Vancouver Coastal Health and Langara Family YMCA: Partners for Health

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Vancouver Coastal Health and Langara Family YMCA: Partners for Health VCH: M. Burglehaus, MSc, RD; M. Clark, BA RLS, BA Soc; J. Jagpal, BA TR. YMCA: D. Clavelle, BCRPA, CanFit Pro; C. Humphries, Cand. MA

“Y Weight” - Weight Management Program: Program Profile: A 10 week education series providing support, tools, and resources in five areas: nutrition, eating patterns, physical activity, behaviour change, and weight management. The program was modified for South Asian Group and for the Low Income Group as represented in the table below.

Neighbourhood Situation: South Vancouver has a large South Asian Population. The rate of Type 2 diabetes in South Asian communities is over five times higher than in the regular population. 28% of households in South Vancouver report low income on 2006 Statistics Canada data.

SOUTH ASIAN GROUP LOW INCOME GROUP

INTERVENTIONS

RESULTS

• Curriculum enhanced with culturally applicable information and delivered in Punjabi

• Cost of program reduced to $10 from $55• Free childcare provided

• Targeted program through networks of social service agencies in South Vancouver

• Improved ability to read food labels• Improved ability to identify elements of Canada’s

Food Guide• Significant improvement in levels of physical

activity

•22 registered in current program.• Lowest attrition rate of all Y Weight programs

Financial Assistance Program:Program Profile: Proving income is a known barrier to participation in subsidized recreation programs. The process can be demeaning and ineffective. This is an initiative to improve access to YMCA membership, preventative health and leisure services for VCH clients with low-incomes started in January, 2009.

Goals: 1. Increase percentage of memberships that receive financial assistance from 4% to 10%.

2. Eliminate financial assistance processes that have been identified as creating barriers to access and inclusion.

Neighbourhood Situation: South Vancouver has 28% of households reporting low income on 2006 Statistics Canada data.

CLIENTS VCH STAFF

INTERVENTIONS

RESULTS

• Do not have to prove income• Self determine how much they can afford

• New protocol developed• 46 staff trained in South Vancouver region

• 30 referrals• 766 visits

• Regular monthly membership: $51• Average subsidized membership: $12.15

• Total value of subsidies: $3874.00

• High interest in program• Most referrals through Recreation Therapists• Express high satisfaction with ease, respect,

and results of new process• Confidence in personalized services from

YMCA

“I like that everyone is welcome. The facilitators are knowledgeable and flexible and know how to help us set goals!” Participant

“The Nordic Walking is great. It’s one of my favourite parts of the program and sometimes it’s difficult to get exercise during the week. Anyone can do it so it makes you feel great!” Participant

“The groups are very supportive of each other. Someone always has tips to offer that others, even the facilitators, haven’t thought of.” YMCA “Y Weight” Facilitator

“They really enjoy talking about how they can change their behaviours.” YMCA “Y Weight” Facilitator

Photos courtesy of Mary Clark, VCH, and Canadian Association for the

Advancement of Women in SPort (CAAWS)

“She is very happy to be able to play table tennis. And she is overall happier” Daughter commenting on mother’s participation

“I feel better about myself. I have confidence and I feel stronger” Member since June 2009

“Many people will benefit. Great spirit of cooperation between the Y and VCH!” VCH Staff person

“Recreation and social inclusion are so important for coping with poverty.” VCH Staff person

For more information, please contact:VCH Healthy Living Program: Maria Burglehaus: 604.267.4435 [email protected] Mary Clark: 604.267.2234 [email protected] South Mental Health Team: Jasmine Jagpal: 604.266.6124 [email protected] Family YMCA: Debbie Clavelle: 604.324.9622 Ext. 224 [email protected] Charlotte Humphries: 604.324.9622 Ext. 237 [email protected]