Rye Y Launches Innovative Teen Programs
Rye Y Launches Innovative Teen Programs
Rye, NY (October 1, 2009) This fall the Rye YMCA is launching two new programs for teens: the D.R.E.A.M. program for 
middle school aged girls and Y Global Teens for high school students.
The D.R.E.A.M. program (Diversity, Right nutrition, Exercise, Activity and Mobility) is designed for girls in grades 6 to 8. A team effort led by Danielle Ybarra, Teen Coordinator, and Diana Vita, Associate Health & Fitness Director, the program focuses on various topics and activities related to overall well-being and self-esteem. Each class features an exercise like walking, a step class or yoga followed by a discussion of nutritional choices, pop culture and other issues facing adolescent females. The class is held Fridays from 3:30-4:30 pm and is free to members. For more information, please contact Danielle Ybarra at 967-6363, ext. 152.
Y Global Teens, designed for students in grades 9-12, promotes a global perspective and international awareness. The program, in conjunction with YMCA International, aims to increase cultural competency and develop leadership, independence and cooperation among its participants. “Our first step will be to choose a community in a host country,” said Lou Caratelli, Teen Outreach Director. “We’ll develop several activities and projects related to the needs of that community.”
Participating teens will have a chance to make a difference both locally and in another part of the world. During the summer, teens travel to a host country and participate in community service projects. Locally, the teens engage in projects that often mirror their community service project in the host country. For example, a NYC Global Teens Peru Group painted and plastered single room occupancy residences in Harlem prior to their planned summer trip to Peru. The Hong Kong Group, also in New York City, held a Youth Open Mike Performance in Chinatown to promote awareness of global human rights.
The Rye YMCA will hold two information sessions about the program for parents and teens: Wednesday, October 21 and Wednesday, November 4 at 7 pm at the Rye YMCA. Please RSVP to Lou Caratelli at 967-6363, ext. 301. For more information about Teen programming at the Y, please visit www.ryeymca.org and click on the Teens tab.
