, Baltimore County Head Start Site Manager, Y of Central Maryland

Teen Leaders in Y Youth and Government Program

This past weekend I had the privilege to oversee the Maryland YMCA Youth and Government Pre-Legislative Session. Students from schools and Y's all over Maryland came together for a day of speeches, elections and debates. The Youth Governor and Lt. Governor lead with style and class and I was impressed all over again by these teenagers and their maturity.

In my experience as a Y employee I have never met a group of people as enthusiastic as high school students. When I am out of ideas, they have one more great one. When I see a dead end, they find an opportunity. When I am discouraged, they bring hope. When I am exhausted, they keep going until everything is finished. I am sure that any person who has ever griped about "those teenagers" has never spent time with these young people. I am honored to guide their program and excited to see their leadership shine. It almost seems unethical to take a paycheck when the students do so much hard work.

I am looking forward to the Legislative Session next month where we will spend three days in Annapolis using the actual State House and Committee rooms to argue legislation, pass Youth-Bills and experience our government first hand.

To learn more about Y Youth and Government, visit Chris Ader-Soto’s expert opinion blog on this program at http://ymdopinion.blogspot.com/.

Posted by Amy Maloy, State Director, MD Youth and Government, Y of Central Maryland

Y Fitness Challenge Success

Kelly & Tom, Kelly L and Cheryl:
(Staff members at the Walter & Betty Ward Family Center Y)

I wanted to send you all a quick note of thanks! I won't be able to be at the awards on Wednesday because I'll be traveling for work.

I started this in September and I have to admit half heartily. ALL of my former attempts to change my lifestyle had failed and I was not anticipating this to be any different. If someone would have told me 7 months ago that I would actually get upset when I can't make it to Body Pump at least twice a week - I would have been rolling on the floor laughing.

WOW, was I wrong. I have definitely learned to live a different lifestyle. I was inspired and I was held accountable. I learned how to exercise and how to be comfortable in the gym. I finally realized that walking around the block once a month or eating lettuce for a week straight was not going to get the weight off. I no longer fear the gym, I'm no longer on a "diet" and I love to exercise and feel great. I have lost 28 pounds since the Fall session started and 4 clothes sizes. It feels darn good to pick up something in a store and have it fit!

One of the greatest things for me has been inspiring others. I have inspired family members and friends to change their lifestyle as well. It has been so rewarding to see my parents and my children now enjoy spending time in the gym. Nightly trips to the Y are a part of our daily routine now. My kids are also making smarter choices. They are reading labels and choosing fruit over junk. My energy level and my general mood have greatly improved.

I truly hope that you all realize what a difference you have made in quite a few lives. I can certainly attest to the difference you've made in my family's life.

While my "home" gym is Perry Hall and I don't make it Abingdon very often, I hope to see you all again soon!

Take Care,

Angie Martin - Green Team


Posted by Angie Martin, Fitness Challenge Participant at the Walter & Betty Ward Family Center Y

A Y Member and Parent

I’m Wendy, a full-time working mother of 2 young boys, ages 2 and 3. I joined the Carroll County Family Center Y about a year ago. I was so out of shape that I couldn’t keep up with the instructor using the light weights, and now I can complete all the reps with the maximum weights available! Maybe now I can keep up with the kids…maybe!

This week ‘s Body Sculpt class was fun! It was nice being able to relieve some stress from work and build strength all at all the same time. It’s great to see people encouraging each other to up their weights and hear updates on everyone’s family—kids coming home from college, plans for the weekend, etc. I starting running again (first time since last October), and it made me realize maybe I shouldn’t have skipped all those months in between! At least I did it for longer than I expected, and I did catch up on some great tunes stored on my cell phone that I hadn’t heard in ages!

My older son attends the Chipmunks preschool program in Finksburg (his second year), and my younger son can’t wait to start next year to be just like his big brother. This week at school my son got invited to a birthday party for one of his friends at preschool. He’s so excited to go bounce around with his friends! The other day he asked me if I would play “Cat in the Hat” with him. I had no clue what he was talking about until he started tapping me and his brother on the head and saying, “Cat. Cat. Hat!” I guess I was the “goose” since I had to chase him around a circle. I love reliving childhood days! And remember Mr. Yuck? Apparently he’s still around since he told me that he couldn’t take any medicine unless he asks me first. I’d say we had another great week at Chipmunks!

Posted by Wendy Smith-Wilczynski, Y Member and Preschooler Parent, Carroll County

Early Bird Gets the Worm

I worked at the front desk yesterday and boy were we busy! Besides the normal questions and assistance given with check-in and selling memberships we were very busy selling camp. Yesterday was the last day for our “early bird” special with summer camp. Parents were lined up with their papers and wanting to register their kids for camp. It was especially nice to hear parents share information on how much their kids enjoyed camp last year and how much they like that we have all the information out so early in the year.

I have always tended towards being a “last minute” person and because of that miss out on specials that are offered for being early. I was impressed with how many people came in and were prepared with their summer ahead. One member and I did get laughing because she was still debating which weeks to enroll her child in camp and which weeks she thought they may do some other summertime activities. I felt like I was looking at myself in the mirror. That seems to be me – if I can catch the special – I will always be the one standing there working out the last minute details. Anyway, what a crazy day. I’m sure we will get many more parents registering their kids for camp, but was impressed with the patience that all had as we helped work-out the details of each family.

Posted by Peggy Curet, Member Services Representative, Carroll County Family Center Y

What is your idea of Family Time?

Family Time can mean many things to many different people. To some, it is going to the movies at an exurbanite rate of $10/per person, to some it could mean going on an afternoon picnic. While to others, it could mean going on that long awaited vacation.

At the Y of Central MD, we put a new meaning to the words Family Time. Have you ever thought of working out with your children? I recently had both my 10 and 11 year old attend the Teen Strength Training at the Perry Hall Y and they were more than excited to say the least. They got to learn how to properly use the equipment, what proper gym etiquette is and even learned some anatomy that they did not know. They even got their own Fitlinx I.D. and can go work on the strength training machines without any assistance. They really feel like Big Kids now.

It’s interesting too. Now, when I ask “what do you want to do for Family Time”, they pack up their bags and say “Let’s head to the gym.”

Posted by Shelley Drasal, Member Services Representative, Perry Hall Family Center Y