GREATER SCRANTON YMCA TO WELCOME TWO RENOWNED YOUTH SPEAKERS TO ANNUAL HEALTHY KIDS DAY EVENT

Taes Leavitt and Kelley Perotti will offer free speaking events for children in the greater Scranton region.

DUNMORE, 04/25/2023 – As part of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s annual Healthy Kids Day® event on May 6th, and in conjunction with the Y’s Wellbeing Initiative, two renowned youth speakers – Taes Leavitt and Kelley Perotti – will offer motivational words to children and families in attendance. Taes Levitt will speak at 11:30 a.m. in Gym B and Kelly Perotti will speak at 12:15 p.m. in Gym B.

Taes Leavitt is a two-time Juno award winner. She has spent the last 15 years creating empowering television and stage content for kids as one half of the musical duo, Splash’N Boots. Her goal is to empower kids to move confidently through their big feelings. Her research has revealed that the number one thing that holds people back is not knowing how to navigate big feelings— such as bullying, failure, guilt, sadness, and heartbreak. Her knowledge of children’s entertainment, combined with developmental psychology and mindfulness practices, has led to the creation of her program, which is approved by pediatricians and psychologists.

When Kelley Perotti was invited to attend a martial arts class, little did she know it would genuinely change the course of her life. Now, Kelly Perotti is a two-time black belt, two-time Masters World Champion and an advocate for kindness and resilience. She is an elementary school motivational speaker focusing on the life-changing power of kindness. Kelley holds a 5th-degree black belt in martial arts, is a 1st-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, holds a World Title, and owns her own martial arts studio where she trains hundreds of students to strive for greatness.

“At a time where our mental and emotional health has never been more important, social emotional learning is a critical component for the development of our youth,” said Kevin Whelley, Director of the Wellbeing Initiative, Greater Scranton YMCA. “In 2021, 1 in 5 adolescents experienced a major depressive episode within the previous 12 months, and those numbers are likely only increasing. Social emotional learning teaches children how to identify their emotions and develop empathy and the skills and needed for improved self-control and stress management. Increased emotional intelligence allows our children to be more engaged students, better friends and/or siblings and more resilient in the face of day-to-day stressors.”

The Y’s Wellbeing Initiative offers the Greater Scranton YMCA, and our community, a myriad of opportunities to enhance and support their emotional and mental health and wellness.

We do this through a combination of educational and awareness programming, specialized instruction, social-emotional learning, workshops and seminars and community collaborations. The Wellbeing Initiative was made possible thanks to Community Project Funding from Congressman Cartwright’s Office. Programs are offered at the Greater Scranton YMCA, Greater Carbondale YMCA, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA and Wayne County YMCA. Programs are free for Y members and non-members.

Sponsored by Eggland’s Best, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to turn fun and play into lifelong memories. Some featured activities include a Kids Fun Run that kicks-off at 10:30 a.m., vendor fair, petting zoo, rides, bounce houses, entertainment and more. The celebration will run from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.

Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Community Bank, Matrix Fitness, TOPP Business Solutions, Cal Mal Vending Services, Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, NET Credit Union and Rainey & Rainey CPAs.

For more information about Healthy Kids Day, contact Brandon Whipple at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@gsymca.org or visit the Y online at https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/special-events/. For more information about the Y’s Wellbeing Initiative, contact Kevin Whelley at (570) 774-392-0911 or kwhelley@gsymca.org or visit https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/wellbeing-initiative/.
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide
opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

www.greaterscrantonymca.org

About Eggland’s Best Eggs
Eggland’s Best is the #1 branded egg in the U.S. and is an excellent source of Vitamins D, B12, E, B5 and riboflavin. Eggland’s Best eggs have six times more Vitamin D, more than double the Omega-3s, 10 times more Vitamin E and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. Eggland’s Best’s hens are fed a strictly controlled proprietary, high-quality all-vegetarian diet, which results in a better-tasting, more nutritious egg that stays fresher longer. For more information, visit www.egglandsbest.com.