Youth News
4-H Lands Million Dollar Gift From Walmart Foundation
Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:06:26 CDT
National 4-H Council has been awarded a $1 million grant by the Wal-Mart Foundation to launch Youth Voice: Youth Choice, an exciting national program that encourages young people to develop and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. The program will tackle wellness issues such as nutrition, physical fitness, and safety. This is the first grant to be provided by the Wal-Mart Foundation for the 4-H Healthy Living portfolio.
To fund the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program, 4-H programs in 15 selected states will be awarded $50,000 grants to develop, strengthen, and implement healthy living programs at the community level. 4-H members will work in tandem with land-grant university experts and 4-H volunteers to mobilize other young people and get them excited about living healthy lives. Youth are then empowered to create action plans to share with their county commissioners, school boards, health caucuses, and state legislative offices.
"Health is the fourth 'H' in the 4-H pledge," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council President and CEO. "As a national leader in health-related issues, 4-H is already reaching 2.5 million youth in all 50 states with nutrition and wellness programs, providing opportunities to build confidence and healthier lifestyles. With this generous new grant, we will be able to reach even more young people with these important messages."
"Health and wellness is a focus area for the Wal-Mart Foundation, and we take special care to identify programs with proven impact," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "We are pleased to partner with 4-H on their delivery of high-quality, hands-on programs that boost the physical, social, and emotional well-being of America's youth."
The action plans created by Youth Voice: Youth Choice participants will create sustainable healthy living programs in their local communities, identify and overcome the barriers to healthy living, and raise public awareness for wellness. The programs will also encourage the development of partnerships with local stakeholders and champions to expand the reach of the 4-H Healthy Living program area.
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