The Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Health Foundation of South Florida’s Support for Healthy Afterschool Programs Reaches over 16,000 Youth

Health Foundation awards additional $160,000 to increase access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity for Miami-Dade County out-of-school time programs

(New York, NY) February 25, 2016–Health Foundation of South Florida (HFSF) awarded $160,000 to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (the Alliance) to continue supporting childhood obesity prevention efforts in Miami-Dade County out-of-school time programs. The Alliance’s Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative helps afterschool programs create environments for young people where healthy eating and physical activity options are accessible and encouraged. This two-year grant complements nearly $900,000 that HFSF has awarded since 2008 to support the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program and Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative throughout South Florida.

The Alliance’s Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative provides out-of-school time programs across the country, particularly those in under-resourced communities, with evidence-based professional development and the processes, tools and resources needed to increase children’s access to healthier foods and physical activity.

More than 145 Miami-Dade County out-of-school time sites have worked with the Alliance since 2013, reaching more than 16,000 children. The additional financial support 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.

“We are grateful for the continued support of the Health Foundation of South Florida, which is critical to sustaining the healthy changes their initial support enabled,” said Howell Wechsler, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “HFSF truly understands the importance of ongoing health promotion, and the Alliance is thrilled to continue our engagement with Miami-Dade County out-of-school time providers.”

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

About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, empowers kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The Alliance works with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals and families to build healthier environments for millions of children. To learn more and join the movement, visit HealthierGeneration.org.

About the Health Foundation of South Florida

Health Foundation of South Florida, a nonprofit organization, improves health through community investments for health promotion and preventive services. With leadership and effective partnerships on a national, state and local level, the Foundation advances the ability of residents in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties to lead healthier lives. Since its founding in 1993, the Foundation has worked with more than 400 organizations and awarded over $113 million. For more information, please call 305.374.7200 or visit www.hfsf.org.