What:  Second Annual State of Texas YMCA Youth and Government District Conference

When:  Saturday, December 6, 2008

Registration 9:00 am, Conference 9:30 – 11:30 am

Where:  WTAMU Old Main Building, rooms 203 & 204

Contact:  Jenna Hodges

                  Amarillo Family YMCA

                  office 373-1811, cell 679-5063

                  jenna.hodges@amarilloymca.org

Second Annual State of Texas YMCA Youth and Government District Conference to be held West Texas A&M University

The  State of Texas YMCA Youth and Government Conference for District 8 is to be held at West Texas A&M University, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Old Main Building.  

At this YMCA District Conference, student delegates from Palo Duro High School and Travis Middle School, a new entry this year, will be engaged in two areas of government training to prepare them for the State Conference held in Austin January 22-24, 2008.   Student delegates will participate in the State Affairs session, presenting a proposal for bills for the “House” floor.  They will also participate by prosecuting and defending a mock criminal case in the judicial session.  Recognition for outstanding achievement in their section and for overall conference participation will be given at the conference.

YMCA Youth and Government delegates will be critiqued and judged for their presentation form and content in all three sessions by volunteers from the academic and professional communities.  Adult volunteers include Dr. David Rausch of WTAMU; Richard Gore, Randall County Assistant District Attorney; Minerva McLaughlin, Appellate Court attorney and Judge Nancy Bosquez, Potter County Justice of the Peace.

The Amarillo Family YMCA Youth in Government Program strives to not only understand how our government works locally, statewide and federally in an hands-on fashion, but endeavors to educate the public about their legal rights and civil liberties, as well as connect with lawmakers in order to make a difference in their own community.  The Amarillo Family YMCA Youth and Government program is partially funded by the Texas Bar Foundation and the JP Morgan Chase Foundation, in addition to the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon.

Other teen programs at the Amarillo Family YMCA include the Youth Advisory Committee funded by the Community Youth Development program through the Department of Family and Protective Services, serving as a panel of youth working with adults on programs and issues in the 79107 zip code, as well as the CYD recreational and leadership program, Youth Excelling and Succeeding.  Also included are the Counselors in Training program, a leadership program for middle school youth, as well as the Youth Arts program which includes spoken word and photography.  The YMCA also offers Youth Memberships and scholarships for YMCA programs. Contact Mary Ellen Mayfield for more information at 376-7021 or Jenna Hodges at 373-1811.

In 2008, the Amarillo Family YMCA projects over $545,000 in program scholarships will be given for all YMCA programs, as well as for membership for families, individuals and youth that could not afford to participate without financial assistance.  The YMCA and its three branches serve thousands of people from every part of the Amarillo and Canyon area, with it’s mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.  Programs at the Amarillo Family YMCA include             Y Sports, Membership, Teen programs, Child Care, Arts and Humanities, Health and Wellness, Y Aquatics and Silver Sneakers, an active older adult fitness program.  For membership and giving information, please contact Mary Ellen Mayfield at 376-7021.

Contact:  Jenna Hodges, Teen and Family Director

                   Office: 373-1811, Cell: 679-5063

                   Email:  jenna.hodges@amarilloymca.org

Amarillo Family YMCA Youth and Government Program Receives Grant from Texas Bar Foundation

The Amarillo Family YMCA’s Youth and Government program has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the esteemed Texas Bar Foundation.  This grant will go toward projects that serve the Foundation’s mission, such as programs that relate to the administration of justice; ethics in the legal profession; legal assistance for the needy; the encouragement of legal research, publications and forums; and the education of the public. 

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $9 million in grants to law-related programs.  Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nations largest charitably funded bar foundation.  In serving the public interest, the Foundation gives high priority to the realization of equality of opportunity for all members of society.

The YMCA Youth and Government club meets weekly in fall and bi-weekly in spring to further understand how our government works and how they, as individuals, can make a change in our community.  This club will learn about local, state and federal government in a hands-on fashion, will host a variety of special speakers and will carry out various community events throughout the year.  Club members are currently preparing for the District conference to be held in its second year on December 6, 2008 at West Texas A&M University. Club members will be participating in the Judicial section with a mock murder trial and in State Affairs.  Amarillo is the 8^th district in the Texas State Youth and Government program.

AMARILLO FAMILY YMCA Receives Grant from Target for

Their Child Care Program

AMARILLO, TX  September, 2008 — The Amarillo Family YMCA today announced a partnership with Target^® in recognition of its efforts in Early Childhood Literacy, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in children.  The money will be used to purchase reading materials, go on field trips to the local libraries and enhance the current reading areas at each of the Amarillo Family YMCA Child Care centers which will make reading more enjoyable and help instill a desire to become a part of the story. 

“In this time of technology, reading a book is becoming a lost art form, we at the Amarillo Family YMCA want to put that spark of excitement back into picking up a book and becoming enthralled with the plot and characters of a great story.  This grant money will help us achieve this goal,” said Debbie Wright, CEO, Amarillo Family YMCA.

      This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and
communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that translates to more than $3 million every week.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve,”

said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with the Amarillo Family YMCA as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

       Additionally, Target gives through signature programs that are designed to
inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

•     Take Charge of Education^®, a school fundraising program;

•     Target Field Trip Grants, a program that helps educators bring learning to life
for students through the distribution of grants;

•     Ready.Sit.Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in
children at an early age;

•     Target House^®, which serves as a home away from home for families of children
receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® in
Memphis;

•     Target Volunteers, a program where Target team members and retirees annually
donate more than 350,000 hours of time to more than 7,500 community-
based projects

About the Amarillo Family YMCA

The Amarillo Family YMCA, established in 1937, has been strengthening families, nurturing the healthy development of children and encouraging positive behavior in teens for over 70 years.  Annually the Amarillo Family YMCA serves over 16,000 men, women and children in the Amarillo and surrounding community.  The Amarillo Family YMCA is an association of caring people working for the common good of the community.  The YMCA Movement is about people - all ages, races, religions and incomes.  YMCAs help mold the kind of people who care about one another, who are firm in their own sense of self worth and that of others, who try to foster understanding and respect, who maintain faith, who take responsibility for their lives and help improve the lives of others.  The YMCA reinforces these values in every program and service.

We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at more than 1,600 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to
providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences
and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at
Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more
than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs.
Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

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THE AMARILLO FAMILY YMCA ENCOURAGES THE AMARILLO COMMUNITY TO TAKE SMALL STEPS TOWARD A ‘HEALTHY FAMILY HOME’ DURING AMERICA ON THE MOVE WEEK WITH THE YMCA,
SEPT. 20-27, 2008

Week-Long Campaign Aims to Motivate Millions of Families Nationwide to Begin Leading Healthier Lives, Starting in the Home

Amarillo, TX, September 10, 2008 – During America On the Move Week with the YMCA, Sept. 20 to Sept. 27, 2008, the Amarillo Family YMCA is inviting families of the Amarillo Community to join more than 1,400 YMCAs nationwide in taking “small steps” toward creating a “healthy family home.” This year, YMCAs are helping individuals make positive lifestyle changes and introducing families to YMCA Healthy Family Home, a simple, flexible approach that helps families move more, eat healthier, and build stronger family relationships. 

During America On the Move Week with the YMCA, families and individuals are encouraged to be more active and eat healthier by making smarter food choices. “Steps” are awarded for actual steps taken during the week as well as equivalents for all other forms of physical activity, such as swimming, biking and dancing, and other group or family activities that promote well-being, such as eating together as a family. Healthy Family Home’s research has shown that these kinds of family activities can produce significant long-term results.

“Many families want to make positive lifestyle changes but don’t know where to begin. Healthy Family Home and America On the Move Week with the YMCA give families that extra boost they need to incorporate healthy activities into their ever day routines,” said Valerie Lawson, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., director of the Healthy Family Home. “We hope to inspire and show millions of families who are seeking a balance between work, family and a healthy lifestyle just how making small changes can bring their families together in healthy ways.”

Individuals, as well as families, are encouraged to participate in America On the Move Week with the Amarillo Family YMCA and get started on their way to a healthier lifestyle with our new Fit Quest Program, designed for teens, adults and active older adults to get up and get moving.  Each participant will have their own wellness coach, a work out program designed specifically to their abilities and fitness goals and their progress is monitored in regular meetings with their wellness coach.  This program is free to all Amarillo Family YMCA members.  Join the Amarillo Family YMCA during the month of September and pay no joining fees and receive a free America on Move t-shirt, one per family.  Remember, no contracts, no hassle to join the Amarillo Family YMCA. 

Participants can begin to track their “steps” by contacting the Amarillo Family YMCA to request an America on the Move Quick Start Guide with a tracking form and step conversions for common exercises and activities, or by signing up at www.ymca.net.  Online participants should use the following 4-digit code when prompted during the registration process: 6313. The goal is to reach 10 billion steps across the country during this designated week. 

“This is the third year of an incredibly successful partnership between America On the Move and the YMCA and we are grateful for their continued support and dedication to promoting the small steps approach to a healthier way of life,” said James O. Hill, Ph.D. co-founder of America On the Move.  “We hope YMCA members everywhere will join the program, get on the move, and help reach that 10-billion-step goal.”

For the first time in history, children are predicted to live less healthy and possibly even shorter lives than their parents because of chronic diseases and obesity. Research by the America on the Move Foundation has shown that making two small daily changes – taking 2,000 more steps (the equivalent of about a mile) and eating 100 fewer calories – can prevent the average annual weight gain of one to two pounds.

To help families get on track, Healthy Family Home offers simple tools that are flexible and doable for any family in any community and helps them focus on the small, sustainable changes. The goal is to help families maintain these healthy lifestyle changes beyond America On the Move Week with the YMCA

America On the Move Week with the YMCA is a partnership between the YMCA and the America On the Move Foundation. America On the Move is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving health and quality of life by promoting healthy eating and active living for individuals, families, communities and society.  The Smart Spot® Program from PepsiCo is a national supporter of YMCA Activate America and the National Founding Sponsor of America On the Move. 

America On the Move Week with the YMCA is part of the YMCA’s Activate America ®.   Healthy Family Home is a community partnership with the YMCA, made possible by Eli Lilly and Company. For more information about the program, visit www.healthyfamilyhome.org.

Activate America is the YMCA’s response to the nation’s growing health crisis. Through Activate America, the YMCA is redefining itself and engaging communities across the country to provide better opportunities for people of all ages in their pursuit of health and well-being in spirit, mind and body. 

In addition to the national partnership with America On the Move Foundation, as an Activate America YMCA, the Amarillo Family YMCA is making a local, public commitment to intensify our role as a leader in supporting healthy living within our community.  Specifically, here in Amarillo, the Amarillo Family YMCA has added fitness classes to our Child Care programs and our Teen programs, along with our exceptional land and water aerobics classes for Adults and Active Older Adults.  With the new addition of our Amazing Kid Zone, even our smallest members have the opportunity to stay active on miniature treadmills, stationary cycles and interactive video games.    

About YMCAs:  The nation’s 2,663 YMCAs serve nearly 20.2 million people each year, including 9.4 million children under the age of 18. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening, and health and well-being for all, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Amarillo Family YMCA, established in 1937, has been strengthening families, nurturing the healthy development of children and encouraging positive behavior in teens for over 70 years.  Annually the Amarillo Family YMCA serves over 16,000 men, women and children in the Amarillo and surrounding community.  The Amarillo Family YMCA is an association of caring people working for the common good of the community. 

We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

About America On the Move:  America On the Move Foundation Inc. is a national nonprofit organization that helps individuals, families and communities make positive changes to improve Americans’ health and quality of life. With more than a million participants on- and offline, America On the Move supports a small-changes approach to healthy eating and active living habits. America On the Move’s science-based programs and outreach support Americans of all ages manage their weight effectively through energy balance. For more information, please visit www.americaonthemove.org.

About PepsiCo and the Smart Spot Program:  The Smart Spot^® program from PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is the national founding sponsor of America On the Move™ and a proud national partner of YMCA Activate America^®.   As one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, PepsiCo recognizes its responsibility to encourage people to adopt healthier, active lifestyles -- beginning with its products.  In 2004, PepsiCo launched the Smart Spot^® symbol -- the symbol of smart choices made easy. This symbol makes it easier for consumers to identify PepsiCo products that contribute to a healthier lifestyle.  The Smart Spot symbol appears on over 300 PepsiCo products including Tropicana Pure Premium® orange juice, Aquafina® water, Gatorade® Thirst Quencher, Baked!® Lay's® snacks, Quaker® Oatmeal and Diet Pepsi® soft drinks, among many others.  For more information, visit www.smartspot.com.

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