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The Rye YMCA is the proud winner of the 2007 Distinguished Public Health Service Award, granted by the Westchester County Board of Health, for its Activate America initiatives in the Sound Shore community.

Activate America

Activate America is a nationwide movement initiated by the YMCA of the USA in response to the ountry’s growing obesity crisis. Because no one organization can solve an issue of this magnitude alone, the YMCA has joined forces with national and local organizations committed to advancing community health. In partnership with local civic leaders, the Rye YMCA is working to enhance the health and quality of life that make our community so vital.

Our dedicated coalition members include local mayors, town recreation superintendents, school officials, local health organizations, hospitals, and media. Since 2005, the Rye Y and its coalition of community partners have focused its Activate America initiatives on two primary goals:

• Promote healthy eating and physical activity habits among school children and their families

• Create or improve public spaces to encourage physical activity
  

One major accomplishment of the coalition is its 2006 Building Healthier Communities conference which stimulated the implementation of the project known as the “Boston Post Road Diet.”  In narrowing the 4 lane road down to two, residents can now enjoy safer driving conditions along with increased biking and walking opportunities

Additional examples of our current Activate America initiatives include:

• Safe Routes to School: nationwide program encouraging safe walking/biking to promote physical activity and decrease health risks associated with automobile traffic. Click here for more details.
• Edible School Gardens. Click here for more details.
• America on the Move Week: Annual Fall program to promote physical activity in fun, easy, and measurable ways. Click here for more details.
• School wellness grants program:  Since 2006, the Rye Y has provided over $30,000 in school wellness grants to fund innovative health and wellness programs across 3 school districts. Because the schools implement these programs right at the schools, the Y has had a direct impact on children’s health and wellness.

• Fit Kids: Westchester County Department of Health initiative that works with schools to assist in creating an environment that promotes healthy eating and physical activity. View Dept. of Health Fit Kids website
• Healthy Kids Day: annual Spring event featuring programs and activities designed to promote healthy habits for kids.
• School Recess Program: YMCA staffed recess program held at schools featuring basic sports instruction and fun game playing.