LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
In 2013, our YMCA partnered with the LIVESTRONG® Foundation to help cancer survivors begin the journey toward recovery. With this program, we provide adult cancer survivors with a safe, supportive environment where they can participate in physical and social activities that focus on strengthening the whole person.
While COVID put a pause on our programming, we brought back LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA at three branches. Over 30 participants met twice a week to reduce fatigue, boost selfesteem, and improve muscle strength and physical endurance following cancer treatment. We worked to create a community of support beyond the physical walls of the Y as our participants navigate life as cancer survivors.
Soccer Program
The CDYMCA works closely with the Refugee Welcome Center and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to provide programming to refugees
and immigrants in our community including yoga, swim classes, wellness programming, and camp. We have partnerships with Sage College and the Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc. to provide more services across the Capital Region.
In the fall of 2022, we launched a soccer program at Bleecker Stadium in Albany for refugee and immigrant children to help learn English, in addition to team- building and communication skills. We worked closely with the Salvation Army to identify refugee families who were experiencing food insecurity and worked with our volunteers for weekly food drop- offs for these families. We hosted weekly ESL classes at our Healthy Living Center for immigrants from around the world, including Korea, Congo, and Syria.