YMCA of Pawtucket Partners with Central Falls for Neighborhood Health Station Initiative

NEWS RELEASE

Branches to Offer Free Physical Activity Options for Central Falls Residents

Pawtucket, RI (June 23, 2015) – The YMCA of Pawtucket has announced that it has joined Blackstone Valley Health Care, Inc., Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and the City of Central Falls in its initiative to create a Neighborhood Health Station. Health Stations are designed to build community, create economic development and transform healthcare delivery throughout local communities.

In addition to providing high-quality healthcare to community members, Neighborhood Health Stations are also a place for people to gather with friends, exercise and grow together.

“We thank the YMCA of Pawtucket for providing this extraordinary opportunity for the residents of Central Falls, and for joining us as we create the state’s first Neighborhood Health Station in Central Falls,” said Mayor James Diossa. “The Y shares in our belief that through a coordinated effort, we can support Central Falls residents’ efforts to lead a healthy, happy lifestyle.”

An integral part of the mission of the YMCA of Pawtucket is to promote healthy communities through wellness education. To that end, the Y will be offering free demonstration programs to Central Fall’s families at both the MacColl YMCA in Lincoln and the Family YMCA in Pawtucket.

“Investing in local communities is at the heart of our mission at the Y,” said Esselton McNulty, Executive Director of the YMCA of Pawtucket. “We strive each day to provide comprehensive, quality health and fitness services that will encourage healthy lifestyles in the community, and we are pleased to introduce these programs to the children and families of Central Falls.”

“We are joining together to create a healthy community.  Health is community.  Health is collaboration,” said Michael Fine, M.D. Health Policy Advisor to the Mayor of Central Falls. “Physical activity is critical to health. Now Blackstone Valley Health Care and Memorial Hospital Urgent Care doctors and staff will be able to write exercise prescriptions for their patients, and now those prescriptions can be filled. The YMCA of Pawtucket has exceeded all expectations by offering this program, and by joining our other partners – Blackstone Valley Health Care, Inc., Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Progresso Latino, and the Rhode Island Council of Churches – as we create the first Neighborhood Health Station in the United States.”

Beginning July 8th and running through August 20th, the YMCA of Pawtucket will offer the following complimentary programs to Central Falls residents:

• Family open swim at MacColl YMCA’s community pool on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5pm – 7:30pm, and on Saturdays from 12pm – 5pm.  Free bus transportation will also be provided, with pick-up from Jenks Park in Central Falls to the MacColl YMCA in Lincoln
• Zumba group exercise class for adults and teens ages 14+ at the Pawtucket Family YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm
• Cardio Latin Beat group exercise class for adults and teens ages 14+ at the Pawtucket Family YMCA on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9am
• Aqua-Fit group exercise class for adults and teens ages 14+ at the Pawtucket Family YMCA pool on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am

Space is limited and all interested parties must register in advance by calling the Central Falls Recreation Department at 727.7455.

For more information on the YMCA of Pawtucket, visit www.goymca.com or contact Maureen Thistle at 401.727.7515 or mthistle@ymcapawt.org.

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About the YMCA

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Pawtucket is comprised of five branches across the state: Pawtucket Family YMCA and Heritage Park YMCA Early Learning Center in Pawtucket, MacColl YMCA in Lincoln, Westwood YMCA in Coventry and Woonsocket YMCA.

About the Central Falls Neighborhood Health Station

Under the leadership of Mayor James Diossa, a coordinated team of health professionals and community organizations have joined forces to create RI’s first Neighborhood Health Station in Central Falls, RI. Members of the coalition include: Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Inc., Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Care New England, the Central Falls School District, the YMCA of Pawtucket, Roger Williams University School of Architecture, The Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island Housing, The Rhode Island State Council of Churches, with more to be added.