Outreach
Putnam Y Gives back
At Putnam Y, we are very passionate about investing back into local communities. Whether it is teaching water safety or empowering students to succeed in education, our programs go beyond just promoting physical health. We also promote the successful futures of the next generations.
Check out our different outreach programs below!
YMCA Cancer Recovery Program
Part of the Y’s commitment to strengthening community through healthy living, the Cancer Recovery Programs offers adults affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person, not the disease. Cancer diagnosis and treatment can take a tremendous toll on the spirit, mind, and body. When survivors are ready to begin the healing and recovery process, the YMCA is here to help.
Our YMCA Cancer Recovery Program is a free outreach program that provides comprehensive nutrition, exercise, and wellness services designed to help maximize quality of life and minimize side effects cancer treatments can cause. Anyone currently undergoing treatment or that have received treatment in the past 5 years, are eligible to participate in this program. A special group in our program, called GO PINK, welcomes all women that have ever been diagnosed by breast cancer at any point in their life. All program participants learn about healthy eating, resume or begin a regular exercise program that is right for them, and form a healing community in small group discussions led by a trained facilitator.
Program highlights:
- Free 6 months YMCA Membership
- Lymphedema Education/Screening with a Lymphedema Specialist
- Personal Training Sessions with a Pink Ribbon™ Certified Trainer/ACE
Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist - Nutrition Consultation Session with a Nutrition Counselor
- Weekly Group Exercise Classes
- RESTORE Ministries Discussion Groups
- Encouragement and Support from Survivors and Staff
Participants will focus on activities that build strength and endurance, increase flexibility and range of motion, improve confidence and self-esteem, teach about wellness and stress reduction techniques, and how to continue healthful habits after the program has ended. Most importantly, our program encourages a warm spirit of community—a safe, inviting place to build relationships with other survivors and caring staff members.
The YMCA Cancer Recovery Staff have been specially trained and certified to work with cancer survivors and patients following American College of Sports Medicine and American Cancer Society exercise guidelines. Our Cancer Recovery Staff are exercise experts who can understand their unique concerns and help address them safely.
To get started or ask questions, please contact
Jenny Thacker at
931.528.1133 or jenny@pcfymca.org.
YMCA Open Door Program
At the Y, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive, regardless of their financial circumstances. That’s why our Open Doors charitable assistance program each year provides financial help to allow families or individuals belong to the Y and participate in its life-changing programs and services. Open Doors offers financial assistance for membership on a sliding scale based on your household’s income. Individuals with a special circumstance, such as a job loss or other financial challenge, are also encouraged to apply for assistance.
For more information about the program or to apply,
please stop by the Y. We are happy to discuss options with you!
YMCA Learn to swim program
We believe no child should drown because they never learned to swim. That’s why the YMCA Learn to Swim program partners with area schools to provide second graders with life-saving water instruction at no cost to their families. Each year, every second grade child in Putnam County receives 6 free swim lessons through the YMCA Learn to Swim Program.
DID YOU KNOW?
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 14. Participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children age 1 to 6. The Putnam County YMCA LTS program has graduated almost 19,000 children to date!
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING?
- Swimsuit
- A plastic bag for all personal items such as: underwear, towels, comb, hair ties etc. Please make sure bag and all personal items are marked with the child’s name.
- Towel
- If your child needs goggles, ear or nose plugs, please send them with the child.
Please reassure your child that s/he will not be made to do anything they do not wish to try. We will encourage participation, but we will not coerce or embarrass them in any way. The children are grouped according to their skill level and/or comfort level. We want the children to feel safe and comfortable while they are at the Y.
