Julie

Posted on: Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Read Margaret’s Story

LEARN ABOUT MARGARET’S SUCCESS WITH THE YMCA’S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM:

“The guidance and accountability I receive from the Hockomock Area YMCA through the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is amazing. This is a great opportunity to join a structured, proven program. February 2017 was the kickoff of our program in collaboration with the Foxborough Council on Aging and we are nearing the end of the program’s yearlong commitment.

The program’s weight loss focus is counting fat grams. This approach turned out to be very powerful and successful for me. The results for me thus far has been losing 7% of my weight as well as fat loss and inches off my body. My blood pressure rating is now 122. I now own skinny jeans! I have a laugh about it but it was such a marker in my weight loss journey. It’s very clear you can make better choices and you have to focus on it. You also have to focus on moving.

My weight is much more enjoyable for me. When I get up every day, I’m going off into the world in simply my best shape. That is significant. I’m better prepared to face anything and I’m able to enjoy my life more fully.”

– Margaret Stark, YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program participant

Margaret participated in our YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program at the Foxborough Senior Center.

READ VICKI LOWE’S THOUGHTS ON THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR YMCA AND HER ORGANIZATION IN OUR COMMUNITY:

“We chose to pilot the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program at our Foxborough Council on Aging in November 2016. A key to the program’s success was partnering with the Hockomock Y’s outreach efforts to host the program here. There’s a comfort level for seniors here and a convenience to participate in the program while seniors are already at the Senior Center – whether taking an exercise class or a music or arts program.

We have a long-standing relationship with the YMCA that has garnered the seniors to have a high level of confidence in the Y certified instructors. Participants were receptive to this year-long program because of the trust in the Y. We had people committed to this program and to living healthier lifestyles. I was pleased that the group experienced more than double the weight loss predicted for this program.”

– Vicki Lowe LSW, CD Executive Director, Council on Aging & Human Services, Foxborough, MA

The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent and by as much as 71 percent in those over age 60.

LEARN MORE about our program and register with us. You may also call Donna Higgins at 508-772-1310 or phl@hockymca.org.

Posted on: Thursday, November 2nd, 2017

Matthew Slater Announced as Legends Ball Honoree

We are proud to honor Matthew Slater as the recipient of the 2017 Legends Ball Award at our 12th annual Legends Ball.

The announcement was made at our Invensys Foxboro Branch Kraft Family Center in the Marilyn Rodman Youth & Teen Leadership Center on November 7th. Matthew Slater is being recognized for his commitment and dedication to our Integration Initiative. Past Legends Award Recipients Rob Ninkovich, Devin McCourty and Steve Grogan made the special announcement acknowledging how deserving of an award this is to Matthew for his commitment on and off the field in the community. Slater is the New England Patriots’ special teams captain and wide receiver and a Super Bowl Champion.

Teammate Devin McCourty, and our Y’s 2015 Legends Ball Honoree, noted about Matthew, ““Ever since I got here in 2010, Matthew he has been a huge leader in and out of the locker room.”

Rob Ninkovich, our 2016 Legends Ball honoree, shared about his former teammate, “I couldn’t think of a better guy more deserving than Matt. He is a special person I have become really close friends with through the years. We went through many battles together and I have so much respect for him because of the man that he is and the life that he leads. The way Matt goes about every day is something I admire. I’m honored to introduce my friend, a great teammate, a great man, a great husband, a great father, Matt Slater.”

At this announcement, Matthew Slater was surrounded by members of the Integration Initiative including the Flag Football Team as well as the VIP Club (Volunteerism through Inclusive Partnerships). Matthew received a signed football from those participants in attendance and celebrated with him on this honor.

Matthew Slater addressed the participants and families saying, “The great thing about this program – and I hope all of us understand this – we live in society today where we are technically connected more than we have ever been with social media and news.” Slater continues, “I think what we fail to do is invest in the relational aspect of things and that’s something we are really missing out on. I hope we continue to understand how important it is to connect with people, to build relationships, and just love one another. This is something I truly believe in and that’s something I’ve seen modeled here at the Hockomock Area YMCA ever since I got to New England.”

Each year, the Hockomock Area YMCA hosts a gala known as the Legends Ball. Proceeds from the Legends Ball benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Integration Initiative, established in 2004, which provides opportunities for children, teens and young adults with special needs and their families to participate in YMCA programs and activities alongside their typically-developing peers.

Learn more about this year’s Legends Ball which will take place on November 28, 2017 at Lake Pearl in Wrentham, MA.

Posted on: Wednesday, November 1st, 2017

November is Diabetes Prevention Month

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk.

Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Risk for developing type 2 diabetes may be reduced or eliminated by weight loss, healthier eating and increased physical activity. More than 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk of developing diabetes.

Prediabetes may be reversible; diabetes has no cure. Fortunately, our Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and to reduce their risk for developing the disease. This 1-year program, consists of 24 sessions, providing a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group with certified YMCA instructors to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity.

READ RUTH’S STORY:

“I had spent my entire life dieting. I’d lose 100+ pounds, 10 different times and regain it. My doctor shared with me a trifold with health management programs available at the Hockomock Area YMCA. My A1C was high and I agreed with my doctor to look into the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program.

I was very resistant about the program at first. How could just counting fat grams get me the results I was looking for? I started working the program and saw great results. This program provides accountability – I met weekly with my trainer Donna who helped me so much. For me, the accountability to meet with Donna and share my food and physical activity journal kept me on track.

It’s been 8 months since I graduated from the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. The program has truly transformed my life! I continue to count daily fat grams and I make sure to get in my walk early each day. I’ve lost 115 pounds. My blood pressure and cholesterol are down and I’m no longer pre-diabetic.”

– Ruth Frazier, YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Graduate

JOIN US! NEW CLASSES BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER

North Attleboro Y: begins Wednesday 11/8 at 1:00pm

Franklin Y: begins Wednesday 11/8 at 6:30pm

Not sure if this is for you?

There is a great tool for prediabetes and type 2 risk assessment at YMCA.net/diabetes. Risk factors include: race, age, weight and activity level. A diabetes screening can also be conducted by your physician.

If you are at risk for diabetes, our YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (YDPP) is designed to help reduce that risk. The Program uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions and three sessions every other week during the first six months followed by 6 monthly sessions in the second six months. A trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes.

YDPP resulted from a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which showed how healthier eating, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight could lead to better health in participants and an overall reduction of new type 2 diabetes cases.

The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent and by as much as 71 percent in those over age 60.

For other patients diagnosed with prediabetes, finnanical assistance is available. Please call Donna Higgins at 508-772-1310 or phl@hockymca.org with any questions. You may also wish to contact your medical provider for a referral.

Posted on: Monday, August 7th, 2017

Andrea Ambs bestowed 2017 Legacy of Caring Award

Every year at Lake Pearl in Wrentham, the Hockomock Area YMCA holds its annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon to recognize valued employees who have worked at the YMCA for 10 years or more. 129 staff members were celebrated at this year’s luncheon, the group representing 1,887 years of unwavering dedication to the Y. One of those honored employees was Andrea Ambs, who was accorded the Marge Kraskouskas Legacy of Caring Award.

An Invensys Foxboro Branch and North Attleboro Branch fitness trainer for ten years, Andrea is an integral part of wellness programs including LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, diabetes prevention, and group exercise classes.

The award, named for former Hockomock Area YMCA Human Resources Vice President Marge Kraskouskas, recognizes a staff member for unyielding passion and commitment to the mission and values of the Y.

Hockomock Area YMCA President Ed Hurley presented Ambs with the award, remarking that “there are so many things that Andrea has done, and every time I see her the compassion, the passion, and the smile is always there. And I can’t tell you how excited I am to recognize someone who has had a huge impact on our YMCA, on the folks that she works with every day, and on inspiring me.”

Upon receiving the award, Andrea, a Foxboro resident, humbly expressed her surprise. “This is very unexpected, so thank you,” said Ambs. “I feel like I work with all of you who do so much more to deserve this than I do.”

At last year’s event, the Legacy of Caring Award was given to George Johnson Jr. and in 2015, the award was given to Ann Maitland.

BERNON FAMILY BRANCH	45 Forge Hill Road Franklin, MA 02038	508.528.8708
INVENSYS FOXBORO BRANCH	67 Mechanic Street Foxboro, MA 02035	508.543.2523
HURLEY FAMILY BRANCH	300 Elmwood Street North Attleboro, MA 02760	508.695.7001
MANSFIELD ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER	40 Balcom Street Mansfield, MA 02048	508.339.3066