BluePrint Mini-Grants
Paterson YMCA
Paterson, New Jersey
Project Title: Senior Fitness Program
Amount Funded: $25,000
About the Organization/Coalition:
Paterson YMCA will partner with William Paterson University and the
Paterson Housing Authority to conduct the Senior Fitness programs
at three facilities, including Nathan Barnert Homes, Joseph Masiello
Homes, and Gordon Canfield Plaza. The culturally diverse population
of residents is primarily low-income. Many of the residents are
disabled.
Project Objectives:
- Provide an on-site fitness program for older adults. Activities
will include yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, strength training,
and a chair exercise program. The Mayor of Paterson has committed
the use of the city trolley that runs a downtown loop transit
service free of charge. On a weekly basis, the trolley service
will pick up the seniors at local housing sites and provide
transportation to the YMCA.
- Provide a 14-week off-site fitness program at three targeted sites.
Gerontology intern students from William Paterson University will
promote participation in physical activities at the facilities and
form walking clubs in each building.
- Use a creative arts program, "Where These Feet Have Walked" as the
kick-off event to engage the older residents in sharing their life
stories as a basis for movement.
- Evaluate the outreach and fitness promotion using pre-and post-test
surveys to measure project participation and to assess project impact.
Progress Report:
Active Adult fitness offers four fitness activities, including Yoga, Tai Chi Chih, walking, and water aerobics, both on-site at three senior housing developments and at the Paterson YMCA. Free trolley transportation to the YMCA is provided through the Mayor's Office. Programs are offered once a week for 60 to 90 minutes.
Grant accomplishments for 2003 included:
- Program staff members, including a bi-lingual ROSS coordinator, were hired.
- Kick-off events were scheduled at each housing site to promote interest in the program. Participating seniors received Active Adult Fitness t-shirts.
- Student interns from the university's gerontology program were trained in creative methodology for motivating older adults to participate in the walking clubs, using life history questions, circle walking exercises, and gentle movement with dramatic expression.
- A case manager and nurse assigned to the three senior housing sites were contacted to assist with program promotion, encouraging residents to join the walking program for health benefits and to reduce social isolation.
- Resident councils, comprised of five to seven active housing residents, will help promote the program at their housing site.
Contact Information:
Larry Gutlerner
Paterson YMCA
128 Ward St.
Paterson, NJ 07505
(973) 684-2320
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