Jennie Giesler, Community Wellness Coordinator and Healthy-U Lead for the YMCA of Greater Michiana, is a strong pillar of CATCH’s community of health leaders across the world. For over three years, the YMCA of Greater Michiana has implemented a range of CATCH programs, including CATCH Health Ed Journeys, CATCH Healthy Smiles, CATCH My Breath, and CATCH Kids Club, serving youth from pre-K through 8th grade. By partnering with local schools, these programs have reached over 4,000 students this school year, and Jennie hopes to reach even more youth in the coming school year.

By ensuring that our services remain affordable, we can empower communities to build a healthier future together. Every donation we receive supports this effort, helping make our programs accessible to communities like Jennie’s, worldwide. Consider making a donation today to help us continue this vital work.

This Spring, our skilled staff took part in three different meaningful webinars with a diverse range of expert partners. Topics included coordinating child nutrition services and school wellness with panelists from Quest Food Management Services as well as child nutrition program managers from school districts across the U.S.; addressing the youth vaping epidemic with the Whole Child Health National Advisor from Alliance for a Healthier Generation; and fostering mental well-being in schools and beyond, with insights from the Chief Medical Officer at Meadows Mental Health Institute. To everyone who tuned in, thank you! If you missed the live sessions, would like to revisit these important topics, or want to dive into more health education topics this summer, our webinar archive is a wealth of resources.

As we head into the warmer months and spend more time outside, sun-safety becomes all the more important for youth. Created and developed by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ray and the Sunbeatables®: A Sun Safety Curriculum for Pre-K - 1 and Be Sunbeatable™ for grades 2-5, are fun and engaging programs that you can easily implement with kids at school, in afterschool programs, or summer camps. Additionally, quick training videos are offered and accessible at all times to educators and access to these programs is free! 

This school year, three new research studies on CATCH My Breath were published in peer-reviewed journals, highlighting the effectiveness of the vaping prevention program across diverse populations. 

An intervention among high school students in Middle Tennessee led to a 34% drop in self-reported e-cigarette use. In a study among middle school students in Appalachian counties, 84% reported being less likely to use e-cigarettes following the program. Meanwhile on the international front, the first pre/post evaluation of CATCH My Breath in Canada showed a significant increase in knowledge and modest reductions in subjective norms of vaping. 

We’re proud of these achievements and excited to continue our work in empowering youth to lead healthy lives. Follow our social media channels for more updates!

Thank You Corner

• Read the latest CATCH news. 

• This is one of many fun and interactive games in our K-8 nutrition education and physical activity program, CATCH Kids Club – a valuable resource for after-school and summer programs seeking to implement high-quality curriculum!

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