Working to Create Healthy Habits
May 5, 2011
PedNet, along with other local organizations, are working towards encouraging healthy habits for low-income individuals in Ward 1 and the Columbia Housing Authority. PedNet believes that healthy habits, formed in childhood, lead to long, happy, and productive lives, supportive communities, and a strong economy. The Healthy Habits grant promotes programs for active transportation (transit, walking, and biking), nutrition and recreation for kids and adults alike.
The main categories are:
- Gardening with the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA)
Planting opportunity or “raised bed” gardens, edible landscaping (fruit trees and berry bushes), and growing worm farms.
- Bicycle Encouragement and Education Programs:
Youth bike programs such as the Moving Ahead Bike Club, Youth Earn-a-Bike Program, and Bike Brigade.
Adult programs include: Adult Earn-a-Bike Program, Confident City Cycling, Errand Bike Program, Rack, Pack and Roll, maintenance clinics, and guided rides.
- Growing the Walking School Bus program with families living at the Columbia Housing Authority to three schools: Grant, West Boulevard, and Parkade.
- Community Wide Recreation Programs:
Introducing families to free or low cost Columbia Parks and Recreation opportunities at the ARC, Armory, spray grounds, Douglas Pool, etc. and transit.
- Adult and Youth Nutrition Programs :
Adult programs will include grocery store tours and nutrition demonstrations.
Child nutrition programs will consist of 14 nutrition classes for the Moving Ahead Program held at the Blind Boone Center.
- Increase activity levels of participants enrolled in Columbia Housing Authority – specifically the Moving Ahead after school program. Grant purchased playground equipment and hired staff to increase physical fitness levels.
All the programs will be free of charge and incentives will be offered to encourage participation. These will include vouchers that can be redeemed for admission to the ARC, local public pools, skating rinks and vouchers for participation in local recreation programs.
Support programs, like “Swim Suit Drives” and a “pull-cart loan” program will be held to provide necessary items to ensure participation.
The programs will:
- Serve the children who are most at risk for being overweight – namely, those living in poverty.
- Reach children at the developmental stage when they are forming health patterns they will carry into adulthood.
- Occur at a time of day when children are likely to be sedentary and eat junk food, if not given other options.
- Take place immediately after the WSB program delivers children back to the neighborhood, so adult supervision will be continuous.
- Provide a safe, supportive environment in which children will feel comfortable trying new activities and building new skills.
- Be led by caring adults who will act as positive role models for children’s health and behavior choices.
For more information, contact PedNet Director of Programs Janet Godon at janet@pednet.org.
