JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA CELEBRATES CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH
Kids in the Kitchen initiative brings families interactive education about sound nutrition practices.
McLean, Va.– The Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) will address the issue of childhood obesity by providing educational programming focused on the benefits of healthy eating. This programming will be offered at four area homeless shelters to commemorate October’s Children’s Health Month. Through its Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) initiative, JLNV members will teach children about healthy eating through Healthy Choices, a new interactive hour-long program featuring a related story, discussion, games and craft activity. Meanwhile, parents will have an opportunity to view the documentary “Supersize Me.”
According to a recent report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the childhood obesity rate in Virginia is an astounding 31 percent. The KITK initiative, which is supported by The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., empowers youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the rise of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.
“The alarming childhood obesity rate has far reaching implications for everyone in our community, so the JLNV is taking action to address this issue by engaging the community with Healthy Choices,” said JLNV President Nene Spivy. “We developed this healthy eating curriculum and elected to include it during our October monthly programming in area shelters. We are doing our part to educate children and families about good nutrition, and thus fulfilling our objective to prepare area children for success.”
Last year, JLNV shelter programming enriched the lives of 252 children through its Kids Can self-esteem and character-building programs and 64 children through the My Life photography program. The JLNV will bring its KITK October “Healthy Choices” programming to the following area shelters:
AACH/SKIT
3103 North Ninth Road
Arlington, VA 22201
October 7, 2009
6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Embry Rucker Community Shelter
11975 Bowman Towne DriveReston, VA 20190
October 8, 2009
6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Shelter House
3080 Patrick Henry Drive
Falls Church, VA 22044
October 12, 2009
6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter
13000 Lee HighwayFairfax, VA 22030
October 14, 2009
6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
The Junior League of Northern Virginia
The Junior League of Northern Virginia is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The JLNV is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and member of the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. Seeking to empower women to be a driving force to improve the Northern Virginia community, the JLNV focuses on preparing children in Northern Virginia for success. More information can be found at www.jlnv.org or by calling 703-442-4163.
###
