Fall programs for everyone at the YWCA

With summer coming to a close, your kids will soon be looking for things to do now that school is starting. The YWCA is one-stop shopping for you and your child.

We offer many youth programs from gymnastics for children 18 months to 14 years of age, beginner karate for ages 8 and up, youth basketball for grades 3-8, home school physical education for ages 5 and up, and or they can work out on their own in our fitness. The fitness center is available to anyone who is at least 13 years old, but children 13 to 16 must complete our basic training program.

The YWCA is a great place to bring your children because you can work out in or fitness center, take a swim in our pool or play basketball or racquetball while your children participate in the activities.

The fitness center is available Monday through Friday from 4:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s no excuse that you can’t find time with all of these available hours. Don’t hesitate to try any of our free aerobic classes offered at several times throughout the day. We offer karate, noon time basketball on Tuesdays and Thursdays, adult 3 on 3 basketball league, and racquetball anytime that the building’s open.

While Gettysburg has many of opportunities for activities, why not bring the entire family to the YWCA to workout or play at one place. There are many family activities as well to participate in such as swimming, racquetball, basketball, or even practice your soccer skills inside in the air conditioned gym. Compared to prices of theme parks or family vacations, the YWCA is affordable for the entire family at a fraction of the cost.

If you need to relax after all the hard work or exhausting exercise, you can kick back in the whirlpool, dry sauna, or get a relaxing massage from one of our three massage therapists. They offer shorter massages to release tension or a full body massages for those who want to get away from the daily shuffle. You could also try a natural approach by experiencing reflexology or an ionic foot detox. Any choice of massage will be a pleasant experience that’s worth treating yourself to at an affordable rate.

Now that you know where to go for all of your fitness needs, don’t forget to check us out on our website at www.ywcagettysburg.org. You will also find a complete list of all programs, classes, and activities offered at the YWCA.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give Brian Emig, health promotions and sports director, at bemig@ywcagettysburg.org or call him at 717-334-9171, ext. 121.

Living our mission

BY ASHLEY ANDYSHAK HAYES

The past year has brought a world of culture to the YWCA Gettysburg and Adams County.

It began with our first-ever Unity Walk through Gettysburg in October, highlighting major landmarks of  the town’s African American history.

The following months brought the food, dance and cultural traditions of Indian, Chinese and Hispanic cultures to the YW.

The mission of the YWCA is to eliminate racism and empower women. These cultural events fulfill this mission not only by offering an opportunity for people to experience a culture different from their own, but by helping to integrate each of these cultural communities within Adams County.

The YWCA is planning to continue these events into the coming years, highlighting a different culture at each. Our second Unity Walk is scheduled for October, and our next (yet to be determined) cultural celebration event will be held in November. Until then, I encourage you to explore our other programs that aim to eliminate racism and empower women:

Brown Bag Lunch series: A monthly lunchtime lecture discussing a specific aspect of the YWCA mission. Each session is held in the YWCA Community Room from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your own lunch or order ahead from Ragged Edge II. The next Brown Bag Lunch on June 16 will feature Joanne Lewis, a licensed battlefield guide. Lewis will present the lives of two Gettysburg-area women who lived during the Civil War era, Salome Myers and Josephine Miller.

Single Parent Support Group: A group for both men and women to discuss budgeting and financial issues, nutrition, navigating public assistance, and parenting techniques. The group meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the YWCA. Membership is not required, and free child care is provided.

It’s Time To Talk: A monthly informal discussion on current events, racial justice, and other issues. This program will take a break for the summer, but will come back in the fall and in a panel discussion format.

These Hallmark and mission programs aim to address the issues that are important to you, the residents of the Adams County community. To do that, we need your input: what issues would you like to see addressed in future Time To Talk sessions? What cultures should we highlight in our quarterly celebration events? Are there other women’s empowerment or racial justice programs you’d like to see in our community?

Feel free to call me at 717-334-9171, ext. 113, or e-mail aahayes@ywcagettysburg.org, with your ideas or to find out more about any of our programs.

Ashley Andyshak Hayes is the Hallmark and Mission Director at the YWCA Gettysburg and Adams County.

Pool Closed

I am sorry to have to announce this, but the Y WCA Pool is closed today, Sunday, May 10. The lifeguard checked the chemical levels this morning and they were too high. The fitness center, racquetball courts and gymnasium are still open until 5 p.m.

We need your help to tell our history

To celebrate our 80^th anniversary, the YWCA and ACTV will create a 15-minute video that tells the story of the YWCA in Adams County. The video will consist of four parts:  our history including our founding and early years, the evolution of our development including our new home, adding the pool, daycare and consolidation of the new facility, who we are now and where we are headed. We’d like to tell the story of the YWCA’s past and our evolution into the community center that we are today.  And we’d like to challenge viewers to become a part of our future.

This video will be shown at special events, on ACTV, possibly streamed on the web and DVDs will be shared with anyone interested.

This will be accomplished through a slideshow of still photos, interviews with YW members and video of past events.

This is where we need your help.

The YW has boxes of old photos, unfortunately there are not many from before 1981. If anyone has anything they could share, we would greatly appreciate it. The photos will be instantly scanned and returned to you so there is no fear of them ending up lost or damaged. If you have video, that would be great as well. The video cannot be instantly returned, but I guarantee it will be treated with care and returned ASAP.

If you do not have materials, but know someone who does, please ask them or send me their contact information. We want this to be a complete history.

Any questions can be directed to Alex Hayes (ahayes@ywcagettysburg.org) or Brian Allen (ballen@ywcagettysburg.org).

Paying Taxes? Help a Neighbor!

Anyone with a TV, a newspaper, an internet connection, or just two ears knows that Pennsylvania businesses and residents are struggling right now. As our economy continues to slump, many folks are facing reduced work-weeks and less income from their family-owned businesses – some have even been laid-off. At the same time, families are trying hard to keep home-life normal for their kids. Keeping their children in a quality pre-kindergarten program through this period is a high priority for many of these families. It is paramount that some assistance be available for those who do not earn enough to pay the full cost of tuition.

Even though times are tough, many businesses in Pennsylvania have to pay state taxes. By directing your business-tax dollars to the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County Pre-Kindergarten tax credit program, you will ensure that your hard earned money is being put to use in your own community benefiting YWCA as well as some deserving Adams County children.

Pennsylvania approved the YWCA to accept tax credits from the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) for pre-kindergarten scholarships.  These scholarships are available for children, ages 3 to 5, participating in our childcare programs.  As the largest childcare provider in Adams County, our three centers care for up to 300 children, with over 100 in our Pre-K programs.

In a little more than a year, six businesses have contributed more than $42,000 to the YWCA for Pre-K scholarships. This has enabled us to offer sixteen 6-month scholarships to low-to-moderate income families. Each scholarship is 50% to 75% of the full cost of an annual tuition.  Like much of the county’s middle class, these families make too much for government subsidies but too little to otherwise afford childcare on their own.

Qualifying businesses may contribute up to $10,000 as a 100% tax credit, and an additional $90,000 as a 90% tax credit.  In order to fund EITC Pre-K scholarships, eligible businesses are those authorized to do business in Pennsylvania and must be subject to any of the following taxes:  Corporate Net Income Tax, Capital Stock Franchise Tax, Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax, Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax, Insurance Premiums Tax, or Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax.

If you own a Pennsylvania business, please ask your accountant if you qualify to take advantage of these tax credits. Or if you think your employer would like to target his or her taxes to benefit Adams County families and the YWCA, please pass on this information.

You can find more information on Pre-K Scholarships at www.newpa.com (search “EITC). The application process is extremely simple, and I am ready to assist any business applying on our behalf.  Just call 717-334-9171 x112.  With no additional cost to you, and very little effort, your tax dollars can begin benefiting Adams County children at the YWCA today.

Bubba Bash – March 15

Since the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County opened its fitness center in 1981, the organization has tried to make its recreation programs available to as many people as possible. We offer memberships for individuals, families, seniors, single parents, and students.

However, there are still some who aren’t able to pay the full membership fees. To make sure these potential members get the chance to enjoy the same programs and services, the YW started its Sponsors’ Fund that same year.

Over the past 28 years, the fund has helped hundreds of adults get fit and improve their health and self-esteem, and allowed kids to enjoy the YW’s summer camps, swim lessons and other activities.

Marianna “Bubba” Martin Rodgers recognized the need for the YW’s programs and services in the community, so to help the Sponsors’ Fund continue from year to year, the Gettysburg native established an annual volleyball tournament that became the Sponsors’ Fund’s main fundraising event.

“Bubba” passed away suddenly in 2003, but her legacy lives on through the annual tournament, which is now known as Bubba Bash. The event is open to 24 teams each year, and encourages healthy competition and recreation while striving to help those in the community who may not be able to enjoy the same.

This year’s tournament will be held Sunday, March 15, beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the Gettysburg College Field House. The entry fee is $110 per team. Only coed teams including at least two women are eligible, and games will use USVBA rules in both Power and Intermediate divisions.

Bubba Bash brings in about $3,000 each year for the fund, now called the YWCA Financial Assistance Program. In the past year, the fund has provided assistance for many local families and individuals.

The Financial Aid Fund committee revamped the program last year in hopes of making membership assistance available to those in our community who need it most. The committee is constantly accepting applications, and financial assistance is available for rec pass memberships, swim lessons, summer camps, and other programs. All applicants are asked to provide proof of income, as assistance is awarded on an income-based scale. Memberships are valid for six months, and facility use is evaluated after three months to ensure the membership is meeting the applicants’ needs.

The YWCA is still accepting teams for this year’s Bubba Bash. To sign up your team, or for more information on the Financial Assistance Program, stop by the YWCA at 909 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, or call Sue Pitzer at 717-334-9171, ext. 120.

If you’re not a volleyball player, you can still make a donation to the Financial Aid Fund by calling Brian Allen at ext. 113.

Click here for an application!

YWCA Combine Top Performers

The YWCA of Gettysburg/Adams County recently held an all-sports combine at the facility. Participants were assessed in the 10yd run, vertical jump, pro agility run, and hang clean. Participants received a performance index, which is an evaluation tool used to determine raw athletic potential.

Top performers:
Overall Male: Thomas Kranias-1840.9
Overall Female: Elizabeth Witherow-1747
10yd Male: Thomas Kranias-842 (1.39 sec)
10yd Female: Brianna Thomas-827 (1.62 sec)
Vertical Jump Male: Taylor Melemai-389.2 (28 inches)
Vertical Jump Female: Kortney Showers-439 (25.3 inches)
Pro Agility Male: Matthew Guise-341 (4.3 sec)
Pro Agility Female: Brianna Thomas-368 (4.8 sec)
Hang Clean Male: Matthew Guise-365 (211 pds)
Hang Clean Female: Elizabeth Witherow-360 (121pds)

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) will select the top nationwide performers to the NSCA National Index Championships.  The boys event is May 9 in El Paso, Tx, while the girls event is June 6 in Colorado Springs.  Top national performers will have the opportunity to compete in the International Championships in Las Vegas on July 8.  

The YWCA will be holding combines periodically throughout the year to allow local athletes and coaches the opportunity to assess raw athletic ability.  For more information, subscribe to this blog, and/or contact Brian Emig (bemig@ywcagettysburg.org)

YWCA Sports Combine Login Instructions

Combine Participants:

Thanks for participating in the YWCA Combine, held February 14 at the YWCA of Gettysburg/Adams County.  Your participation in this unique event shows your commitment to becoming the best athlete you can be!!  It also opens you up to the possibility, depending on your performance, of competing in the NSCA National Index Championships, held later in the spring. 

To access your scores….

1-log into http://www.nsca-lift.org/Fly%20Solo%20Program/testlicensemain.asp

2-Scroll down the left-hand side of the page and click on “Athlete Login to see Test Scores” icon

3-The next screen will ask you for your username (first and last name as entered on registration form, no space, lower case:  i.e. timothyhibbs) and your password (first eight letters of first and last name:  i.e. timothyh)

4-The next screen will give you a number of choices on the left-hand side, choose “Check Scores” to check your performance.  There are a number of options to use to check your scores.

5-If you’re not familiar with the hang clean, and want to see how your score is without it, log onto:  http://www.nsca-lift.org/Fly%20Solo%20Program/epicratingfreelook/Good%20Epic%20Rating.pdf  This screen will give you an EPIC rating.  If you’re interested in more information on this rating, email Coach Hibbs at finishthedrill@gmail.com.  This option is another way to check your scores, but at an additional fee.

6-Questions about what all of this means?

Evaluation Section: http://www.nsca-lift.org/Fly%20Solo%20Program/wpfindexexp.asp

Index Evaluation instructions:  http://www.nsca-lift.org/Fly%20Solo%20Program/Index%20Evaluation.pdf

7-If you still have more questions, desire a consultation to analyze the meaning of your scores, or wish to have your scores explained to your sport coach, email Coach Hibbs at finishthedrill@gmail.com

8-The YWCA of Gettysburg/Adams County has developed an Athletic Performance Training Center for all of your sports related needs.  Strength, speeed, agility, quickness, reaction, flexibility, nutrition, mental training, college admissions, and many more topics are included in the incredibly affordable $25 monthly charge for Rec Pass holders.  If you are not a Rec Pass holder, contact Coach Hibbs (finishthedrill@gmail.com) for more information!!

The Athletic Performance Center of the YWCA of Gettysburg/Adams County thanks you for your participation in the combine, and hopes to see you again at the next testing session.  These sessions can also be done at your school.  Contact Brian Emig (bemig@ywcagettysburg.org) for more information!!

 

Tim Hibbs, CSCS 

NSCA Fly Solo Mentor

EPIC Combine Director

YWCA COMBINE PRODUCES EARLY NATIONAL LEADERS

The YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams County held Sport Performance Combines over the summer.  The results of these combines were entered in the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s National Index Championships.  Participants in the YWCA’s Sports Combine fared very well after the first national entries.

 

Four of the top eleven male performers and two of the top ten female performers were products of the YWCA Combine!  Nic Lieberum currently sits third nationally amongst males, while Elizabeth Witherow is fourth nationally amongst females.  In addition, YWCA Combine participants sit very highly amongst individual sport leaders.  Matt Guise is the current national leader in soccer, Nic Lieberum leads in wrestling, Elizabeth Witherow leads in field hockey, and Amy Baugher leads in girls tennis. Numerous YWCA Combine performers also are near the top in football.

The NSCA National Index Championships will be held May 9, 2009 in El Paso, Texas for males, and June 6, 2009 in Colorado Springs, CO for females.  Those winners advance to the International Index Championship in Las Vegas, NV July 8-11, 2009.  The index measures the athlete in the following activities:  vertical jump, 10 yard dash, pro agility, and hang clean.  The second and final round of entries must be uploaded by March 5, 2009.

 The YWCA Sport Combines are part of the Sport Performance Enhancement Program offered by the facility.  Athletes have the opportunity to work with CSCS and NSCA Fly Solo certified performance enhancement specialists to improve their abilities in all sports.  The YWCA will be holding another Sports Combine on Saturday February 14 from 8 to 11 am. For more information contact Brian Emig at 717-334-9171 x 121.

 

Check out the video below, for more info on the Combine Test. The report begins 5:58 into the video, so scroll past the first report if you wish.

ACTV Update 6/06/2008 – More amazing video clips are a click away

Chinese New Year Celebration video

Thanks to ACTV, one of our non-profit partners, for allowing us to share this video. For more information on the Cultural Nights, contact Brian Allen at 334-9171, ext. 113.


ACTV Update 02/04/09 - YWCA Celebrates Chinese New Year from ACTV on Vimeo.