Wichita, Kansas — The Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs announced today it has been awarded a $50,000 planning grant from the Kansas Health Foundation to further expand and develop YMCA360.
Recently launched by the Greater Wichita YMCA, YMCA360 brings the Y’s people, places and programs to life anywhere, anytime through seamless web, TV and app technology. YMCA360 is a robust digital experience that combines immersive, healthy living with the values of the Y to deliver the ultimate connected community.
“We are very grateful to the Kansas Health Foundation for sharing our vision of creating health and wellness access and equity across the state,” said Ronn McMahon, president and CEO of the Greater Wichita YMCA. “By working together, we have the ability to bring the breadth of the YMCA health and wellness programs to Kansas residents to improve their overall quality of life.”
“The Kansas Health Foundation believes in a culture in which every Kansan can make healthy choices where they live, work and play,” said Deanna Van Hersh, Kansas Health Foundation interim executive vice president. “YMCA360 will help us realize that vision by delivering a wealth of access to programs for the mind, body and spirit to individuals of all ages in all Kansas zip codes.”
The Kansas Health Foundation grant will be used to boost statewide awareness of YMCA360 digital offerings and benefits to individuals in rural areas and cities, fund targeted market research to both understand healthy living needs/barriers among Kansans of all walks of life and drive content adaptation, establish Kansas YMCA locations as YMCA360 distribution hubs and build collaboration with individual communities that lack YMCA facilities to bring YMCA360 to community centers, libraries, senior centers and other gathering spots.
Currently, YMCA360 offers more than 500 on-demand exercise classes, gymnastics, basketball and soccer videos, nutrition and cooking classes and personal training. YMCA360 is free with a YMCA membership. The Greater Wichita YMCA developed and implemented YMCA360 for partner YMCAs to utilize across the country. All YMCAs in the state of Kansas currently participate, making YMCA360 accessible to all YMCA members in Kansas. YMCA360 is also available to those without a YMCA in their area through a special YMCA360+ membership.
Additional details about the initiative can be found at ymcawichita.org/ymca360.
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ABOUT THE GREATER WICHITA YMCA
Since 1885, The Greater Wichita YMCA has been volunteer-led and mission driven and consistently empowered healthy lifestyles, strong families, and positive youth development for all in Southcentral Kansas. Today, we employ 1,400+ and serve 300,000+ of our neighbors in Butler, Harvey, Kingman, Reno, and Sedgwick Counties. We support healthy spirit, mind, and body through community development, education and wellness initiatives, youth and family programs, licensed child care and camp, and physical activity. Our 180,000+ members and the entire community have access to over a million square feet of fitness space across our ten area branch locations in Andover, El Dorado, Newton, and Wichita as well as four seasonal, outdoor water parks (Andover and Wichita), two indoor/outdoor sports complexes (Andover and Wichita), and Camp Hyde (Viola). Our annual Strong Community Campaign which funds our free and reduced-costs programs and enables scholarships, grants, and income-based member and program pricing for those who qualify allow us to honor our commitment to serve all, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at ymcawichita.org.
ABOUT THE KANSAS HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Kansas Health Foundation is based in Wichita, but statewide in its focus. With a mission to improve the health of all Kansans, KHF envisions a culture in which every Kansan can make healthy choices where they live, work and play. To achieve this, KHF focuses its work in four impact areas: access to affordable health care, healthy behaviors, civic and community engagement and educational attainment. During its history, KHF has provided more than $500 million in grants to Kansas communities and organizations, and looks forward to working toward its mission and vision for many years to come.