Through mobile unit, West Licking County YMCA to bring programs directly to residents
The Buckeye Valley Family YMCA announced that Meta has signed on as the first sponsor for the new Y on the Fly program that launched June 12 at the West Licking County YMCA in Pataskala.
Y on the Fly will provide group fitness classes, youth sports and STEM activities, nutrition education and healthy snacks, active older adult programming and more. Y on the Fly’s mobile YMCA will visit communities and offer free programs aimed to help youth and adults stay active and engaged in spirit, mind, and body. The goal of Y on the Fly is to deliver programs to area residents that may be unable to access full YMCA services.
Meta has pledged a grant to support the program over the next four years to help cover the costs of equipment, supplies, food and staffing.
"Meta is proud of our partnership with the West Licking County Family YMCA," said Tara Tenorio, community development manager at Meta. "The Y on the Fly program, which will continue through the summer of 2026, furthers our commitment to the long-term vitality of Licking County and its residents by improving STEM education and making it more accessible."
Through collaboration with schools, libraries and park systems, these programs and services will be offered at several locations, including Freedom Park and Municipal Park in Pataskala, the Alexandria Library, and two locations in Johnstown.
"At the Y, we believe that all people deserve access to resources that help them learn, grow, and thrive, no matter where they live," said Adam Shilling, Buckeye Valley Family YMCA CEO. "We’re so grateful to Meta and our other partners for their support as we launch this important program. Our goal is to reach more families, including those beyond the physical walls of the Y."
The YMCA never turns anyone away from services due to their inability to pay. However, the majority of services offered require participants to travel to Y facilities to participate. More services are needed in more remote communities due to existing transportation barriers.
The Y hopes to secure additional sponsors to purchase a vehicle to serve as its Y on the Fly mobile unit, as well as covering other ongoing expenses of the program.
West Licking County YMCA’s Y on the Fly program is a response to several local and national studies, including a youth needs assessment survey conducted locally in 2022. This assessment included discussion groups throughout Licking County, where input was collected from more than 300 youth. These conversations identified that access to free community areas for group activities was one of the largest physical health needs for local youth. In addition, multiple studies have shown that taking fitness programs to senior citizens helps improve their quality of life.
For more information about Y on the Fly, or to become a sponsor, please contact Adam Shilling at adam.shilling@bvfymca.org.
Information submitted by Buckeye Valley Family YMCA.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: West Licking County YMCA to bring programs directly to residents
