The South Shore YMCA has the future health of the South Shore community written right into its strategic plan. By 2020, the Y pledges to increase participation in its medically-based programs by 400 percent, to reach 5,000 individuals across a spectrum of weight loss, fall prevention, diabetes prevention programs and more. And, as the Y intends for each of these programs to be free of charge for participants, that means it also pledges to increase its fundraising efforts to support that goal.
This winter, the Y received two grants from the YMCA of the USA to further its medical wellness goals: a $14,500 Blood-Pressure Self-Monitoring Clinical Linkages project grant, and a $10,000 YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program Champion grant.
Both grants target capacity expansion. And, says Katelyn Szafir, the South Shore Y’s Director of Medical Wellness programs, “Both will offer us the opportunity to expand educational awareness on blood pressure management and pre-diabetes.” Both will follow similar protocols.
According to the work plans for each grant, internal advisory committees consisting of Szafir, South Shore YMCA President and CEO Paul Gorman and medical wellness program staff will convene to move each program forward. In the case of the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (or “YDPP”) grant, the goal is to capture the spirit and positivity of individuals who have successfully completed the year-long group educational program. YDPP provides a supportive small group environment where participants learn about healthier eating, physical activity, problem solving and goal setting in order to reduce the risk for developing diabetes.
The “program champions” will act as mentors and coaches to current participants, providing inspiration for them, and insider expertise for Y staff always looking for ways to improve the program.
The Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring (or “BPSM”) Clinical Linkages grant will empower the Y to expand on current relationships with medial providers in the region as well as to create new partnerships. “We’re working on new and better ways for our local doctors to ‘prescribe the Y,’” says Szafir. “This 16-week educational course features personalized support for developing a blood pressure self-monitoring routine, and tips for maintaining cardiovascular health. Through this grant, we will better be able to communicate with providers about the programs we can offer their patients, who oftentimes are already our members.”
The South Shore YMCA’s medical wellness programs take place at the Quincy Y, the Emilson Y in Hanover, and at ZoneWellness, in Assinippi Park in Norwell. For more information, contact Katelyn Szafir at kszafir@ssymca.org or 857-403-4706.
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a not-for-profit association of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org.