A Busy Saturday at the Y

Last Saturday the Y of Central Maryland celebrated Healthy Kids Day. At our Carroll County Y, it was a very busy day for us. We not only had our normal activities of exercise classes, swim lessons, and the fitness center being busy, but we had many employees on hand to help set up and be available for the activities planned for this day. We had many community groups available to share information about safety, nutrition, exercise and having fun while taking care of our bodies.

One of the best parts of the day for me was having all the staff who work at the front desk participating in this event. Because most of us are part-time employees, we don’t get to see each other often. It was nice to see everyone there to help out with this event, but also to reconnect with everyone. I think I work with one of the best groups of people I have ever worked with. The personalities are all diverse but we are all supportive of each other and I ALWAYS end up laughing with the stories they tell.

Although this is a little bragging on my part, the Carroll Y is very fortunate to have the group of people they have working at the front desk. They are hard working, available to offer information, an ear to listen or a much-needed smile at a moment’s notice. For me, as I went from a member at our Y to an employee, it was in part, because of the front desk staff always ready to help with body, mind but also lifting the spirits of the members at our Y.

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

Save the “Mommy Guilt”

I often have “Mommy Guilt” when I add up all the hours Tootie is in pre-school. In the morning, I drop her off between 8:30 and 9:00am. At pick up I’m there between 5:45 and 6:27pm (the Pre-school closes at 6:30). Most times I rush through the door to find her immersed in a coloring project, dancing with her friends, or “reading” a book.

I build up all these thoughts in my mind about how much time she stays at school, how long we’re apart, etc. Add to some of these long days, my exercise routine that includes classes at the Y, and that could extend her day by another hour or two.

Every now and again, I have to take a breath. I get to school and realize she’s well taken care of, and actually having fun! Her nine or ten hour day has been filled with singing, dancing, arts and crafts, reading, nature walks, and all the hard work of being a pre-schooler. When I take her over to the Y for my classes, she fusses for a while, but gets right in the swing of things with the Child Watch staff and all the activities they provide.

It’s good to know that I can save the “Mommy Guilt” for some other occasion. When she’s at school, she’s in good hands. When I’m working on the “Mommy Gut” at the gym, she’s still in good hands. Maybe I can channel my guilt elsewhere… like the fact that she won’t be getting a $50,000 car for her 16th birthday, like the kids on MTV.

Posted by Angie Kirk, Y Preschooler Parent, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y

To Be Young at Heart

Here at the Y of Central Maryland Baltimore County Head Start, we have a teacher who has never forgotten how it feels to be a young child. Mrs. Nadene Evelyn is 57 years young, and has worked for the Y for over ten years. She has three adult children and eight grand children. Yet, Nadene has taken it upon herself to be our resident Choosy.

Who is Choosy you may ask? Choosy is an ambassador for healthy children and the prevention of childhood obesity. Through contemporary music, dance and appropriate activities, Nadene (as Choosy) spends up to 45 minutes in a costume that can get up to 90 degrees. Nadene (as Choosy) talks to children about making healthy food choices and showing them how to move their bodies as a way to promote exercise and fitness. Nadene visits all ten of our Baltimore County Head Start centers and on April 17, she will visit our Druid Hill Y Head Start program in Baltimore city.

No one had to ask Nadene to have the Choosy costume made and she receives no pay to do it, she just loved the message Choosy gives to young children. When asked why she does this, she replied “The children, they love Choosy. I love seeing the fun they have while dancing and moving, and the smiles on their little faces. That’s what makes me want to do this, that’s my pay.” Many of us are younger and have more nimble bodies than Mrs. Nadene, but are we willing to step out of our adulthood (RUSH, RUSH, RUSH… and RUSH) to take the time to become a child’s hero? Wow TO BE YOUNG AT HEART!

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

Exercising Outside

Thank goodness the weather is warming up and spring-time is here!!! I recently got back out to use the walking path which goes all the way around our Carroll Family Center Y. It is a beautiful path which many people use. One time around the path equals about a half-mile. Usually when I walk, it is with a small group of people and we are walking fast to get our cardio workout in, but also talking and sharing and before you know, we have done several miles! Using the path just brings in another dimension of exercise, but also allows us to be outside.

So many people use the path. I have seen people go in for their classes and then meet up with some friends and they all walk to catch-up on things. We have many runners using it and even the local high school has kids that run from their school over to the path and then back to the school. It’s nice to see that the Carroll Family Center Y not only offers all the typical fitness/cardio equipment and classes, but also gives us this beautiful outdoor path to use.

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

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