Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Health Foundation of South Florida Support 7,000 Kids in Local Afterschool Programs

(MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLA.) April 3, 2014 – Health Foundation of South Florida (HFSF) awarded $99,000 to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to continue their support of childhood obesity prevention efforts in Miami-Dade County out-of-school time programs. The Alliance’s Healthy Out-of-School Time initiative helps providers create environments for young people where healthy eating and physical activity options are accessible and encouraged. This two-year grant complements the more than $700,000 the Health Foundation awarded since 2008 to support the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program throughout South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties.

The Alliance’s Healthy-Out-of-School Time initiative reaches around 7,000 kids in over 80 Miami-Dade County out-of-school time sites. Out-of-school time settings, the places where kids spend their time before school, after school, and during summer and other breaks, often serve children most at risk for being overweight. The additional funding from HFSF will allow the Alliance to extend its training and coaching to a greater number of local Miami-Dade out-of-school time providers and make a more lasting impact.

The Alliance now reaches more than 32,000 kids among 365 out-of-school time providers in eight communities, including Little Rock, Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade County, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Sacramento County and the Washington, DC Metro Area. By utilizing the Alliance’s continuous improvement process and evidence-based tools, resources and professional development opportunities, organizations are able to improve access to healthier foods, increase physical activity opportunities, and engage in positive youth development.

“We are thrilled to have the continued support of the Health Foundation of South Florida,” said Howell Wechsler, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “South Florida is truly a leader in the community health promotion movement and the Alliance is grateful that we’ll be able to deepen our engagement with Miami-Dade County out-of-school time providers.”

According to Health Foundation of South Florida Chairman Richard Laviña, “Supporting essential programs, like the Alliance’s Healthy Out-of-School Time initiative, advances efforts to improve the health of underserved individuals and families.”

“If you empower children and let them have a say towards eating healthy and living active, their futures will be even brighter,” says Jeffrey Lagomacini, Education Special Programs Director for the City of Hialeah. “Our partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has positively impacted our children and their families by educating and promoting these important foundations in their lives."

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About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, works to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The Alliance works with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals and families to transform their conditions and systems that lead to healthier children. To learn more and join the movement, visit www.HealthierGeneration.org.

About the Health Foundation of South Florida

Health Foundation of South Florida, a nonprofit grant making organization, is dedicated to improving health in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. By funding providers and supporting programs to promote health and prevent disease, the Foundation makes a measurable and sustainable impact in the health of individuals and families. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $104 million in grants and program support. For more information, please call 305.374.7200, 305.374.7200, or visit the website, www.hfsf.org.

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Shari Gantman
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