MONDAY MORNING JOE: Finding Joy

Christmas is the most joyful time of the year, we are told. I know for some; Christmas can be a difficult time of the year filled with loneliness, depression, isolation, cold days, long nights, trauma, missing loved ones. It may seem strange think to take a moment and think about the theme of joy during […]

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Waiting for Peace

The second week of Advent in the Christian church usually centers around the theme of peace. Peace on earth and goodwill towards all. As the old hymn proclaims, “Peace on earth, can it be? Years from, perhaps we’ll see the day of glory, the day when men of goodwill live in peace again.” Peace is […]

Helping Your Resolutions Stick

New Year’s resolutions can be a fresh start for many of us, but sometimes it’s hard to really nail down exactly what we plan to accomplish in the next year. Often, our resolutions revolve around eating better, quitting a negative habit, or building a better routine into our daily lives. While the big, grand ideas […]

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Holiday Stress Relief

The holiday season can be beautiful, from the lights twinkling around the city to the time spent with loved ones. However, it can also bring a lot of extra stress. Traveling, a full social calendar, the hustle and bustle of shopping for the perfect gift or stocking up on groceries for when the guests arrive […]

Meet Charles Eastman, Father of the Adventure Guides

November is Native American Heritage Month, and we’re celebrating the history of Native Americans within the YMCA. One of the many Indigenous Americans we celebrate this month is Charles Eastman, the first Native American to be certified in Western medicine. Eastman’s passion to support Native American youth led him to the YMCA when he was […]

Ten Tips for Tackling the Holiday Temptation

The holidays often center around food, family and fun. The smell of food drifting from the kitchen is a staple in nearly every household, paired nicely with the sound of football on the TV. Whether you’re an early riser hoping to catch the first run of the big parade on TV or sleeping in until […]

Learning Happens Everywhere

During National Education Week, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City recognizes that learning happens in school, at home, and everywhere in between—including the Y! From soccer teams to afterschool care, our programming is designed to support social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Specific programs like the Elementary School Sports League allow students in the Oklahoma City […]

Know Your Risk: One in Three

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and November 15 is World Diabetes Day. Following a year of reduced activity due to the pandemic, statistics show prediabetes rates are on the rise. Currently, 88 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes but less than 16 percent know they have it. Prediabetes is a […]

Supporting Heroes During Active Duty and Beyond

To those who are currently serving or have served in the past: Thank you for your service. In an effort to give back to the men and women who answered the call, the Armed Services YMCA proudly partners with the U.S. Department of Defense to offer memberships through the Military Outreach Initiative. This initiative allows […]

A Heart for the Arts

It’s no secret that the arts have a drastic impact on children and teens’ development. The power of the arts is not only limited to mental development, but it allows for the exploration of new ideas, emotional expression and cultural appreciation. The arts, like many programs here at the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, are […]