ACTIVATE AMERICA

YMCA Activate America

National initiative to assist kids, adults and families who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

YMCA Activate America™ is the YMCA’s national initiative that is rallying YMCAs across the country to further assist kids, adults and families who want to lead a healthy lifestyle, but struggle to do so. In addition to supporting this population called health seekers, YMCAs are making a commitment to their community to promote healthy living and are collaborating with other community partners to magnify their impact.

Activate America YMCAs are committed to the following:

• Supporting those who want to lead a healthy lifestyle, but struggle to do so. 
• Being an integral part of our community’s efforts to make long-lasting changes that support healthy living. 
• Collaboration through partnerships with public, private and other nonprofit organizations.

The YMCA's commitment to Activate America are the following:

• More than 100 YMCAs are participating in an organizational change project to enhance the YMCA’s capacity to serve health seekers. The project is also transforming YMCA child care sites into environments where physical activity, healthy eating and connectedness are the norm. 
• Over 900 YMCAs joined September’s America On the Move Week at the YMCA.  During this week, YMCAs host events and activities to motivate people to take small steps to get active and increase the number of daily steps they take. 
• Annually each spring, more than 1,400 YMCAs host a YMCA Healthy Kids® Day.  This is an interactive special event that, through fun, engaging and creative activities, encourages children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle.
• YMCAs in nearly 50 states are a part of Pioneering Healthier Communities, a project that engages key community stakeholders to develop strategies that reduce barriers and increase support for healthy living in local communities.
• National partners who provide expert advice to YMCAs across the nation regarding YMCA Activate America include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Steps to a HealthierUS initiative, Harvard School of Public Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Disney Channel, Kellogg Company, JCPenney Afterschool Fund, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and PepsiCo.

More than 80% of the 2,617 YMCAs across the nation have made a commitment to YMCA Activate America. We, at the YMCA, aspire to model and celebrate healthy living in all that we do. We invite you to visit either of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA's to learn how the Y is working to make our community a healthier place to live. If you have questions about YMCA Activate America or our commitment to it, please contact us by calling the YMCA-La Crosse at 608-782-9622 or the YMCA-North at 608-783-9622.

Click here to find out more on this national movement