La Cañada tops county’s life expectancy list

As a resident of the Crescenta Valley, I was most happy to learn La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta topped the list of average life expectancy in the Los Angeles County. However, I felt one important organization was missing when describing the attributing factors to the longer life span – the Y. The Crescenta-Canada Family YMCA has been an impactful organization that has influenced healthy lifestyles to thousands of locals since the doors first opened in 1958.
For the past 43 years, the Y has used the slogan, “We build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities,” and that is exactly what has happened in the Foothills. The Y has positively influenced healthier lifestyles to the community by providing programs for people of all ages.  Whether you are a toddler or a senior citizen, many programs can help change your life for the better.
In 2009, over 14,000 members of this great community participated in programs or used our facilities at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA. This type of participation shows how many people in are committing themselves to living a healthy life. Each time someone comes through the door at the Y you are increasing your chance of living a longer life.
The Y offers an abundance of programs beyond the workout facility and swimming pool that many people may not know about. Recently, the Y has partnered with Huntington Hospital in Pasadena to put on a lecture series regarding heart health. These lectures are free to the community and help educate people on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your heart strong.
In addition to lectures, the Y offers youth and adult sport programs, advice from nutrition and healthy lifestyle counselors, group exercise classes, senior counseling and several other programs that contribute to a longer lifespan.
I have lived in La Cañada since 1991 and my family joined the Y that same year. I know that just moving to this community will not guarantee us a longer lifespan. However, working out at the Y and participating in the wide variety of programs offered will definitely help anyone’s chances – and that is great news!

Kim Beattie
Director of Communications
YMCA of the Foothills

————————————————–

Letters policy
Crescenta Valley Weekly welcomes letters from the community. We must request that letters be limited to 350 words. Letters can be mailed to Crescenta Valley Weekly; P.O. Box 543; Verdugo City, CA 91046 or email robin@cvweekly.com.
Include your name, address, phone number and email information (if applicable). Letters need to be received no later than Tuesday noon.

  Crescenta