The week of September 22-29, a total of 113 Meeting Waters YMCA program participants and their families, as well as staff and volunteers, walked a total of 2,708,966 steps during America On the Move Week With the YMCA. Nearly 1,500 YMCAs nationwide partnered that week with American On the Move Foundation in encouraging members of our community to take “small steps” toward a healthier lifestyle. The national goal of 10 billion steps during America On the Move Week with the YMCA was met and exceeded.

Participants in Meeting Waters YMCA’s ASPIRE (After School Program for Inspiration, Recreation and Education) programs and their families logged over 1 ½ million steps during the week–about half of the regional YMCA’s total. The other half of the steps were taken by board members and other volunteers, staff, participants in other Meeting Waters YMCA programs and community members.

American on the Move Week was part of Meeting Waters YMCA’s Activate Windham County public health initiative which aims to reduce barriers and increase supports for “health seekers”–those children, adults and families that desire a healthier lifestyle but need guidance and support to achieve and sustain that goal. Other upcoming Activate Windham County programs include Journey to a Healthier Lifestyle–a facilitated 10-week discussion and support group for health seekers–and a wellness program for adolescent girls. Activate Windham County activities are supported in part by grants from the Holt Fund and Pepsico.

More information about Meeting Waters YMCA programs and services is available at their website at www.meetingwatersymca.org or by calling their office nearest you–Brattleboro: 246-1036; Bellows Falls: 463-4769; or Springfield: 885-8131.