What's Helping:

• Community Need (wanted for a long time)
• More and more kids want to be involved in Rec activities
• Local Government support
• Local Businesses support

What's Hurting:

• Lack of funding
• Lack of land/property to put it on

Turning the Curve: In order to effectively mitigate the causes and effects of unhealthy lifestyles, it is essential that communities implement high-quality obesity prevention programs. We have several in place through schools, after-school programs, medical centers, and other institutions. Here are some examples of organizations and programs we currently host to keep families healthy, especially kids and teens in underinvested communities:

• Offer healthier food and beverage choices overall. Schools can reduce or eliminate sugary beverage options and instead offer a variety of drinking water choices. They can also ensure that the food available on campus (in the cafeteria, snack machines, etc.) more closely matches US nutrition standards.
• Educate students about healthy diets. Schools are arguably the best place for teaching kids about the many benefits of a whole food plant-based diet. Education centered around eating fewer processed foods and more produce can reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, provide fiber, reduce the risk of cancer—and help kids maintain a healthy weight.
• Promote wellness and physical activity. In addition to offering high-quality physical education programs, schools can encourage wellness through PSA-style messaging and by designing school contests and challenges around exercise.
• Encourage participation among low-income children and teens. After-school programs through the YMCA actively recruit students for participation, and may be able to waive fees for low-income students. This can help to keep students engaged, help them build new skills, increase their self-esteem, and live healthier lives.
• Find creative ways to promote good health. After-school sports naturally encourage healthy physical activity, but can also teach athletes about how a healthy diet improves individual and team performance. Even non-sports-related activities and clubs can find creative ways to promote good eating habits and fun forms of exercise.

The Mitchell Community Health Partnership has collaborated with several other agencies to make sure high-quality education, healthcare, and other support systems are put in place.  Every agency is extremely important for helping people prepare for a bright future. Our goal is to provide opportunities for youth and young adults of lower socioeconomic status to equip themselves with the tools needed to lift themselves out of poverty and violence, fueling a healthy lifestyle.