YWCA of Minneapolis

1130 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403

The goal of the American Indian Families Medical, Nutritional, and Fitness Program to Prevent and Treat Diabetes is to implement a comprehensive strategy to provide medical, nutrition, and fitness interventions to American Indian families living in Hennepin County (with a primary focus on Minneapolis and the neighborhoods of Powderhom and Phillips). The YWCA is the lead agency for the project in a coalition that includes Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, and the Division of Indian Work.

The program provides medical, nutrition and fitness interventions for the entire family when a family member has been either diagnosed with diabetes, or has been identified as having one of the major risk factors for diabetes. Approximately 15 families are recruited each year through programs at the Division of Indian Work. Once identified, the Family Program Coordinator refers the family to the Indian Health Board for screening of all family members and development of a health management plan. The Family Program Coordinator then schedules the family to meet with Personal Trainers at the YWCA. The Personal Trainer conducts an initial fitness assessment with each family member and creates a fitness plan. All participants receive YWCA memberships as part of the program. The family as a whole and each member is monitored on an on-going basis by the Family Program Coordinator and the Personal Trainer to ensure that nutrition, medical, and fitness plans are being followed. Participants are also informed about and encouraged to participate in other program components such as: monthly diabetic education classes; the nutrition/cooking classes conducted in 8-week sessions; group fitness sessions; and monthly family gatherings which offer a healthy, shared meal.