Youngstown foundation awards grants to clinic

November 17, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant for renovations to Gateway Rehab’s Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic in Youngstown.

“We’re grateful to have the support of The Youngstown Foundation. The Rush Boulevard Clinic has served the Youngstown community for 48 years, providing care for individuals affected by the disease of addiction,” said Carolyn Givens, NKRC executive director.

Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic, a 501(c)(3) organization, was the nation’s first nonprofit addiction treatment facility of its kind. It began in 1946 as the Youngstown Committee on Alcoholism Inc. In 1999 NKRC became a part of Gateway Rehab.

Police recognition

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mercy Health Youngstown Police Department was recognized in a ceremony Friday for the department’s International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Department Accreditation and Department Distinction Award.

The department earned this recognition, presented by David LaRose, president of the IAHSS executive board, for having at least 80 percent of its commissioned police officers earning their IAHSS officer certification. The Youngstown department is the only active healthcare-based police department in Ohio to have it.

Also, Police Chief Ryan Bonacci was recognized for receiving two national awards through the American Police Hall of Fame: Honor Award for Public Service for his dedication and commitment to serving the community and public in support of safety and security; and the J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Award for his dedication and commitment for continuing law enforcement education competency.

Diabetes grant awarded

YOUNGSTOWN

A grant from the Western Reserve Health Foundation is helping the YMCA of Youngstown help people prevent diabetes with its Diabetes Prevention Program.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if current trends continue one in three Americans could have diabetes by 2050. The Y’s 12-month lifestyle modification program is part of the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program.

The goal is to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes by reducing body weight by seven percent and participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week. For information, including locations, dates, and registration fees, call Michelle Edison, wellness program coordinator at 330-480-5656, ext. 236.Because of the grant from the Western Reserve Health Foundation, the Y is able to offer a limited amount of scholarships to those who would not otherwise be able to afford the program.

Lower blood pressure

BOSTON, MASS.

Walking is a low-impact, do-anywhere exercise that helps lower blood pressure and stave off diabetes.

Two large, long-term Harvard University studies suggest that walking for about 20 minutes a day may cut the risk of heart disease by as much as 30 percent, according to the December 2015 “Harvard Heart Letter.”

One of the best ways to start and maintain a walking program is to find walking buddies, said Dr. Lauren Elson, physical medicine and rehabilitation instructor at Harvard Medical School.

Other people find motivation by using a pedometer to track their steps and distance, says Dr. Elson. One review of 26 studies found that people who used pedometers raised their physical activity levels by nearly 27 percent, adding about 2,500 steps a day. Smartphone apps can also be used to track steps.