YMCA

YMCA back bigger than ever

One of the greatest challenges of the pandemic has been maintaining social connections in the senior community. In order to protect seniors from the risk of infection, many programs were suspended, leaving seniors to either feel isolated or miss out on the activities that help them maintain mental, emotional and physical health.

That’s where the Stonestown Family YMCA comes in. Every month, the Senior Programming Team will be onsite at The Market, helping seniors reconnect to programs and to one another. Leading the day-to-day social and wellness activities will be Tony Ortiz, Active Adult Engagement Coordinator, who is new to the Parkmerced community.

“Before COVID, the Parkmerced Senior Program would connect to nearly 200 seniors in the community,” says Tony. “Residents would also participate in programs at the senior center at the YMCA. But accessibility and transportation can be a problem for some, so we’re very excited to bring programming back to Parkmerced again.”

Activities will be held at the clubhouse on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the YMCA will be at The Market at least once a month, usually on the fourth Saturday unless the last weekend falls on a holiday. At The Market, the YMCA will highlight upcoming programs and activities and seek opportunities for seniors to reconnect with community and the YMCA itself.

Programs offered at Parkmerced will include group exercise classes such as dance, basic strength and Tai Chi, art classes, Mahjong and Bridge tourneys, neighborhood walks, movie mania and much more.

Seniors will also be able to learn more about the events being held at the senior center, which is located at the Stonestown Family YMCA Annex at 3150 20th Ave. and the main facility at 333 Eucalyptus Drive, which has group and aquatic exercise classes, strength machines and a pool.

In partnership with Maximus, all Parkmerced residents participating in the senior programs at the Y will be able to register as a Community Participant. There is no fee for this membership. The YMCA also offers a Membership for All program that can help reduce the regular monthly membership fee for other residents. 

For more information about the YMCA and its programs and services, visit the YMCA’s website.

YMCA and Parkmerced are partnering on programs for seniors including group exercise classes such as dance, basic strength and Tai Chi, art classes, Mahjong and Bridge tourneys, neighborhood walks, movie mania and much more.

Please contact Tony Ortiz at 415.666-9614 or aortiz@ymcasf.org (preferred) with any questions.