The Gateway Family YMCA Among Local Healthy U Champions to Take the Field at MetLife Stadium

Union, NJ, April 23, 2014 --(PR.com)-- More than 140 Healthy U champions from across New Jersey, including YMCA staff, school teachers, school administrators, and community supporters, gathered recently at MetLife Stadium for a spring celebration of the Healthy U program. The event showcased on-the-field demonstrations of Healthy U activities, shared best practices, and featured keynote speakers Steven M. Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City and Dr. Glenn Pomerantz, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Krystal Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA stated, “This was recognition for all the work NJ Y's have done with the Healthy U program and its goal of reducing childhood obesity. The Gateway Family YMCA is proud to be a part of such an impressive program, making a difference throughout the state.”

Healthy U is a statewide youth obesity prevention initiative that promotes nutrition education, physical activity and family engagement. Nearly 40,000 children in New Jersey ages 3 to 13 have been impacted by this program implemented at 485 Y sites and in 25 public elementary schools. The program is made possible through a collaborative partnership between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. The Gateway Family YMCA offers the Healthy U program in all Y preschool and school-age programs and works closely with school teachers and administrators to implement Healthy U in participating local elementary schools.

Alane McCahey, Senior Director of Community Initiatives stated, “The guest speakers from the NJ Alliance of CEO, the Horizon Foundation of NJ, the Wyckoff Preschool Staff and the Mayor of Jersey City all provided inspiring stories of the Y's work with Healthy U.” Mike Johnson added, “We are proud of our Y’s participation in the Healthy U Partnership. Plus, we all had the opportunity to play on the field of Met Life Stadium!”

For more information The Gateway Family YMCA, please visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Elizabeth Branch at elizabethinfo@tgfymca.org 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch at fivepointsinfo@tgfymca.org 908-688-9622, Rahway Branch at rahwayinfo@tgfymca.org 908-388-0057, or the Wellness Center Branch at wellnessinfo@tgfymca.org 908-349-9622.