YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

World’s Largest Swim Lesson

eodonnell — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:53:56 +0000

Be a part of history!
Join in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson. The lesson is being offered at the Allegheny Y, East Suburban Y, Thelma Lovette Y, and Wilmerding Y on June 18th at 11am

The Value of Getting Involved

Deb Moore Ellsworth — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:27:38 +0000

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Business Workshop Article
By Rig Riggins

Research over the past decade has demonstrated that besides helping the community, corporate programs to encourage employee volunteerism also yield benefits to the corporation.

Several studies show that a corporate volunteer program increases employee satisfaction. For example, one study shows that employees view volunteerism as a great way to develop or enhance job-related skills

Four local executives join Y of Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Board of Directors

Deb Moore Ellsworth — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:22:20 +0000

The Y of Greater Pittsburgh announced that David Bluemling, Tracy Foster, James S. Urban and Bonnie VanKirk have joined its Metropolitan Board of Directors.

“We are proud to have board members that are well-known in the Pittsburgh area not only for their professional success, but also their volunteerism,” said Michael Malone, chairman of the Y of Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Board of Directors. “The Y of Greater Pittsburgh strives to address the needs of our community and we are confident that our new board members’ expertise and passion will help us to fulfill our mission of promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

David Bluemling is a partner at Malin Bergquist & Company, which is recognized as a “Top 20” CPA firm in Pittsburgh. From 2001 to 2010, Bluemling was managing partner and chief executive officer for Malin Bergquist. He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was later named “Outstanding Entrepreneur” by his alma mater. Bluemling lives with his wife and three sons in Baden, Pennsylvania.
Mentioned in the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Tracy Foster is the owner of P&W Foreign Cars and is a former professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers. Foster is known in the Pittsburgh area for volunteering his time with children as a positive role model, including mentoring and giving motivational speeches. Foster attended the University of Indiana before transferring to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he became a well-known Blazer basketball player. Mentioned in the Pittsburgh Business Times.

James S. Urban is a partner at Jones Day, where he represents and counsels employers regarding complex labor and employment issues. He is a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law and is an adjunct law professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Urban holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a juris doctor from Duquesne University. He resides in Gibsonia. Mentioned in the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Bonnie VanKirk was a regional advertising manager for Time Inc.’s magazine before retiring and filled the First Ward Commissioner seat in Mt. Lebanon for six months in 2011. She now serves on several boards of directors including Chatham University and Carnegie Science Center. She has received numerous awards for her leadership and volunteer efforts including a lifetime achievement award from the Community College of Allegheny County Educational Foundation in 2010. VanKirk is a graduate of Chatham University. She lives with her family in Mount Lebanon. Mentioned in the Pittsburgh Business Times.

About the Y
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501c(3) charitable organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Programs offered by the Y of Greater Pittsburgh serve more than 90,000 different people each year and include after-school care and childcare, outdoor camping, community outreach, sports, health and fitness, youth counseling and senior assistance. Every day, the Y works side by side with its neighbors to ensure that everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

YMCA Kids Are Winners in Pittsburgh’s First UnitedHealthcare Health Bee

Deb Moore Ellsworth — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:14:48 +0000

Middle school students from across the city came together at the Thelma Lovette YMCA to compete in a Jeopardy-style game focusing on healthy habits.

Send Kids to Camp – EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE

eodonnell — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:02:53 +0000

Thanks to a generous gift from Howard Hanna, the Y is able to make that a reality for children who otherwise would not be able to attend camp.

new chairman of The Y’s Metropolitan board of directors mentioned in the Post Gazette’s “Dateline Pittsburgh”

eodonnell — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:10:26 +0000

“The Y of Greater Pittsburgh announced that Michael J. Malone is the new chairman of its Metropolitan board of directors.”

Read the entire article: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/dateline/dateline-pittsburgh-050513-686325/#ixzz2Sd751rqf

Michael Malone is Announced as Chairman for the Association’s Board of Directors

eodonnell — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:47:10 +0000

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/potmsearch/detail/submission/1645601/Michael_Malone

$1.5 Million Grant to Expand YMCA’s Reach

eodonnell — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:41:40 +0000

By MARGARET J. KRAUSS

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh has received a $1.5 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

The grant will enable the organization to offer increased services at its five urban branches: Hazelwood, Hill District, Hilltop, Homewood-Brushton and McKeesport.

Rig Riggins, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, said the grant bolsters existing initiatives such as Urban Gardens, which provide fresh produce in areas that lack a grocery store, and the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP), which helps participants increase their computer skills and access online resources such as employment opportunities or health information.

“The overriding objective we have with Y’s participating in communities is to strengthen those communities,” Riggins said. “And I don’t think you can do it by just a singular program. So having the matrix of programs that all work together to support families and youth in those communities is really essential.”

Riggins said the grant, to be used over the next two years, will allow urban branches to realize the organization’s three core missions of healthy living, youth development and social responsibility.

“This grant will ensure we address all three in a really coordinated and aggressive fashion,” he said.

In addition to supporting existing programs, the grant will be used to expand the scholarship program, ensuring that regardless of income, families can access the services the YMCA offers. It will also provide funds to expand the aquatics program.

View Full Article

Y Stories - Learn how the Y Makes an Impact on the Lives of Others. Click Here to Read The Y Stories

eodonnell — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:09:07 +0000

Business Workshop: Workplace wellness works

eodonnell — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:06:56 +0000

April 15, 2013 12:12 am
By Rig Riggins

Workplace wellness programs have the potential to reduce healthcare costs by 18 percent — and even more for older workers. That’s the results of a new study by The Vitality Group.

The study analyzed seven health care challenges usually addressed in workplace wellness programs, including alcohol abuse, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and smoking.

Researchers computed the affect on average medical costs if employer wellness programs reduced all seven heightened risk factors to “theoretical minimums.” It found that the total medical expenses for all working age adults could be reduced by about $650 on average, or about 18 percent. The older the employee, the greater the cost savings; up to 28 percent for retirees.

The study didn’t measure the value in the increase in productivity gained when employees are healthier. Employers have long known that the cost of employing unhealthy workers is high. With rising health insurance rates, improving the health of workers has become a key concern for many businesses.

There are a number of different types of wellness programs an employer can introduce to the workforce:

• On-site classes

• An on-site fitness facility

• Healthy lifestyle coaching

• Participation in health fairs and screenings

• Fitness and health evaluations

• Company fitness-related events

• Corporate sports leagues

Both large and small businesses tend to have their corporate wellness programs designed and run by health-and-wellness social service agencies, insurance carriers and healthcare providers. Using the expert will ensure that the program is focused on meeting the particular wellness needs of the workforce and that the people who implement the program are qualified and experienced.

– Rig Riggins, the Y of Greater Pittsburgh, rriggins@ymcapgh.org

Business workshop is a weekly feature from local experts offering tidbits on matters affecting business.
First Published April 15, 2013 12:00 am