Putnam – Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) and the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center have partnered to host a series of youth wellness clinics during the month of November. The clinics are designed to introduce a variety of activities and topics to children encouraging whole body wellness. Each event will focus on a set age group and will include physical activity with discussions on emotional wellness topics.

The first clinic in the series will be held on Sunday, November 8th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for children ages 6 – 10. Staff members from both the Hale YMCA, NOW and other community partners will offer 25-minute activities for participating children focused on Tai Chi, Bullying Prevention, Karate, and Nutrition & Fitness. NOW & the YMCA welcome volunteers Lisa Marie Rivera (LCSW) from Silver Linings Counseling and Master Daryl Laperle from Danielson Martial Arts Academy to assist with the November 8th Clinic.

The series will continue on Sunday, November 15th, and conclude on Sunday, November 22nd. Other topics and activities to be explored include: Yoga, Managing Emotions, Body Combat, Meditation, Zumba, Hygiene, Brazilian Jiujitsu, and Diversity & Inclusion. NOW Executive Director Sarah Wolfburg commented, “we are very happy to be working with the YMCA on this clinic series. This is a true collaboration, with staff from both organizations leading activities and planning the format of each event. Now more than ever, it is important to encourage children to prioritize emotional and physical wellness. Our goal with this clinic is to provide children with resources that can support them in self-care.”

To ensure the safety of all children and volunteers, there will be a registration cap of 25 children for each event. Upon entering the YMCA facility, waivers and temperature checks will be required for admission to the clinic. All children and activity leaders will also be required to wear face coverings for the entirety of the clinic. A full list of requirements and guidelines is available on the event registration form.

The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, part of the Greater Hartford YMCA, provides programs to the Northeastern Connecticut community. The YMCA of Greater Hartford is a charitable association open to all and committed to helping people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. This commitment is reinforced by their belief in living out universal values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

NOW is a non-profit human services organization focused on youth wellness. NOW provides children with the opportunity to participate in area wellness activities and athletics programs, offering scholarships to the youth of the community with up to 95% of the cost being subsidized by NOW. The mission of the organization is to provide ALL children, regardless of financial resources, equal opportunities to achieve & maintain youth wellness, beginning at an early age.

Registration is available through www.NOWinMotion.org.