Registration for the second session of fall classes at Kosciusko Community YMCA starts on Oct. 15 for Members and on Oct. 22 for everyone. Classes run from Oct. 29 to Dec. 23.

In addition to all the fitness classes and water aerobics classes for adults to get involved in at the Y, coming up this fall there are several special events.

Let’s Get Technical offers basic instruction on a set topic related to technology each month. Participants will learn while connecting with others in a social setting.  The class is open to anyone of any age who needs help with the topic of the month.  Oct. 15 the topic is Facebook, Nov. 19 is Microsoft Excel/Word and Dec. 17 will revisit Facebook.

The class meets at 10 a.m. or at 2 p.m. Contact Steven Kuhn at 574-269-9622 with questions.

In partnership with the Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition, Sensational Cessation class will be offered from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 31 at the Y this fall to help adult tobacco users quit the habit, using a diet and exercise program.

Participants of the class will receive a workbook for guidance during and after the class, diet information and instruction to help with a diet that will help control weight while quitting, stress release techniques to help overcome the urge to use tobacco and exercise instruction to help establish a program to help with cardiopulmonary recovery. Contact Stacy Thomas at 574-269-9622 with questions.

The Spooktacular 5k race will be for all ages on Oct. 27. The race starts and finishes across the street from the Y. Costumes for this race are encouraged and an award for the best costume will be given.

The Spooktacular 5k is a fundraiser for the Y’s Annual Community Support Campaign, which provides funds for their Financial Assistance program. At the Y, strengthening community is the cause. Financial assistance keeps the Y available for kids and families who need the Y the most.

The Y counts on the generosity of members and the community to support the financial assistance given. Through September 2012, the Kosciusko Community YMCA provided $92,451.96 in financial assistance to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.  Contact Tonya Douglass at 574-269-9622 with any questions.

The Kosciusko Community YMCA will again be offering Spanish classes for adults.  The classes, taught by Benjamin Navarro, Professor of Spanish at Grace College for 16 years, have been a huge success. Each person has a different reason for participating, but most reasons tie back into what the Y is all about.

As a provider of programs that develop healthy spirit, mind and body, life-long learning fits right in. The Y’s cause of strengthening the community makes it a perfect resource for building community despite language barriers. In addition, one of the hopes of the class was that it would be an opportunity for those traveling on mission trips to learn a basic level of Spanish to better communicate with those they are serving. Equipping our members to serve others is also a focus of the Y.

This basic course, offering introductory Spanish in progressive levels, uses music, stories and conversation to teach participants to listen, speak, read and write.  Practice outside of class is strongly encouraged.

One of the first participants in the class, Joan says, “I take the class because my mom has dementia and by keeping my mind active, I’m hoping to keep the cobwebs away. You have to keep learning or you risk wasting the mind God has given you. I love the class; Professor Navarro has such a heart for the Lord and sharing the Spanish language and culture.”

The Y is an advocate for lifelong learning.

Spanish 2, for those with some previous experience or who have taken the Spanish 1 course, will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Nov. 1 through Dec. 20.

Spanish 3 will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Oct. 29 to Dec. 10. Contact Summer Zimmer 574-269-9622 with any questions.

A “Keeping Kids Safe” workshop will be offered by The League of American Bicyclists to instruct parents how to teach their kids how to safely ride a bike, including safety checks, helmet fitting and bike sizing.  Keeping Kids Safe will be offered on November 13, 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Contact Stacy Thomas at 269-9622 with questions.

You don’t have to be a member of the Y to participate in these classes or events, although Y members get a discounted price. Registration is going on now, online at www.kcymca.org or at either of the YMCA locations.

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. All the efforts and offerings of the Kosciusko Community YMCA are guided by the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.