Building healthier lives and brighter futures for young adults.
A YMCA of the Palm Beaches program for ages 18 to 25
No cost to you!
Lake Worth, Palm Beach County
About the program
Someone in your corner from day one
Healthy Connections gives young adults the coaching and the resources to build a successful future. You join the YMCA at no cost, meet with wellness staff who get to know your goals, and get connected to the support you need along the way.
The program offers personalized wellness coaching in fitness and nutrition, plus support services through trusted community partners. It also covers no-cost essentials like transportation and meal assistance, all shaped around your goals, your pace, and your needs.
At the heart of Healthy Connections is our wellness staff. Every team member is committed to building genuine relationships and making sure each participant has someone in their corner. That commitment shows up in every conversation, every session, and every win along the way.
Your Path
Four steps, at your pace
Everyone starts in the same place and moves forward when they are ready. There is no clock on any step.
Get Steady
First we handle what gets in the way. Transportation, food, housing, and mental health support when requested, through trusted partners across the county.
Build the Habit
You train with staff until the gym feels like yours. Workouts, nutrition guidance, and body composition scans track what is changing.
Move Forward
Career guidance, education support, workforce development, and guided support matched to the goals you set.
Stay Connected
The program ends, but your place here does not. Stay part of the Y community, check in with staff when you need to, and keep the routine you built along with transportation and meal assistance.
Moving forward does not mean losing support. Help with transportation, food, and
other essentials continues no matter which step you are on.
What You Get
Included for every participant
A full YMCA membership
Free access to the gym, fitness classes, and the aquatics center for as long as you are in the program.
Personal wellness coaching
One-on-one guidance from wellness staff who know your name, your goals, and where you are headed. How to work out and how to eat well, simplified. Your plan and your progress live in an app you keep.
Career and education support
When you are ready, we connect you to career guidance, job readiness, education, and mentoring through partners across the county. You set the goal, we make the introduction, and we follow up.
Support Beyond the Gym
Trusted partners across Palm Beach County
Tell your coach what you need. We make the introduction, and we follow up to make sure it happened.
- Career guidance
- Education Support
- Mental health
- Transportation
- Workforce development
- Guided support
- Money management
- Food and meal assistance
In the news
Featured in Florida Weekly
In its July 30, 2026 Palm Beach edition, Florida Weekly profiled Healthy Connections and the young adults it serves, from a formerly homeless 19-year-old who found housing and went back to school to a participant who went from no resume to a job and a cybersecurity program at FAU.
"They begin to realize they're capable of more than they ever thought possible."
- Jeff DeMario, Vita Nova, a Healthy Connections partner
What Participants Say
"
The tools here go beyond workouts and nutrition. I'm more organized at work, I follow through on my goals, and I handle stress better. Taking care of my health helped me take care of everything else.
Program Participant
"
I used to think I had to figure everything out alone. This program surrounded me with people who actually showed up and taught me how to be my best self.
Program Participant
Meet the Team
You will know exactly who to call
Zachary Lipson
Healthy Connections Coordinator
Zachary runs the program and is the first person you talk to. A Wellness Navigator works alongside him on the floor, coaching sessions and keeping your plan on track.
561.508.4024
Where to Find Us
YMCA of the Palm Beaches
at Palm Beach State College
4200 S. Congress Ave
Lake Worth, FL 33461