Mary Van Ellis, the spouse of a military Veteran, and retired US Marine Linda Filoon met in the YMCA Veterans Wellness Pathway program in 2023, and they became instant friends. River Crossing YMCA is launching three free community Pathway programs at the Allentown branch in September: the Veterans Wellness Pathway program for military Veterans and their partners, Healthy Horizons for those in the mental health recovery process, and Healthy Lifestyles, an exercise and nutrition program for those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)

 

ALLENTOWN – River Crossing YMCA (formerly Greater Valley YMCA and YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties) is launching its first free community Pathway programs in YMCA branches across the Lehigh Valley. Pathway programs, which are 100% donor-supported, are free to participants and open to the community, with no membership required to enroll.

The Y also announced the re-launch of the 7th Grade Initiative, which provides free membership to seventh graders at the Bethlehem, Nazareth and Easton branches along with the Suburban North branch in Catasauqua and Slate Belt branch in Pen Argyl.

Registration is currently open for the Veterans Wellness Pathway program for military veterans and their partners, Healthy Horizons Pathway program for those in the mental health recovery process, and Healthy Lifestyles, a Pathway program for those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. All three Pathway programs begin at the Allentown branch Sept. 23, last for 12 weeks, and are open to the entire community. The programs include weekly in-person classes, group and personal training, and virtual meetings to share progress and learn mindfulness and healthy nutrition specific to the needs of the group. Participants receive a free 12-week membership to the Y, and Healthy Lifestyles and Veterans Wellness graduates receive an additional three or six month membership, respectively, upon completion of the program.

“With the Allentown wellness center and fitness studios open and thriving, we can provide these important, free Pathway programs to the Lehigh Valley community,” explained Trish Feinthel, chief operations officer of River Crossing YMCA. “These are only the first of a large group of free community impact programs we intend to offer throughout the Lehigh Valley. In Bucks County, PA and Hunterdon County in NJ, the Veterans Wellness, Healthy Horizons and Healthy Lifestyles Pathway programs have had a significantly positive impact on over 1,000 participants. We wanted to make that a priority for the Lehigh Valley community the first chance we got.”

As of the end of 2023, the River Crossing YMCA Veterans Wellness, Healthy Horizons and Healthy Lifestyles Pathway programs have graduated over 1,500 participants, with all graduates reporting positive, if not life-changing results in their health and wellness.

“We learned about balance, nutrition, mental health…and watched our body fat decrease and muscle mass increase,” said Linda Filoon, a recent graduate of the Veterans Wellness Pathway program in Warminster. “It was a game changer, and I made a forever friend.”

To inquire more about these and other YMCA Pathway programs, readers are encouraged to submit this google form (docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYm5jReFQPxL8W5_5jccKS9hPmse7tDOEXg5QwGlUJBXzOMw/viewform).

The Y’s 7th Grade Initiative Pathway program, a free health and wellness membership for seventh graders, relaunches at Lehigh Valley branches for the first time since the pandemic, and is also open for registration via the River Crossing Y’s 7th Grade Membership webpage: https://www.ymcabhc.org/wellness/pathways/7th-grade-initiative. The initiative aims to encourage youth to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors in school and life. The program includes a strength and fitness orientation and full access to the pool, Wellness Center, gymnasium and a variety of classes and sports. In 2023, River Crossing YMCA impacted the lives of over 1,000 teens in the free 7th Grade Initiative.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 142,000 members and participants at its twelve member branches, 13 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 37 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Reisman