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04/06/2016 09:30 AMTwo new Valley Shore Y Programs, one an exercise and socialization program for new mothers and their babies and the other, an after-school fitness program for teens and tweens, got a jump-start last month thanks to a $5,000 incubator grant from the Brady Family Foundation.
Brady Family Foundation seed money grants pay for the salaries of program instructors during the introductory pilot phase of a new Y program. As the program builds support and participation, the grant funding ends and Y program and membership revenue substitutes for the grant funding.
Both new programs respond to requests from Y members or to unmet needs identified as a result of the Y’s recently completed Community Needs Assessment survey, which asked residents to identify gaps in local services that the Y could fill.
Mommy and Me
Mommy and Me, a light exercise program for new mothers and their babies, is designed to help new mothers re-build core strength and muscle tone through gentle exercise movements with their babies.
“We noticed recently that we’ve had more new moms bringing their babies to the Y’s Child Watch program while they exercise,” said Y Program Coordinator Tony Sharillo.
That seemed to indicate there might be an untapped need.
A Y wellness coordinator, Kate Wilson-Perez, was chatting with some of these new moms and they asked about whether the Y could offer a young mom exercise program. Since Wilson-Perez had taught such a program before, she offered to pilot it.
“She knows that new moms struggle to find ways to exercise with their babies and find ways to meet other new parents, too. Being a new mom can be very isolating,” said Sharillo.
Mommy and Me is therefore both an exercise program for the new moms and a chance to socialize and meet other young mothers in the same situation. It is for new moms with babies who are not yet able to crawl. Once babies begin to crawl and move, another Y program, the Mom and Tot class that is offered in the gymnasium, is a better option.
As of last week, 10 new moms were already registered and participating in the new class.
GrowFit for Teens
The second new offering is the GrowFit program, a non-competitive after-school fitness program for teens to tweens from ages 11 to 18. Ten one-hour sessions are offered each week with two each day from Monday through Friday; one runs one from 3 to 4 p.m. and another from 4 to 5 p.m.. The fee for participation in unlimited sessions per week is $85 per month for members.
“One of the most highly rated needs in the Y’s Community Needs Assessment was the need for new non-competitive programs for youth,” said Valley Shore Y Executive Director Chris Pallatto. “This program responds to that need.”
The program benefits those kids who may not participate in organized sports programs after-school but who want to stay active and healthy, and have social interactions.
David Fernandes will lead and coach the Y program. Fernandes has a degree in physical education and kinesiology and has been the camp director for the Westbrook Park & Recreation Summer Camp Program. He also is an accomplished athlete who was a member of the U.S. National Rugby Team in 2015 and played in the Premier Soccer League.
GrowFit will be held in the Valley Shore Y’s Health and Wellness Center and students will use the weight room, cardio room, and functional training room. Some outdoor activities will also be incorporated in the program as weather permits.
By last week, 12 teenagers were already regularly participating.
To sign up for either the Mommy and Me or the GrowFit programs, visit vsymca.org or register at the Valley Shore Y facility on Spencer Plains Road in Westbrook. For more information, call 860-399-9622.