YMCA offers free access to new online programs
Stay healthy and connected with virtual resources from the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.
Photo courtesy of Pexels
By Janine Faust
Through YWithYou, the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh makes education, fitness, and community programs and services available online.
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s goal is to bring local communities together, but when everyone has to stay indoors, that gets a little harder.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, local YMCA branches are closed to members until stay-at-home orders are lifted and non-essential businesses are reopened. However, the organization is aiming to still support Pittsburghers through its new online initiative, YWithYou.
YWithYou is an online program separated into four categories; YLive, YAtHome, YWithFamilies, and YTogether. Virtual programs range from group workouts to reading circles for children. Pittsburghers can also access materials such as recipes and educational activities.
In the wake of school and work closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, YLive programs and materials can be freely accessed by the public until April 1. After this date, they will only be available to members. All other programs will remain free.
Through YLive, the YMCA’s Healthy Living staff will conduct virtual exercise classes, including cycling, yoga, youth sports training, and pilates. Small group training and weight loss challenge sessions will also be available. A weekly schedule with further information can be found here.
YAtHome also offers regularly updated workout videos and activities from Y instructors that users can access on their own time. Users can also access nutritious recipes and mindfulness materials like guided meditations.
YWithFamilies provides regularly updated activities and tools for families with children, including virtual story times and nutritious recipes. This section also includes links to family-friendly workout videos, crafting videos, and virtual “field trips” to museums.
YTogether highlights some of YMCA Pittsburgh’s community service initiatives and ways to support them. Pittsburghers are encouraged to sign up to make community calls checking in on senior members and financially vulnerable families or donate to its Covid relief fund. They can also purchase items for the low-income housing site at the Northside’s Allegheny YMCA via Amazon.
“The impact of COVID-19 has created an even greater need for our residents, as many jobs were lost due to required closures,” the Allegheny YMCA wrote. “We appreciate your support as we do our best to stay true to our mission during these unprecedented and uncertain times.”
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