November 20, 2002 Maynard, MA – RYKÄ and the Women's Sports Foundation teamed up to announce 13 inaugural recipients of 2002 " RYKÄ Women's Fitness Grants" of which five were either JCCs or Ys. . The $50,000 grant program was recently launched by RYKA and is dedicated to supporting organizations and programs that enhance women's lives through health and fitness.
The grants provide financial assistance to programs that empower and enhance the self-esteem of women aged 25 and older through a combination of fitness activities and health education. The grants also target programs that serve women recovering from health and emotional challenges. " RYKÄ is proud to recognize these organizations which share our commitment to inspire, empower and educate women to create healthier lives," said RYKÄ President Mary Taylor. "The grant recipients represent a great cross section of the kinds of grass roots efforts that are making a real difference in the lives of thousands of women." The 2002 grant recipients include urban, suburban and rural organizations from across the U.S. with varied approaches to a shared mission to improve women's lives through health and fitness initiatives. From outdoor, adventure-based programs and employee-focused initiatives to programs that target the needs of black and Latina women, each of the grant recipients has a unique story to tell of women improving their lives through healthy activities and education.
JCCs and YWCAs Win Awards for Fitness Programs
The Jewish Community Center of Louisville, Ky. was awarded $4,000 to underwrite their Women Only Weight Training (WOW) program. This 5 year-old program is dedicated to utilizing fitness, nutrition and body-awareness techniques in an atmosphere of self-actualization and camaraderie. WOW empowers women with this knowledge so that they are able to independently create and maintain their own exercise regimen. The YWCA of Plainfield, NJ, received $3,500, allowing them to serve the increasing number of women taking part in their health and fitness center programs. The goals of the program are to empower women through health education and a customized fitness program. The center provides tools, services and information needed to meet fitness goals, improve self-confidence, overall health, and, as a result, quality of life.
Complete List of 2002 RYKÄ Women's Fitness Grant Winners Boston Black Women's Health Initiative - Dorchester, MA
Coalition for Community Health - Los Angeles, CA
Greater Allen Cathedral Health Ministry - Jamaica Queens, NY
Hospital for Special Surgery - New York, NY
Infinite Potential - Denver, CO
Jewish Community Center of Louisville - Louisville, KY
Minneapolis Heart Institute - Minneapolis, MN
Montgomery Community College - Troy, NC
Passages Northwest - Seattle, WA
YWCA of Greater Lawrence - Lawrence, MA
YWCA Lancaster - Lancaster, PA
YWCA Plainfield/North Plainfield - Plainfield, NJ
YWCA Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City, UT
About RYKÄ RYKÄ is an athletic footwear bran dedicated solely to women. RYKA designs, develops and markets fitness products, including aerobics, aqua, cross-training, running, walking and yoga shoes. RYKÄ shoes conform to the anatomical features unique to women's feet--narrower in the heel and wider in the forefoot. www.ryka.com
About the Women's Sports Foundation Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organization dedicated to ensuring equal access to participation and leadership opportunities for all girls and women in sports and fitness. The Foundation's participation, education, advocacy, research and leadership programs are made possible by individual and corporate contributions. The Foundation is located in Nassau County, N.Y. www.WomensSportsFoundation.org Related Stories
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