Passing On Life ­Lessons And A ­Passion For ­Basketball

Passing On Life ­Lessons And A ­Passion For ­Basketball

The Health Beat

One Denver Mom Is ­Helping The YMCA Transform Lives Through Sports

 by Claudia Morlan, YMCA of Metro Denver

When Jessica Giffin first signed up her daughter for the 3rd/4th grade basketball at the YMCA of Metro Denver last year, she had no idea she’d fall into coaching the team. While she “accidentally” volunteered for the position, it was a decision that has proved “the best experience.”

Over the course of two seasons, the University Hills YMCA team became one of the best in their bracket, winning all but a few of their games each season and transformed the lives of students and parents alike.

It didn’t start that way. The first game, Giffin couldn’t make it. The second game, her team lost horribly. “Some of the girls started crying,” she recalls. “I encouraged them that what mattered is that we played with heart, and we became ‘team heart.’ Every game we started with the rally cry ‘We’ve got heart!’”

Transformation began from the inside out. “After the kids started taking ownership, the parents got involved too. Every single member of the girls’ families started showing up for our games. Even the grandparents and extended family started coming.”

As a long-time member of the Y and current Senior Manager of Community Well-being, Giffin is used to leaning in at the Y and has discovered many benefits along the way. This time, her willingness also opened the door to new leadership skills and the esteemed moniker of “coach.”

“The kids wanted to have fun, and all wanted to be in charge,” she shared, “So we had a dance between me letting them take charge of certain areas and learning their strengths… I never thought I’d have the title, but now all my kids call me “coach,” which is super cool.”

For Giffin, it was the perfect opportunity not only to refresh herself on aspects of the sport but to rediscover her own love for basketball. “I played basketball in high school, and I joined a Y rec team with women who played a lot of division 1, 2, or 3 in college,” Giffin explained. “That gave me the basic experience I needed…. If you have any interest or baseline knowledge of a sport, it can be really fun to re-acquaint yourself with it by coaching. Plus, I remembered just how much fun it is to shoot hoops, and now I do that at the beginning of all my workouts.”

What was particularly gratifying was to see the positive impact on the kids and their families.

“One girl who really struggled with our losses wrote me a sweet note at the end of the season about how she appreciated me listening to her and helping her. Her mom shared that her daughter doesn’t like writing and struggled with it in school. So, the fact that she wrote something meant that I made a huge impact on her life,” Giffin added.

The impact extended to her own family. “My daughter is a very headstrong kid, and this was her first team sport. It was really cool to watch her learn how to be a part of the team.”

“It’s about what attitude you bring, showing up for your teammates, and listening to your coach — once they took that to heart, it really made an impact.”

Giffin encourages parents and students who might be interested in joining or coaching a Y sports team to get involved. It’s the kind of experience you won’t want to pass up but pass on.

The YMCA of Metro Denver offers a host of youth sports, egaming and other offerings to the greater Denver area throughout the year. Learn more about all the programs the YMCA has to offer at denverymca.org.

Unleashing The Leader Within: Join Our YMCA Service Project

Unleashing The Leader Within: Join Our YMCA Service Project

Photo: Courtesy of the YMCA of Metro Denver

by Angelica Rodriguez Luna, Marketing Manager, YMCA of Metro Denver

Are you a parent of a teenager looking for a program that challenges your child, gives them a chance to grow as a leader, builds friendships, and makes an impact your community? Look no further than our YMCA Service Project program!

What does your teen gain from the program?

  1. Develop Leadership Skills: Through the Y Service Project, teens gain invaluable leadership skills that will benefit them in all aspects of life. Whether it’s project planning, effective communication, team collaboration, or problem-solving, the program provides a hands-on learning experience!
  2. Make Positive Change: By being actively involved in planning and executing a service project, kids can address issues that matter to them and witness the positive impact of their efforts firsthand.
  3. Build Lasting Friendships: The Y Service Project is not just about community service; it’s also about building a tight-knit community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for making a difference. Teens forge bonds with other teens (often from different schools and communities), share experiences, and create memories.
  4. Earn Community Service Hours: As if all the personal growth and rewarding experiences weren’t enough, the Y Service Project also allows teens to earn community service hours for school or other organizations.

“Be courageous, be respectful” is what one teen had to say about her involvement in the YMCA Service Project program.

What kind of projects will teens take part in?

Teens can do anything, from assisting with the YMCA’s Beyond Hunger Food Pantry Program, to volunteering at a shelter/kitchen, to supporting a community ­garden. So, consider empowering your teen to lead the way and join like-minded students in the YMCA’s program this fall. Also, learn more about the Youth in Government program offered by the YMCA. Get the details at https://denverymca.org/teen-programs.

YMCA Cycling Class Inspires ­Students And Instructor

YMCA Cycling Class Inspires ­Students And Instructor

Discovering Life Lessons Through The Lens Of Fitness

by Claudia Morlan, YMCA of Metro Denver

Cycling class at the Arvada YMCA.

When Victoria Cardenas came to Denver from Mexico City in 1997, there were two things she wanted to learn how to do. The first was to ride a bike, which she learned from her husband Francisco Cardenas. The second was how to swim, a skill she gained through swim lessons at her local YMCA.

More than two decades later, Victoria is still using and enjoying both activities. She runs, bikes, and swims in triathlons, thanks to the same two people who encouraged her in the first place: Francisco and Elizabeth “Liz” Bravman, nutritionist and cycling instructor at the Arvada YMCA.

Every Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m., there’s a good chance you’ll find Victoria and Francisco pedaling in Liz’s cycling class, getting both sweaty and inspired. Francisco and Victoria have been members of the Y since 2001, and it was at the downtown Denver YMCA where Victoria learned to swim. Today, they frequent the Arvada-Ducan Y just a few minutes from their home.

“I went back to cycling about six months ago after I had gained some weight, and Liz Bravman at the Y has made all the difference,” said Francisco. “Liz is kind, giving, sup­portive and knowledgeable.”

“Liz is amazing. Go take a class with her and you’ll see how motivating and supportive she is,” echoed Victoria. “In class, Liz instructs us to set goals for ourselves and then gives us the motivation and encouragement to reach those goals. This is a great lesson to apply to my day-to-day schedule — set simple, achievable goals, and then enjoy the satisfaction of achieving them.”

As she sets goals for her students, Liz draws upon her own experience as a former Y student.

“Before I became a Y cycling instructor and nutritionist, I belonged to the Y, using my membership for its fantastic childcare and to improve my health,” recalled Liz.

As a mother of three, the Y became a “third place” for Liz, a bridge between home and her children’s school for workouts, stress relief, and opportunities to connect with others socially.

Now that she is an instructor, Liz’s approach is to “let [my students] know they are in control of everything in cycling class, including their goals, effort, and attitude. I always encourage people to find a small chal­lenge for each day and try meet those challenges.”

“Our fellow students are awesome too,” Victoria added. “There’s no judgement, and we are supportive of each other — it’s not like a recreation center or fitness club where people just look down while they exercise and try to get out without interacting with an­other person.”

Francisco also noted the class camaraderie and support. “Liz sets an environment where everyone is welcome regardless of ability. She plays a killer variety of music in­cluding hip hop, classic rock, and even a little country. I work out harder in a group en­vironment, and because cycling is a low-impact exercise, I don’t have any issues with my joints or ligaments, like I did when I ran.”

According to Francisco and Victoria, class­es with Liz are not just about fitness. They are about taking the lessons and moti­vation from the exercise classroom and applying them to life.

“Both Victoria and I have gained so many benefits from Liz’s cycling class — physically, emotionally. When we go to the Y, we eat better, our days are better, we smile more, and I’m a kinder person,” said Francisco.

Liz sees these lessons as key motivations and benefits of cycling. “Cycling class is a met­aphor for life: How we push ourselves in­side and outside of class. Cycling transcends physical and mental challenges. I’s very empowering to move your body. Every­body should try it. It’s low impact and good on the joints, and you’re never too young or too old to cycle. You can push yourself as hard as you want.”

Indoor cycling is available at the Arvada, Aurora, Littleton, Southwest, and ­University Hills YMCAs. Learn more about the YMCA’s cycling and other exercise offerings at den verymca.org or the Meet & Cycle classes at the Glendale Sports Center at Infinity Park at sportscenterglendale.com.

YMCA Preschool Teacher Shares Importance Of Creative, Community Learning

YMCA Preschool Teacher Shares Importance Of Creative, Community Learning

by Julie Cataldo, Sr. Director, Early Childhood Education,

YMCA of Metro Denver

As Denver grows and Colorado prepares to launch universal preschool, more families than ever are looking for early childcare/education for the fall. The task can seem daunting, but the key is to find a safe and nurturing option that draws out kids’ interests and encourages them in a fun, welcoming, and creative learning environment. Just ask Christina Graham, who has worked at the YMCA University Hills Academy Preschool for nine years. As someone who discovered a love for music early in her own life, Graham is delighted with the opportunity to bring rhythm and melody into the classroom.

“I sing every day — have a song for every occasion,” she shared. “Learning through music for me always stuck more and was more enjoyable. It makes learning more fun.”

Graham is the lead teacher of the Preschool room at University Hills Y ­Academy, the first preschool class for children 2.5-4 years old. She teaches foundational ­concepts like shapes, numbers, and the alphabet to about 20 kids.

“We use Creative Curriculum that gives us a deep dive into different subjects,” she shared “One month we focus on water, and the next month we will focus on the concept of building things.”

Exploration is a cornerstone of Y Academy curriculum and an element that Graham particularly appreciates. There is never a dull moment in Graham’s classroom. From making oobleck, trying yoga, and holding their own dance parties, to learning about reptiles and magic tricks, every week holds a new discovery.

“We have a music center, a block center, and a science center. We teach a lot through play and seeing what the children’s focus is on,” Graham explained. “At this young age, having many opportunities to try new things is key to discovering what you like. You can try basketball, swimming, soccer, and piano classes — all that at such a young age. That is an important opportunity, and I’m really glad we can do that for the community and the kids.”

Having that strong, nurturing community is key too.

“I really like how close we can get with the families. We have families whom I have taught all of their kids, and now their nieces and nephews are coming through as well,” Graham added. “You get to connect and grow with them.”

Graham and her fellow Academy ­teachers prioritize developing connections with parents and help them stay connected daily through the Y’s “Tadpoles” program, where they can provide an outline of what kids are doing and send pictures and updates throughout the day. The Y Academy teachers also offer simple activities that parents can do to further classroom learning at home.

For instance, Graham “shares the teaching-based songs we are learning with parents, so they sing them at home with their kids.”

Graham has certainly seen the results of this play-based, community-centered learning at the Y. Academy teachers use Teaching Strategies Gold as an assessment tool, which includes photos of assignments over time. Graham shared that she has “some kids who could barely write at the beginning of the year and can clearly spell their name by the end. It’s really fun to see the improvement and celebrate with them as they are getting better and know it too.”

The YMCA of Metro Denver offers three early childhood education centers around the metro area — Arvada, Southwest, and University Hills — as well as programs like swim lessons, youth sports, dance classes, before and after school enrichment programs, and more through school age and be­yond. Learn more about all the programs the YMCA has to offer at denverymca.org.

First Jobs Can Be The Gateway To ­Success, YMCA Board Member And Executive Shares

First Jobs Can Be The Gateway To ­Success, YMCA Board Member And Executive Shares

The Health Beat

by Sandy McClain, Senior Director of Human Resources, YMCA of Metro Denver

A great first job can have a big impact. Just ask Denverite Nicole Riehl. While Riehl is now President & CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), she still distinctly remembers opening and looking at her very first paycheck from the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver.

“In that moment, I felt so grown up and proud of the work I had done to earn that pay­check,” she shared. “It was a huge milestone in my young life, and I was excited for the opportunity and the future career journey it represented.”

Riehl’s first jobs were at her childhood ele­mentary school as part of the Arvada-Susan Duncan YMCA’s Before & After School Program and also as a lifeguard and swim teacher, which she did for a full summer before moving out of the area. At the Y, she quickly discovered a love for working with children and developing relationships with families, which would become central to her “future career journey.”

“It was very fulfilling to watch children de­velop new skills and achieve goals, and then help them share that news and cele­brate with their families,” she shared. “These roles prepared me for my career in many ways. For example, I learned how to com­mu­nicate with parents on their children’s pro­gress. Swim lessons gave me the op­por­tu­nity to develop and refine the ways to celebrate success and deliver constructive feedback, which are skills I have used throughout my career.”

Since that time, Riehl has served in several leadership development programs and continued to expand her skills working with children, families, and communities. Currently she leads EPIC, collaborating with oth­er business executives and employers to advocate for early childhood policies and bet­ter workplace solutions for families.

“My direct experience with children and families is something that always guides my work whether I am testifying to a legislative committee or working with an employer to build on site childcare for their employees,” Riehl shared.

She also serves on the YMCA of Metro Denver Board of Directors, which Riehl described as “an incredible ‘full circle’ opportunity.”

“The Y was a safe place that supported my development and learning early on in my life,” she explained. “To volunteer and serve on the Board…has enabled me to see even more aspects of the great people and work behind the Y. The people are the ‘secret sauce’ to any great organization, and this is certainly true for the Y.”

Riehl volunteers on the board’s Programs Committee, which helps the Y integrate new programs and expand early childhood services to more families. She has recently play­ed a key role in helping shape the Y’s im­plementation of Universal Preschool in Colorado.

Based on her own experience, lifeguarding and similar positions can be a great first jobs, and Riehl encourages teenagers and young adults to get connected with a job at the Y if they have the option. The YMCA of Metro­pol­itan Denver is one of five associ­a­tions across the state and, collectively, are one of its largest employers hiring year-around and seasonally for early child care teach­ers, summer camp counselors, swim in­­structors, child watch/Adventure Zone per­­sonnel, experience representatives, and more.

Interested in work that matters? Learn about seasonal, part-time, and full-time po­si­tions working with children and families for the YMCA of Metro Denver. Visit https://denverymca.org/employment.

Mental Wellness: Key To Health Living

Mental Wellness: Key To Health Living

by Amanda-Scates Preisinger, MPH, Senior Director of Health and Well-Being, YMCA of Metro Denver

Some say fitness is mind over matter, but true health requires both mind and matter. Mental health is how we think, act, and feel; We all have mental health. During Mental Health Month (this May), mental self-care is front-of-mind for us at the YMCA of Metro Denver, especially since we aim to provide workshops and experiences that promote mental health in our community.

Just ask Betsy Schwartz, Denverite and YMCA of Aurora member. “It’s all so connected — mental and physical health,” she shared with us recently. “I can see when I’m looking at the mirror in Body Pump class how much stronger my arms are, which is good for my mental health… There’s also endorphins that release when you really work up a sweat, and so I’ll bike.”

She is not alone. Recent studies have found that physical exercise can significantly improve mental health, and that regular, positive activity boosts cognitive function and can combat depression. This is true not only for older adults, but also for teens and pre-teens.

It’s particularly encouraging to work out in a space where you’re known and appreciated, which is why the YMCA is committed to providing Denverites a safe, encouraging community with opportunities for physical as well as mental self-care. “It’s all the benefits of physical exercise plus the community,” as Betsy has said.

In addition to improving physical health, finding ways to grow social/emotional skills and mindfulness can have other significant health benefits as well. The YMCA focuses on incorporating social and emotional elements throughout our programs. Samantha Church, manager of YMCA Out of School Time, manages teams that “build social and emotional pieces into our curriculum and check in with the kids every day. We have conversations about what it means to be a friend and how to express emotions in a healthy way.”

Her team members are also part of regular learning cohorts on trauma-informed care and how to provide kids with consistent emotional and social support.

Because of its importance, our YMCAs also offer a variety of programs focused specifically on mental health, including mindfulness. Betsy and a fellow member Jane recently joined the Y’s Mindful Eating Program and were both surprised about how much they learned to appreciate food and other aspects of life in the process.

“It’s slowed me down a little bit — to be aware,” Betsy explained. “It made me look at food not as a reward or something to avoid, but something to hopefully live with for a long time, slow down, taste it, and enjoy… It’s journey and a practice, kind of like yoga.”

“With mindful eating, you start applying the same tactics to other things you do,” Jane added. “It teaches you to appreciate what you have.”

In an increasingly stressful world, it is more important than ever before that we support each other mentally and emotionally to lead happy and healthy lives.

To learn more about our mental health workshops, events, and resources at the Y, please visit denverymca.org/mentalhealth.