Team Up for Health: Harbin Clinic and Rome YMCA Partnership
Harbin Clinic and The YMCA of Rome and Floyd County announce Team Up for Health, an initiative focused on improving the health and well-being of children and youth in the community through collaboration. As a key part of the Team Up for Health partnership, Harbin Clinic will sponsor the YMCA’s team-based soccer and basketball programs serving children from pre-school to high school.
“It is our shared vision that all youth will have the opportunity, motivation and access to play sports — regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, ability or background,” said Scott McCreless, Executive Director of the Rome YMCA. “Through the generosity of our Annual Campaign donors, and now with the generous support of Harbin Clinic, our ability to offer high quality and affordable youth sports for all is stronger than ever.”
A long-time supporter of the Rome YMCA, Harbin Clinic has sponsored the basketball program and gymnasium for over 10 years. The expanded partnership will afford new opportunities for young athletes to participate in youth team-based programming during every season. Additionally, the two organizations are exploring joint projects to actively address issues related to health disparities faced by Rome and Floyd County.
Kenna Stock, Chief Executive Officer of states that Harbin is dedicated to strengthening the linkages between traditional healthcare and community-based outreach programs that promote health and well-being.
“Harbin Clinic is proud to partner with the YMCA on this important youth development initiative,” said Stock. “Through our Team up for Health partnership, we are committing to work collaboratively in support of a shared mission for a healthier community. Ensuring sports like soccer and basketball are accessible for children of all backgrounds is incredibly important. Involvement in sports not only provides benefits to physical health – like lower obesity rates and improved cardiovascular and pulmonary function – it also improves overall well-being.”
Playing youth sports has been demonstrated to help students achieve better grades, better attendance, lower dropout rates and a better chance of going to college. Studies also show that students who play sports are less likely to smoke cigarettes or use drugs.
Both the Rome YMCA and Harbin Clinic have worked to improve the health of the community for over 130 years. McCreless and Stock agree that the partnership between the two organizations will help build stronger kids and a stronger community.
“In addition to our sponsorship of the soccer and basketball programs, this partnership allows us to leverage Harbin Clinic’s health expertise and knowledge alongside effective outreach programs already in place at the YMCA,” said Stock. “While we have now formalized the partnership, many Harbin physicians, providers and employees have volunteered in youth programs at the Rome YMCA through the years. As an organization, and as individuals, we hold the same values as the Rome YMCA of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in all that we do.”
