Y offers Veterans Wellness Initiative

The Sussex County YMCA again will offer the Veterans Wellness Initiative, beginning the week of Sept. 22.

The free program will meet weekly for in-person exercise and wellness, led by a personal trainer, and online to discuss veterans’ health in mind, body and spirit.

There will be evening and daytime sessions.

In the spring, the Veterans Pathway program engaged 45 people, including U.S. military veterans and active-duty military members and their spouses. Participants ranged in age from 30 to 98.

Open to active military, military veterans, and/or a spouse or partner, the program provides participants access to health and wellness opportunities as well as social connections with those who share the bond of military service.

Participants have free access to the Y360 virtual wellness platform, family membership to the Y during the 12-week session, and an additional six-month individual adult membership after successful completion of the program.

Participants also took part in a service project during the spring session: at the Sussex Y, the veterans repurposed an assortment of flowers and created planting beds at the Y. They purchased a plaque for the Veterans Wellness program that was mounted on a large rock and placed in the garden.

The Veterans Wellness Initiative began in 2015 at the Doylestown branch of the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. Since then, the program has expanded to other New Jersey branches, serving more than 650 veterans and their families.

For information, go online to metroymcas.org/veterans or call 973-758-9039.