2014 – Live Well Allegheny

25Oct, 2014

Spotlight on YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

Name of Organization:
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

Address/Location of organization:
Various locations throughout Pittsburgh
Association Office:
420 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Suite 625
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Mission of organization:
To put Christian Principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Finish this quote: “We are a LWA partner because we believe…”
In joining forces for the greater good and collectively creating the healthiest county in the country.

Finish this quote: “We know that the inability to pay for a health club membership is a potential barrier for Allegheny county residents getting physical activity”
Which is why we provide financial assistance and never turn anyone away.

What types of activities/resources are available through your organization?
From our family and adult YMCA memberships that include group exercise classes, gymnasiums, swimming pools and access to personal trainers and registered dietitians to our childcare, parent/child programs, youth sports, traditional and overnight camps, we truly have something for everyone.

Are the activities “good for the whole family?” or for “children ages — to —“, seniors? etc.
Everyone is welcome at the YMCA. We offer everything from infant swim lessons to senior group fitness classes. We have an evidence-based diabetes prevention program for adults and specialty camps for people with disabilities and illnesses.

What makes your organization unique? Do you offer a unique service or resource for county residents?
We offer a variety of social services including: residential housing, congregate meals, food pantries, urban gardens, tax preparation, healthcare enrollment support, job placement, family support, etc. Allegheny County residents receive a free 1-week trial pass. Go to www.ymcapgh.org and search Live Well Allegheny.

Do you have any words of wisdom to help others Live Well?
To live well, think of how you can strengthen the pillars of your healthy home. These pillars are: Eat Well, Sleep Well, Get Together, Go Outside and Play Everyday. A balanced lifestyle will honor each of these priorities without feeling like it’s too much work.

23Oct, 2014

Spotlight on Grow Pittsburgh

Name of Organization:
GROW PITTSBURGH

Address/Location of organization:
#2W, 6587 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 • (412) 362-4769

Mission of organization:
To teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods.

Finish this quote: “We are a Live Well Allegheny partner because we believe…”
… everyone should have the opportunity to grow and eat fresh and delicious produce.

What types of activities/resources are available through your organization?
We help establish and support community and school food gardens around the county and provide programming for people of all ages.

Are the activities “good for the whole family?” or for “children ages — to —“, seniors? etc.
Grow Pittsburgh activities are good for the whole family.

What makes your organization unique? Do you offer a unique service or resource for county residents?
We help to make it easy for residents to learn about where their food comes from and how they can grow their own food in order to live healthier and happier lives.

Do you have any words of wisdom to help others Live Well?
Try planting a seed and growing your own food. It’s easy and will bring lots of health and joy into your lives.

25Sep, 2014

Girls on the Run of Magee-Womens Hospital

Address/Location of organization:
3380 Blvd. of the Allies, Suite 315, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Meredith Colaizzi, Program Director • 412.641.1596 • [email protected]
GOTR Magee website

Mission of organization:
Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

Finish this quote: “We are a LWA partner because we believe…”
… Our goals, mission and core values align with LWA in efforts to educate and improve the health and well-being of the young girls in our area.

What types of activities/resources are available through your organization?
12 week wellness program which combines training for a 5K with lessons on making healthy choices.
Two seasons offered (Spring/Fall) and site locations/meeting days and times posted in August/January at www.gotrmagee.org/register/ OR
www.gotrmagee.org/5k for details on our GOTR 5K’s open to anyone in May and December (also refer to those sites for dates and details)

Are the activities “good for the whole family?”
Girls on the Run program is for 3rd-8th grade girls.
Girls on the Run 5K program is good for the whole family
Fee associated with activity is $20-$160 depending on family income. Scholarships are available upon application.

What makes your organization unique? Do you offer a unique service or resource for county residents?
Girls on the Run is the only program that exists of its kind as a non-competitive running program which also focuses on empowering girls with greater confidence and enhancing their physical, emotional, social and mental well-being.

Do you have any words of wisdom to help others Live Well?
“I learned that I could push myself and be better at whatever I want to do. The best part of Girls on the Run was what I accomplished and learned about myself”
~ Girls on the Run Participant

23Sep, 2014

Spotlight on Myofitness Pittsburgh

Name of Organization:
Myofitness Pittsburgh

Address/Location of organization:
1038 Shawnee Ridge Dr., Cheswick, PA 15024

Mission of organization:
To advocate that each individual achieve their fullest life potential in terms of well-being. We use a holistic approach focusing on physical activity, nutrition, lifestyle balance, mental wellness and core strength to create a wellness program as ever-changing as you.

Finish this quote: “We are a LWA partner because…”
It is the community that allows us to exist. If we are to succeed, both in business and in supporting wellness in our community, then we must partner and grow with our community.

What types of activities/resources are available through your organization?
From June through the end of July, we offer Free Fitness Saturday’s. As well, we offer free access to our comprehensive wellness portal for all Pittsburgh Public Schools, community based organizations and youth serving organizations in the Pittsburgh area. We partner closely with fitUnited of the United Way to battle childhood obesity.

Are the activities “good for the whole family?” or for “children ages — to —“, seniors? etc.
Our activities are good for the whole family.

What makes your organization unique? Do you offer a unique service or resource for county residents?
We believe that health and wellness is a uniquely human endeavor. Technology can support our efforts, but a human connection is essential to achieve our highest level of health and wellness. Therefore, we have the best technology AND the best people to support the health and wellness of our community.

Do you have any words of wisdom to help others Live Well?
It has been said many times before and we repeat it once more because of how strongly we believe in the principle: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

16Sep, 2014

Highmark Foundation

A Catalyst for Community Health

The Highmark Foundation is a charitable organization, a private foundation and an affiliate of Highmark Inc. that supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health. As a thought leader in public health and human service initiatives, the Foundation’s greatest success is uniting regional, national and global organizations with like missions to raise awareness and stimulate long-term and systemic change.

The Highmark Foundation serves the diverse communities served by Highmark Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. In addition, we serve the needs of individuals who live in more rural areas throughout these two states, where health care access and human services are limited or, sometimes, nonexistent.

Website: Highmark Foundation

25Jul, 2014

Spotlight on fitUnited

Name of Organization:
fitUnited Pittsburgh

Address/Location of organization:
Christine Grady
Program Director, fitUnited Pittsburgh
United Way of Allegheny County
1250 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Tel. 412-456-6830
Fax. (412) 394-5376
[email protected]

Mission of organization:
fitUnited Pittsburgh launched in 2012 as an exciting new initiative to improve the health of our children by mobilizing and motivating our community to provide increased opportunities for physical activity and healthier food options. United Way of Allegheny County and a diverse group of partnering organizations, corporations, and communities work toward this goal through evidence-based research and best practices in health, nutrition and fitness.

Finish this quote: “We are a LWA partner…”
because we firmly believe that in collaborating with other organizations in our community and leveraging one-another’s resources and strengths, we will have a positive impact on the health of children in Allegheny County.

What types of activities/resources are available through your organization?
Homewood Summer Snacks Program – a three-month pilot program providing Child Care Homes in underserved communities with fresh, healthy food for children. In the first month of the program we have delivered over 1,000 healthy meals and 2,000 healthy snacks to children in the underserved community of Homewood, classified as a ‘Food Desert’.

Walk to Win – over 700 elementary school children participated in a walking challenge, with classes and schools competing against one-another to see who could accrue the most steps.

Shop’n Save – a program to ensure the newly opened Shop’n Save in the Hill District of Pittsburgh (previously classified as a Food Desert for 30 years) promotes healthy and affordable foods in the store.

Learning Opportunities for Partners –

Partner Forums: Guest speakers have included Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department; Chef Stephanie Gelberd from the Café at Phipps; and Kristin Hughes, Founder of Fitwits and Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon School of Design.
Lunch & Learn Events: These events have a more specific focus. Topics have included “The Basics of Pediatric Weight Management” presented by Dr. Dana Rofey of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and “Uncovering Effective Wellness Strategies for Small Employers” presented by Jamey Bednez, Director of Corporate Wellness at Babb Inc.
Communications – In addition we keep Partners informed through the following:
· Website with resources for workplace wellness and wellness at home
· Weekly Pinterest tips for families
· Newsletters
· Daily twitter hints and tips

Are the activities “good for the whole family?” or for “children ages — to —“, seniors? etc.
For events and activities aimed at youth, a suggested age will be specified as well as whether the whole family is invited to participate. Activities are generally free or at minimal cost. The location for activities and events varies. The best way to keep informed is to check the fitUnited website and/or subscribe to our newsletter.

What makes your organization unique? Do you offer a unique service or resource for county residents?
fitUnited has over 300 Partners across Allegheny County, each of whom have made a three-year commitment to achieve family wellness, workplace wellness and support youth-serving agencies in Allegheny County. We ask our partners to
1.  Learn about best practices:
2.  Volunteer with community agencies serving children ages 0-12
3.  Share and join in collaborative efforts with other partners
4.  Advocate for a healthier workplace

Do you have any words of wisdom to help others Live Well?
“By using research based, proven programs and best practices in children’s nutrition and physical activity, we’re confident that participation will lead to changes in behavior. We recognize that caring adults—parents, guardians, adult relatives, teachers and pediatricians—need to be a part of the solution in creating healthy habits for children. It is through them that this program will make a meaningful—and measurable—impact on this epidemic in our region.”
– Bob Nelkin, President & Chief Professional Officer, United Way of Allegheny County

29Apr, 2014

Walk Pittsburgh

Our Mission:

To make Pittsburgh one of America’s most walkable cities.

Our Values:

WalkPittsburgh.org provides resources and support to encourage walking as a viable commuting option, improve pedestrian safety, communicate the health and economic benefits of walking, and ensure that walkability is factored into transportation and development plans.

Walk With Us!

Do you want to improve air quality and reduce congestion in Allegheny County? Are you looking for a fun and innovative way to get healthier while walking? Join us in this new initiative to help make Pittsburgh one of “America’s Most Walkable Cities”!

Your steps will be automatically uploaded from the Mobile App to the WalkPittsburgh website to get a grand total of steps taken by all participants.

Start by getting some extra steps in during your day with these simple tips:

For errands, instead of driving walk to the convenience store, grocery store, post office…etc.
Take a walking break from the computer while at work or at home
Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Park your car a little farther away and walk the extra distance
Get off the bus a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way
Take a walk during mornings or evenings at home or during a lunch break

Website: Walk Pittsburgh

29Apr, 2014

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Pittsburgh Public Schools offers a wide variety of educational options and offerings for our diverse student body. We aim to provide options that not only match our students’ passions and unique needs, but also help to prepare them for the real word through diverse experiences.

As the largest of 43 school districts in Allegheny County and second largest in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Public Schools serves approximately 25,000 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 in 54 schools. In addition, Early Childhood programs serve 1,614 three and four year-olds in classrooms across the city.

We believe that every child—at every level of academic performance—can achieve excellence. To help our students get there, we are committed to continually improving performance at every level of the District. By doing so, we will help prepare our students to take maximum advantage of The Pittsburgh Promise® scholarship, and we will better prepare our District to thrive in an era of unprecedented competition.

At Pittsburgh Public Schools, we have all the right ingredients to help us tackle urban public education problems and to help our children succeed in a world where it’s increasingly important to have more than a high school diploma.

Website: Pittsburgh Public Schools

29Apr, 2014

Adagio Health

28Apr, 2014

YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh provides programs to promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility

Today, the Y engages more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the U.S. As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, our contributions are both far-reaching and intimate—from influencing our nation’s culture during times of profound social change to the individual support we provide an adult learning to read.

Supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure.

Website: YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

Yearly Archives: 2014

A Catalyst for Community Health

Our Mission:

Our Values:

Walk With Us!

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh provides programs to promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility