Champions for Healthy Kids 2011
(For Minnesota. Listed by program name, organization and city)
In addition to the 50 community organizations across the country that receive $10,000 Champions for Healthy Kids grants, the General Mills Foundation also recognizes the work of Minnesota nonprofits. This year the Foundation is pleased to provide $10,000 grants to 17 Minnesota organizations working to improve child and youth nutrition and physical fitness. These local programs are investing in our youth and their families to help them achieve a long-lasting healthy lifestyle. General Mills sponsors these grants in partnership with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the President’s Council on Sports, Physical Fitness, and Nutrition.
Here are the recipients of the 2011 Minnesota Champions for Healthy Kids grants:
Alexandria Area Young Men’s Christian Association
Active & Healthy Kids & Families
Alexandria, Minn.
The Active & Healthy Kids & Families gardening program engages children in all aspects of gardening from planting and harvesting produce to preparing healthy meals. Sponsored by the Alexandria Area Young Men’s Christian Association, an advisory team of local experts develops lesson plans on physical activity and nutrition for children ages 2-14. Under the direction of a fitness expert, children participate in structured moderate to vigorous physical activity 30-60 minutes 3-5 times a week. Children can also participate in a service learning project sharing produce with other families, making food shelf donations, and selling produce at a farmers market. Proceeds will be donated to third world youth hunger efforts and used to purchase seeds and materials for the following year's garden. To learn more go to www.alexandriaymca.com
Asian Media Access Inc
Project PHILIP - Physical Health Initiative through Leaping, Inhalation & Popping
Minneapolis, Minn.
Project PHILIP in Minneapolis is an Asian American & Pacific Islander Physical Health Initiative working with youth who are struggling with weight issues. Project PHILIP incorporates Asian cultural pride and peer support as a source of strength and integrity to help young people live healthy lives. Fun, cultural activities are designed to engage youth such as Leaping (a traditional Asian dance), Inhalation (Kung Fu), and Popping (Hip Hop dance). Youth ages 7-18 can form peer groups, exercise together, develop good nutrition habits and physical exercise routines, and encourage one another. To learn more go to http://www.amamedia.org
Bolder Options
Expanding Healthy Habits Program in North Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minn.
Bolder Options is expanding its Healthy Habits program to serve an increasing number of at-risk youth in North Minneapolis. The program pairs youth with a mentor who supports them in setting and accomplishing healthy lifestyle goals. Participants can run, bike, complete community rides or races, and attend educational meetings on health, nutrition, and fitness. The end results are youth who maintain lifelong healthy habits, have increased positive behaviors that carry across to school, and set goals for the future. To learn more go to http://www.bolderoptions.org >
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Leech Lake Area, Inc
Health Habits Program
Cass Lake, Minn.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Leech Lake Area provide young people a place to belong and a chance to learn and grow. Many of these youth may have unhealthy lifestyles that put them at risk for obesity and other health problems. Healthy Habits teaches young people how to understand nutrition and make better food choices for eating smart. The program encourages members to participate in physical activities for the health of their growing bodies and the fun of staying fit. Youth are encouraged to take small steps towards positive, lifelong behavior change. To learn more go to www.bgcleechlake.com
District 840 Foundation - St. James Public Schools
Watonwan County Community Education/After School Programs
St. James, Minn.
Watonwan County is working to address the increasing number of children who are overweight and at risk of developing chronic disease. The county has a 10 percent poverty rate, the highest per capita Latino population in Minnesota, and over 50 percent of school children qualify for free or reduced lunch. In addition, over 15 percent of children in each grade have higher than average BMIs. Partnering with the District 840 Foundation in St. James, Watonwan County will implement before and after school SPARK programs with nutrition and cooking education for at-risk K-3rd graders and their families. To learn more go to www.stjames.k12.mn.us
Family Career and Community Leaders of America
FCCLA Activates Youth Energy!
Roseville, Minn.
Family Career and Community Leaders of America encourages youth leaders to use their dynamic energy to model the way in helping their peers make healthy choices. Located in Roseville, the program uses a “train the trainer” model of peer education. Part of a state-wide program, teens receive training to develop activities, do peer teaching and develop age appropriate games, posters, school clubs and assemblies. The program helps children and their families learn how to be more active and fit and to make healthy food choices. To learn more go to www.mnfccla.org
Fremont Community Health Services, Inc
Family F.I.T. Force
Minneapolis, Minn.
The Family F.I.T. Force in Minneapolis offers nutrition and fitness activities for children from age 3-5 and their caregivers. Working in partnership with Head Start, Cooking Matters, and Minneapolis Community Education, Family F.I.T. Force helps families learn about basic nutrition, healthy meal planning, and the importance of physical exercise. To combat childhood obesity and its link to chronic disease, the program provides family-centered, community-based programming to encourage young children to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits for a lifetime of good health. To learn more go to www.neighborhoodhealthsource.org
Illusion Theater and School, Inc
Ready Set Action
Minneapolis, Minn.
Ready Set Action helps youth in urban and rural settings develop healthy eating and exercise habits along with a healthy body image. The program was developed, piloted, and tested by Illusion Theater and the U of MN Department of Epidemiology to address the alarming rates of childhood obesity. Using Illusion’s model prevention/education theater techniques, with take-home family activities, youth become more aware of the importance of regular physical activity. Participants can practice dance and movement exercises and teach choreography and movement games to others. To learn more go to www.illusiontheater.org
InnerCity Tennis Foundation
Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center
Minneapolis, Minn.
Kidspeed and the InnerCity Tennis Foundation in Minneapolis are working to address the issues of childhood obesity. The program works with children and youth ages 3-14 to help them develop healthy attitudes toward physical fitness and good eating habits. Participants develop age-appropriate physical skills such as eye-hand coordination and balance through a specially designed series of physical activity stations. This program is provided free of charge to Minneapolis Head Start programs, charter schools, and community after school programs and is also available every Saturday from Sept - April at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center. To learn more go to www.innercitytennis.org.
Itasca County Family Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc
Camp Plant to Plate
Grand Rapids, Minn.
Camp Plant to Plate is utilizing a gardening program to help reduce the risk of chronic disease suffered by children in Grand Rapids. Obesity among children in Itasca County is higher than the statewide average according to the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Public Health. The program helps children learn about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity and increases their opportunities for incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into their diet. Kids learn how to prepare healthy snacks using foods from the garden. Camp Plant to Plate also teaches the importance of physical activity and fun ways kids can make it part of their daily routine. To learn more go to www.ymcaitasca.org
Parents in Community Action
Healthy Kids, Healthy Families
Minneapolis, Minn.
Parents in Community Action works with Minneapolis area Head Start staff to provide low-income children with simple, healthy foods and physical activities. This program provides resources for parents and families to make healthier snack choices by providing each child with take-home ingredients and instructions for parents to replicate good nutrition habits at home. Parents in Community Action will reach out to 450 children and their families in North Minneapolis. Head Start staff and parents will learn fun physical activities they can share with their children. To learn more go to http://www.picaheadstart.org
Partnership Plan for Stillwater Area Public Schools
Kids Lead the Way
Stillwater, Minn.
Created in response to the Minnesota Idea Open Contest, Kids Lead the Way is a youth-led program for students to create field day activities for their classmates. Working with community partners in Stillwater, a community-wide Field Day is being developed for September with plans to continue the program year round. The goal is to increase fitness and nutritional awareness for youth, their families, and the community. Kids Lead the Way also encourages participants to think beyond the program and help establish additional ideas for their schools and neighborhood. To learn more go to www.partnershipplan.org
Pillsbury United Communities
Families in Motion
Minneapolis, Minn.
Pillsbury United Communities and Families in Motion work to assist families in changing their mindsets about physical activities and nutritional education. The program serves families in North Minneapolis who are traditionally under served and struggle disproportionately with childhood obesity, diabetes, asthma, and other ailments associated with poor nutrition and inadequate physical activities. Events such as Family Fun Night and Family Food Night will increase families’ access to physical activities and expand their knowledge of preparing and consuming nutritional foods. To learn more go to http://www.puc-mn.org
Polk County Public Health
Polk County Health Improvement Program
Crookston, Minn.
Go Local, a Polk County Healthy Improvement Program provides healthy living lessons to NorthStar and Summer Care programs in Crookston. Go Local hopes to increase consumption of nourishing, locally grown fruits and vegetables and physical activity among K-6th grade children at several program sites. On-site gardens along with farm tours will help children understand where their food comes from and how their food choices affect their bodies, the environment, and their community. Youth-friendly lesson plans will focus on nutrition and physical activity. To learn more go to http://www.pcphealth.org
Western Community Action, Inc
Western Community Action Head Start
Marshall, Minn.
Western Community Action Head Start in Marshall aims to reduce the risk of obesity and promote healthy lifestyles among Head Start children and their parents. The program helps families learn about good nutrition, fitness and healthy living. Families receive activity packets, participate in family fun nights, and parents can attend cooking classes sponsored by University of MN Extension. Children take part in classroom structured movement and music activities throughout the school year and learn how MyPyramid can be a guide for healthy eating and exercise. To learn more go to http://www.wcainc.org
Yinghua Academy
Yinghua Academy Student Wellness Initiative
Minneapolis, Minn.
The Yinghua Academy Student Wellness Initiative in Minneapolis supports student wellness by increasing physical activity and improving nutrition. Students and their families receive nutrition education and take part in activities promoting healthy snacking and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In addition students are encouraged to increase their vigorous and moderate physical activities throughout the day. To learn more go to www.yinghuaacademy.org
Youth Farm and Market Project
Youth-Led Community Based Healthy Eating & Living
Minneapolis, Minn.
The Youth Farm and Market Project in Minneapolis engages urban youth and their families in healthy eating and living on a community level. The program is expanding its free Monthly Community Dinners in several neighborhoods. The dinners are designed to be nutritionally balanced and healthful. Families learn how to adopt good nutrition habits as well as physical activity into their lives. The program hopes to expand to other neighborhoods in the next three years to reach an additional 300 youth. To learn more go to www.youthfarm.net
