In 2008, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance partnered in the development of Healthy U - a program aimed at preventing childhood obesity through improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and parental involvement.
Healthy U was created as collaboration between the Foundation and the Alliance to help kids and their families better understand proper nutrition and the health benefits of staying physically active. The Middletown Township school district, with support from The Community YMCA, is among the first and largest in the state to incorporate Healthy U into their daily curriculum.
Healthy U, impacting more than 46,000 children - ages 3 to 13 - at over 500 YMCA and elementary school sites statewide. The Healthy U program impacts children in preschool settings, after-school programs and through in-school curriculum. Healthy U uses the evidenced-based and award-winning CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum, proven to prevent childhood obesity. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has invested nearly $5 million in Healthy U and recently committed an additional $1.25 million for program support through the next four years. The next phase of Healthy U will impact over 70,000 children ages 3-13 plus their family members through 2019.
The YMCA of MEWSA will have CATCH activities for members to participate in during their kick off events in all their afterschool programs. The Y will provide healthy recipes and share nutritional information throughout the events. This year, children in the programs will receive a Healthy U t-shirt along with a wellness pamphlet from the Horizon Foundation.
The goal is for all children in the programs to become healthy and stay healthy! The YMCA of MEWSA programs will be hosting annual Healthy U kick off along with our Annual Lights on After School Events the week of October 19-23. Families who are not currently enrolled are welcomed to stop by and gather information about School Age Child Care, Healthy U and many other exciting opportunities the YMCA offers. Activities will take place from 4:30pm to 6pm; call the program location for details.
For more information about YMCA of MEWSA Healthy U programs, please visit http://www.ymcaofmewsa.org/programs or contact Ebony Henderson at ebony.henderson@ymcaofmewsa.org or (732) 516-2095.
Contact:
Ebony Henderson, Executive Assistant
YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy
732-516-2095
ebony.henderson@ymcaofmewsa.org