Above/ The YMCA of Metro Chicago launches Y on the Go, aimed to serve families during the COVID-19 shutdown and beyond. Naperville is served by two YMCA facilities. One is located just beyond the Century Walk sculpture, “Y.M.C.A.,” at 95th Street. For a little exercise, perhaps sign along with “Y.M.C.A.”, a song made famous in 1978 by the American disco group Village People. Note, all YMCA locations are temporarily closed.
Chicago, IL – The YMCA of Metro Chicago launched a new online resource today (March 21, 2020) to help individuals stay active and healthy, and young minds learning and inspired as residents learn to manage social distancing. Y on the Go is a collection of on-demand videos designed to bring the Y experience directly to the consumer when a visit to the local Y is not possible. The tutorials are packed with family activities and fitness classes led by the Y’s very own instructors and education facilitators.
“During this time of uncertainty, the Y is here for families as we have always been to ensure they remain engaged and connected to the Y experience. Everyone is adapting to a new way of life – a new way of working and schooling – all within the limits of home. Y on the Go offers resources for the community to keep their bodies and their children’s minds, active and healthy while our centers are temporarily closed and beyond,” said Richard Malone, President and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
All Y locations closed temporarily through March 30
On Monday, March 16, the Y announced it had made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily cease operations at all of its locations to help the community contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The closure is in effect until Monday, March 30. The Association’s leadership continues to monitor the evolving national emergency, and be guided by the advice of public health authorities.
With so many homebound families, the Y has rapidly refocused its efforts on serving families remotely. The Y on the Go videos encompass many of the services that the Y is known for and can be conveniently incorporated into the new normal day at home. In addition to fitness workouts such as yoga, barre, and boot camp, parents have access to arts and crafts tutorials and educational content so that children can continue learning even when schools are closed. The schoolwork material has been adapted from the Y’s robust camp curriculum, developed throughout the year by Y education experts.
“Everyone is a little stressed out and confused about what’s coming next. If the Y can help to remove one stress point, we’ve done our job. Y on the Go provides an option for parents to keep the family active and engaged with the Y instructors they know and trust. We want to encourage people to stay connected with their community and watch out for each other,” added Malone.
Watch Y on the Go and learn together as a family at Yonthego.org
Y on the Go is available at Yonthego.org. The Association advises residents to check back regularly as new content is being developed and posted daily.
About the YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
In Naperville, Kroehler YMCA and Fry Family YMCA are members of the YMCA of Metro Chicago.
The YMCA of Metro Chicago is an association of 17 Y centers, five overnight camps, and dozens of extension sites located in the city and across the suburbs. We serve more than 200,000 members annually and help children, families, and communities learn, grow, and thrive through programs that promote academic readiness, character development, violence prevention, and fitness and healthy living. Our impact is felt every day when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good. Learn about how the Y is working for a better us at ymcachicago.org.
Kroehler Family YMCA
34 S. Washington St.,
Naperville, IL, 60540
(630) 420-6270
ymcachicago.org/kroehler
Fry Family YMCA
2120 W. 95th St.,
Naperville, IL, 60564
(630) 904-9595
ymcachicago.org/fry
Submitted by Man-Yee Lee for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
