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Concussion recognition and prevention have recently become major areas of focus in youth sports. The state of Washington passed its first concussion in sports law in 2009 inspired by Zackery Lystedt, a young man who suffers from lasting effects of severe head trauma sustained in a high school football game. Between 2009 and 2012, 43 states passed laws concerning concussions and youth sport participants.
 Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury which can alter the way your brain normally functions. All concussions are serious, most occur without loss of consciousness. Proper response when the incident occurs can help prevent further injury or even death. Nationally, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides free training materials and classes. The YMCA is diligent in educating and preparing our coaches in how to prevent, identify and treat concussions.
Recently KXLY News 4 ran a story on football injuries among young athletes. Pat Estes, Association Youth Sports Director, was able to share what the Y is doing to keep our players safe. The Y provides training to all coaches on an annual basis and limits practice to 90 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Although it has only been 4 years since Washington State passed concussion laws, the Y has had rules and training in place for over a decade. YMCA of the USA is interested in providing information to Y's across the country to prevent concussions and has recognized Pat Estes as one of the strongest resources on this subject. Thank you Pat for showing our community one more way the Y is more than just a gym.
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 At the Y, we believe the arts play an essential role in every individual's ability to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body. From dance to music to poetry, the arts support mental and physical health by providing outlets for self-expression, stress relief, exercise and opportunities to connect with others.
October is National Arts and Humanities Month and a perfect time to celebrate the power of the arts and their positive effect on our well-being. Here are a few ways for you and your family to get involved.
- Dance can burn three-times as many calories as walking while also serving as a creative outlet for self-expression. Sign up for a dance class or dance-inspired exercise class, or have an impromptu dance party with your family at home.
- Reading and regularly doing crossword puzzles can significantly reduce the risk of dementia in senior citizens, studies have shown. Exercise your brain by cozying up to your favorite book or word-based puzzle.
- Painting, ceramics and other art activities can often provide stress relief for the artist. Set aside time to unwind while practicing a new art form, or seek out an art class.
- Group art activities can foster a sense of community and improve your well-being by connecting you with others who share similar interests. Join a book club or a theater group where you may find a new community of friends.
- Family art projects offer an interactive and fun way for caregivers and children to collaborate and strengthen relationships. Gather materials for a family art project such as making your own holiday or birthday cards.
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For many of our members here at the Y, we are much more than just a gym. For nearly 130 years we have been helping the Spokane community build healthy spirit, mind and body! Carolyn recently shared with us what being a member has meant for her as she navigated some terrible losses in her life and family.  Ten years ago, Carolyn lost her grandson as a result of a tragic accident. Through it all she tried to keep her routine at the Y and here she found the support she needed to get through each day and move toward healing. Our staff helped keep her focused on exercises and activities that would provide the mental healing she needed. During this time, she lost 42 pounds and continues to visit the Y regularly. Sadly, she recently suffered another loss of her great-grandson. As before, the Spokane Valley Y staff has supported her through that grief and mourning. After all this heartache, she says about the Y, "I cannot encourage others enough to come and stay active. It is good for you. The YMCA is more than a gym; it is fellowship and lifetime achievement for a healthy body. Thank you to all who gave me my smile, not only on my face, but inside myself to enjoy life."
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The Youth Investment Program at the YMCA serves young women and men ages 13-19 referred by Spokane Juvenile Court to fulfill required community service. Typically, these youth lack support, guidance, resources and positive role models. The program intervenes and invests in the lives of the under-served youth to break the cycle of hopelessness and self-destruction, empowering them to succeed.
The Y believes that encouraging strong work ethic will enable young people to develop self-respect, dignity, and hope for the future. Basic job skills and workplace expectations are learned through work experience projects including yard and lawn care, facility maintenance for YMCA buildings, gardening and greenhouse upkeep.
This summer alone, the youth in the program harvested over 400 pounds of fresh vegetables that were given to the YMCA's Early Childhood Education Center at the Central Spokane YMCA. Preparation of the greenhouse is underway enabling them to continue growing produce through the winter. A true sense of self-worth and accomplishment is felt among the participants from the activities.
The Youth Investment Program is just one of the examples of how the Y fulfills its purpose of giving everyone a safe place to learn, grow and thrive. To learn more about the Youth Investment Program, click here or contact Jesse Richner at jrichner@ymcaspokane.org or call 509 777 YMCA (9622) x 215.
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The Challenge Has Begun
WASHINGTON MOVES CHARITY CHALLENGE
Change Lives with Every Workout
Help the YMCA earn money to support our charitable mission by tracking your daily physical activity. Premera Blue Cross, LifeWise Health Plan of Washington and Vivacity selected the YMCA of the Inland Northwest as one of five statewide charities to receive up to $20,000 by encouraging our YMCA family to be active! Sign up at www.everymove.org/WAmovesStep by step sign up instructions here
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The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is celebrating the importance of afterschool programs with the Lights On Afterschool event! Games, Cupcake Walk, Science Fun, Prizes, Refreshments, Carnival Booths, and MORE! Where: The Warehouse | 800 N. Hamilton OCT 30 | 6:30 - 8:30pm FREE Admission
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Registration Open For Y-Winners Basketball
For Kids Ages 4-5
Introduce your four or five year-old to basketball! Our Y-Winners Basketball program makes it easy for your child to learn the sport that was started by the YMCA.
Practices begin November 9th, and volunteer coaches are always needed! Contact Pat Estes at 777-9622 ext. 414 or at pestes@ymcaspokane.org for more information.
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Family Fun
Movie Night at Central YMCA
Location: Central YMCA
Movies start around 7:00pm
10/11 - Gremlins
11/8 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
12/20 - Home Alone
Family Fun
Movie Night at Valley YMCA
Location: Valley YMCA
Movies start around 7:00pm
10/8 - The Prince of Egypt 10/11 - The Little Rascals 10/18 - The Lorax 10/25 - Where the Red Fern Grows Part 1 11/1 - Where the Red Fern Grows Part 2 11/8 - Horton Hears a Who 11/15 - Second Hand Lions
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