KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The community will have the opportunity to take charge of their health at the 8th Street Family YMCA’s annual health fair Saturday, November 15, at the 8th Street Y, 900 N. 8th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101.
Free kidney screenings, flu shots, weight and body mass index readings will be available, thanks to valuable support from the National Kidney Foundation and Walgreens. In addition, general health and nutrition information will be available.
For November’s Diabetes Month, the National Kidney Foundation’s KEEP Healthy (Kidney Early Evaluation Program) will offer approximately 100 free kidney screenings at the health fair for those at risk for kidney disease. Diabetes is a major risk factor for kidney disease.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 30 percent of patients with Type 1 (juvenile onset) diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure.
For the screening, participants will answer a brief health-risk survey and have their height, weight and blood pressure measured. Educational materials about the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, which afflicts one in three Americans, will also be provided.
During the health fair, families can also receive free flu shots through Walgreens. The Y will have 50 flu shot vouchers available for those that qualify. Those who do not have insurance will not qualify for a free vaccination but can still get one at the event using their insurance card.
YMCA representatives and other health professionals will have body mass index readings and will provide health and nutrition information and tips to lead a more healthy and active lifestyle.
Sandra Cvitanic Barrientos, nutritionist at the 8th Street YMCA, said this effort goes along with the multiple health and wellness initiatives the Y offers individuals and families, such as exercise, recreational activities for the entire family, and healthy cooking and nutrition classes.
What: Health Fair including kidney screenings, flu shots, body mass index readings, health and nutrition information and tips.
When: Saturday, November 15, 2014. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Kidney screenings from 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: 8th Street Family YMCA, 900 N. 8th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101.
Cost: Free for all those who qualify.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
YMCA: No cost to renew membership at 8th Street branch
With the possibility of the Downtown YMCA closing in April, some customers canceled their memberships.
However, after the Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted to provide funding to the Downtown 8th Street YMCA Branch, the branch remained open.
For those customers who canceled their memberships, there will be no cost to renew them.
Here's a note from the Save the 8th Street YMCA Facebook page:
However, after the Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted to provide funding to the Downtown 8th Street YMCA Branch, the branch remained open.
For those customers who canceled their memberships, there will be no cost to renew them.
Here's a note from the Save the 8th Street YMCA Facebook page:
If you have not rejoined the YMCA, do so immediately. Do not let the efforts of the UG go to waste. If you deactivated your membership, there is no fee or payment necessary to reactivate. They have a form at the front desk and you can fill it out and you are ready to go. Please contact the front desk and reactivate your membership.
Friday, April 5, 2013
More information on UG, YMCA deal
Here's more information on the deal between the Unified Government and YMCA, courtesy of the YMCA:
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, approved a proposal that will keep the 8th Street Family YMCA open for up to a year.
The plan approved at the commissioners meeting tonight was approved by the YMCA of Greater Kansas City Board of Directors earlier today. Under the plan, the Unified Government will pay $10,000 a month for operational expenses and $2,500 a month to a capital maintenance account to support the 8th Street Family YMCA, with a maximum investment of $100,000 for 2013.
This will keep the Y open by addressing the ongoing operational deficit and deferred maintenance challenges that had forced the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to announce in March that the 8th Street Family YMCA would close on April 12.
The Unified Government funding in 2014 is subject to approval in August with the adoption of the 2014 Unified Government budget. According to the agreement, if the $12,500 monthly appropriations are not approved for the 2014 budget, the 8th Street Family YMCA may end operations on August 12.
However, both parties remain committed to identifying long-term opportunities to continue services in Kansas City, Kan.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
UG approves agreement to keep downtown YMCA open for a year
By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
Less than a month after it was announced that the 8th Street YMCA would close on April 12, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners tonight voted to keep the facility open for a year.
Under an agreement between the UG and the YMCA, the UG will provide funding to keep the downtown branch open for one full year.
According to the UG agenda, up to $10,000 a month will be paid to the YMCA in order to pay costs associated with keeping the building in operation.
"We have a one-year agreement in place to allow the Unified Government and YMCA to look for a long term solution," said Dennis Hays, county administrator.
In a statement tonight, the YMCA said they would work with the UG to find a long-term solution to keep the 8th Street YMCA open for the foreseeable future.
"We are grateful to the Unified Government for their financial investment so that together we can continue to serve the Kansas City, Kan., community," said YMCA of Greater Kansas City President David Byrd. "It is our hope and intent to work with the Unified Government toward a long-term solution."
The UG Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on the proposal.
Less than a month after it was announced that the 8th Street YMCA would close on April 12, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners tonight voted to keep the facility open for a year.
Under an agreement between the UG and the YMCA, the UG will provide funding to keep the downtown branch open for one full year.
According to the UG agenda, up to $10,000 a month will be paid to the YMCA in order to pay costs associated with keeping the building in operation.
"We have a one-year agreement in place to allow the Unified Government and YMCA to look for a long term solution," said Dennis Hays, county administrator.
In a statement tonight, the YMCA said they would work with the UG to find a long-term solution to keep the 8th Street YMCA open for the foreseeable future.
"We are grateful to the Unified Government for their financial investment so that together we can continue to serve the Kansas City, Kan., community," said YMCA of Greater Kansas City President David Byrd. "It is our hope and intent to work with the Unified Government toward a long-term solution."
The UG Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on the proposal.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Downtown YMCA proposal on UG agenda for Thursday
By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
The Unified Government Board of Commissioners will consider a proposal that would keep the YMCA facility on 8th Street open for at least six more months.
Under a proposed agreement, the UG would pay $60,000 (or $10,000 a month) for six months. An option to extend the open period an additional six months will be considered down the road by the UG.
The agreement allows for the status quo to exist - the current hours would remain, along with the staffing at the YMCA.
Funding to keep the YMCA open would potentially come from casino revenue generated by the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.
Here are the highlights of the proposal, according to the UG agenda:
The Unified Government Board of Commissioners will consider a proposal that would keep the YMCA facility on 8th Street open for at least six more months.
Under a proposed agreement, the UG would pay $60,000 (or $10,000 a month) for six months. An option to extend the open period an additional six months will be considered down the road by the UG.
The agreement allows for the status quo to exist - the current hours would remain, along with the staffing at the YMCA.
Funding to keep the YMCA open would potentially come from casino revenue generated by the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.
Here are the highlights of the proposal, according to the UG agenda:
The YMCA will keep the 8th Street facility open and operational for the next six (6) month period with an option to extend the open period for an additional six months at the discretion of the UG
• Forty-five (45) days notice will be given by the UG before the end of the first six month period
• Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000) per month for the first six month period
• Status quo will be maintained including staff, maintenance to the building and equipment, hours of operation, and community based programming
Additional Items Requested
• The YMCA will provide the UG with any and all documentation or evaluations regarding the building conditions or inspections at the 8th Street facility
• The YMCA will provide the UG a membership roster with contact information of all current members of the 8th Street YMCA as of March 1, 2013.
• No rejoining fee for any prior YMCA member who allowed their membership to lapse within the last 60 days.
• Discount for UG employees during second six month period if applicable
Friday, March 8, 2013
Grassroots effort launched on Facebook to save 8th Street YMCA
The 8th Street YMCA in downtown Kansas City, Kan., is set to close on April 12.
However, KCK residents and other users of the 8th Street YMCA are not going out without a fight.
A Facebook page called the "Save the 8th Street YMCA" was launched today. So far, just over 30 people have "liked" the page.
"Our beloved 8th Street YMCA in downtown KCK is being closed," a statement reads on the page. "This branch of the YMCA that serves the all ages and races in our community is no longer an important part of the YMCA mission. Please join the cause to save the 8th Street YMCA."
(Note: I'm still trying to get more information about why the YMCA is closing. I'll update this post with information as I get it.)
However, KCK residents and other users of the 8th Street YMCA are not going out without a fight.
A Facebook page called the "Save the 8th Street YMCA" was launched today. So far, just over 30 people have "liked" the page.
"Our beloved 8th Street YMCA in downtown KCK is being closed," a statement reads on the page. "This branch of the YMCA that serves the all ages and races in our community is no longer an important part of the YMCA mission. Please join the cause to save the 8th Street YMCA."
(Note: I'm still trying to get more information about why the YMCA is closing. I'll update this post with information as I get it.)
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