The Gateway Family YMCA Awarded Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation Grant

Elizabeth, NJ, July 31, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The Gateway Family YMCA received a $30,000 grant from the Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation to continue the work of the Shaping Elizabeth Community Health Initiative (CHI). With the grant funding, Shaping Elizabeth is planning to offer nutrition classes using Eat Healthy – Be Active community workshops in Spanish and English with a trained registered dietician in Elizabeth, free to residents this fall.

“This grant will allow us to continue to support the YMCA Community Garden with the help of Groundwork Elizabeth and teach adults and children about urban gardening, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and growing fresh fruits and vegetables,” stated Alane McCahey, Senior Director of Community Initiatives, The Gateway Family YMCA.

“The grant will also enhance our efforts to support the families in Mrvalag Housing, working with the Bayway Family Success Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Trinitas Regional Medical Center to bring health fairs, health screenings, nutritional education, fun physical activity and fresh fruits and vegetables into the community to improve their health and well-being,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA.

The Shaping Elizabeth Community Health Initiative (CHI) is a team composed of community leaders committed to improving the health and well-being of the City of Elizabeth by creating sustainable change to policies and environment with strategies to close the “Health Equality” gap that support improved health, nutrition and physical activity for all. Since 2013, Shaping Elizabeth has impacted the health equality of over 2,200 people through a community forum, community gardens, nutrition education, worksite wellness, increased activity, HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) Standards and improved access to clinical care.

For more information about The Gateway Family YMCA, please visit www.tgfymca.org. For more information on the Shaping Elizabeth Community Health Initiative, please contact Alane McCahey at amccahey@tgfymca.org or visit Shaping Elizabeth on Facebook.