Healthier Sound Shore

In 2005, the Rye Y established the Activate America community coalition. Based on a YMCA of the USA initiative, Activate America was the Y’s response to our country’s growing obesity, declining fitness and chronic disease crises.

The goal of the coalition—now called Healthier Sound Shore—is to create long-term, sustainable improvements in lifestyle and health in the communities we serve.

Past Accomplishments

Forming Safe Routes to School committees in Rye, Larchmont and Mamaroneck.
Supporting infrastructure improvements (Boston Post Road Diet, Forest Avenue sharrows) that have led to safer roadways for all users.
Coordinating the application process for federal Safe Routes to School funding that resulted in the City of Rye receiving nearly $224,000 for infrastructure projects near Rye City schools
Supporting school-based edible gardens by connecting schools with resources (including grant funding and in-kind services).
Organizing community forums around school-based edible gardens, Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School and diabetes prevention teen issues, childhood obesity, hunger and food insecurity and more.
Secured a major federal grant (through Y-USA) that launched the Y’s community health work in Port Chester and Mamaroneck. Working with local partners, we formed two grassroots coalitions—Healthier Port Chester and Healthier Mamaroneck—to promote health and wellness and reduce chronic disease among African-Americans and Latinos.

Current Work

Safe Routes to School

Each year, the Rye YMCA, parents and local community leaders gather to recognize the winners of the Heads Up! Poster Contest. The contest, which is part of the Rye Y’s Safe Routes to School initiative, engages Rye High School students in creating posters that illustrate the dangers of distracted walking and driving.

We also provide support to the parent volunteers who organize annual Walk to School Week activities and we participate in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Safe Routes to School Committee.

Cross District Wellness Committee

Since 2010, the Rye Y has brought together the parent volunteers who serve on Wellness Committees in the Mamaroneck, Rye and Rye Neck school districts. Through quarterly meetings, parents, teachers and community advocates share ideas, learn from guest speakers and support each other’s efforts to foster healthy eating and physical activity at school.

We also participate in an annual series of “Crunchy Carnivals,” family wellness nights held at Larchmont and Mamaroneck elementary schools.

Healthier Sound Shore Community Conversations

Twice a year, the Rye Y convenes a panel of experts to discuss important and timely issues related to health and wellness. Recent topics have included “Safe Streets, Safe Communities” about pedestrian safety and “All About Lyme,” which addressed the growing problem of Lyme Disease.