This Is Y

Serving active-duty service members, veterans and their families is a priority for the First Coast YMCA as Florida has the third-highest veteran population in the country, along with several active military bases. The Y has a variety of programs available for the military community and their families, as well as strategic partners in VyStar Credit Union and the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, all of whom help serve those who have served our country. Today’s discussion covers a variety of those services, including critical mental health resources that help service members and veterans live a healthy life.

In this episode we dive into the power of personalized wellness through the First Coast YMCA’s Personal Training program. From nationally certified experts to customized fitness plans, Y personal training is about meeting members where they are—and helping them get where they want to go. Guests will share their experience as trainers and clients, highlight the diversity of available training formats, and explore the life-changing impact of a tailored fitness journey.

This episode focuses on what makes Camp Immokalee more than a camp. Camp Immokalee has been a staple of the community for over 100 years, creating an inclusive and adventurous environment for everyone. Camp Immokalee offers campers the chance to unplug, build friendships, and explore activities that inspire confidence, independence, and personal growth.

Tennis is growing in popularity, as it gives people of all ages the chance to maintain physical fitness, meet new people, and establish a recreational community. The First Coast YMCA offers tennis at its Williams Family YMCA, and this episode will cover the sport’s impact on participants, including how the community can get involved through the annual Josh Watkins Memorial Tennis Tournament.

In this episode, we discuss teen leadership programs at the First Coast YMCA, focusing on the Youth in Government program and FCYMCS Leaders Club.

All of the branches of the First Coast YMCA will be holding a Healthy Aging Day. In this episode, we highlight that event and discuss the various programs the Y has for members over 50 years of age.

In a world increasingly marked by division and misunderstanding, “Together Against Hate: Promoting Unity in the Community,” presented by the Jewish Community Alliance and the First Coast YMCA, returns to provide a platform for education, dialogue, culture, and connection across Jacksonville’s diverse communities. In today’s episode, we’ll hear from both organizations about the importance of continuing this important series, now in its third year, which begins with an impactful first event next year discussing youth mental health.

This week’s show focuses on community engagement and volunteerism at the First Coast YMCA. Guests are Josh Harrison, Metro Board Member, FCYMCA, Cheya Thousand, Advisory Board Chair, at the YMCA at Baptist North and Cara Roach, Interim Executive Director, Brown Family YMCA.

Guests Candace Burrows, the Vice President of Programs at the FCYMCA, and Stacey McDaniel, the Director of Strategy & Quality Practices--Anti-Hunger Network Experience at Y-USA, discuss the anti-hunger programming at the First Coast YMCA.

The formative years of preschool through fifth grade can have a major impact on how a child develops as he or she begins their scholastic journey. This week on “This is Y”, we take a closer look at how the First Coast YMCA’s Tiger Academy cultivates an enriching environment that develops the scholars of tomorrow. Listen to key administrators as to what makes this charter school different and hear from a recent graduate on how this school is making an indelible impact on the next generation