[Wilmington, DE] – The YMCA of Delaware is proud to announce a new partnership with ChristianaCare, one of the leading healthcare organizations in the region, aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of teens and adults throughout Delaware. YMCA of Delaware’s and ChristianaCare’s collaborative initiative focuses on two key areas: behavioral health support for teens and nutrition and weight management seminars.
“At the YMCA, we believe that well-being is more than just physical fitness—it’s about supporting the whole person,” said Amy Desmond, Director of Healthy Living and Strategic Partnerships at the YMCA of Delaware. “Partnering with ChristianaCare allows us to bring meaningful programs directly to our members and local youth, from behavioral health resources for teens to practical tools for healthy living. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier community.”
“At ChristianaCare, we believe in supporting the health and well-being of our community and making health care easy and convenient to access,” said Bettina Tweardy Riveros, chief health equity officer. “This partnership allows clinical experts from ChristianaCare to address both mental and physical health in a comprehensive way, helping teens and adults lead healthier, more balanced lives by meeting them in their own environment – at the YMCA.”
Teen Behavioral Health Initiatives
As part of this partnership, ChristianaCare will launch quarterly behavioral health seminars for teens at the Walnut Street YMCA through the T.H.R.I.V.E. program. Teens can attend any of the seminars for free. These seminars will focus on important topics such as depression and anxiety, providing much-needed resources and support for youth aged 13-17. The first seminar, scheduled for November, will address the growing concerns surrounding teen mental health, specifically depression and anxiety.
T.H.R.I.V.E. is a free after-school program at the Walnut Street YMCA, specifically designed to support the holistic development of teens. Teens do not need to be YMCA members to participate in T.H.R.I.V.E. The program focuses on four core elements: academic support, social, emotional, and behavioral progression, health and wellness exploration, and parent and family resources.
“This partnership will allow ChristianaCare’s behavioral health professionals to connect with teens on critical issues like stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Mustafa A. Mufti, M.D., chair of the ChristianaCare Department of Psychiatry. “These seminars can enhance relationships and academic performance, while also empowering teens with vital life skills and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. experiences depression or anxiety, making these issues critical to address. The T.H.R.I.V.E. program, with support from ChristianaCare, aims to provide teens with the tools they need to navigate these challenges in a supportive environment.
Nutrition and Weight Management
In addition to ChristianaCare’s teen mental and behavioral health initiatives, the partnership will also introduce a series of nutrition and weight management seminars on a quarterly basis, at no extra cost for YMCA of Delaware members. The workshops are open to the community as well. The first seminar will take place in November at the Bear-Glasgow YMCA.
“These workshops are crafted to offer practical advice and strategies for healthy living, with a special focus on weight management and nutrition,” said Bradley Sandella, D.O., physician lead of the Medical Subspecialty Service Line at ChristianaCare. “Our goal is to empower individuals to make informed choices, fostering sustainable lifestyle changes and enhancing overall well-being.”
A Holistic Approach to Health
This partnership underscores the YMCA of Delaware’s and ChristianaCare’s shared commitment to addressing the health needs of the community. By combining ChristianaCare’s clinical expertise with the YMCA’s community-based approach, the initiative seeks to provide Delawareans with greater access to vital health resources.
Future plans include expanding these behavioral health, nutrition, and weight management workshops and seminars to reach more teens, families, and individuals in need of mental health support and nutrition guidance.
For more information on these programs, visit www.ymcade.org or contact the YMCAs Healthy Living Department at [email protected].
About the YMCA of Delaware
The YMCA of Delaware is Delaware’s largest nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth, fostering healthy living, and promoting strong communities. With seven branches statewide, a youth resource center, and an overnight camp and conference center in Worton, Maryland, the Y has developed longstanding relationships and a physical presence in Delaware so it can deliver lasting personal and social change. We are committed to serving everyone – regardless of age, income, or background –nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving Delaware’s health and wellbeing, and creating a healthy, inclusive community where all people reach their full potential. www.ymcade.org.
About ChristianaCare
Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic healthcare organizations, centered on improving health outcomes and innovating to make high-quality care more accessible, equitable, and affordable. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,430 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center, and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women’s health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute.
ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work, and rated by Forbes as one of the nation’s best employers for diversity and inclusion. ChristianaCare is rated by Newsweek as one of the World’s Best Hospitals and is continually ranked among the best in the U.S. in national quality and safety ratings. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.
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