GCBC Youth Organization

The funds awarded would be used to (a) promote our Fitness & Fun program by way of flyers, posters and social media to attract more participants.  (b) Having additional funds would enable us to take our program “on the road” – opposed to just offering the program to local people within our community.  (c) Funds would be appropriated for stipends to give to people who assist us with set-up & coordination at program event sites.  (d) Funds would be used to buy supplies for “Jumpy Kits” which are given to children who participate in our Jump2It Fitness & Fun sessions.  Jumpy Kits consist of:  jump ropes, Tshirts, Certificates of Completion, exercise CD’s & at home progress charts.   While children are eager & delighted to participate in our Fitness & Fun Jump Rope program events – it’s counterproductive that they don’t have jump ropes to take home with them so that they can continue jumping rope at home.  In consensus, having additional funding would allow us to greatly expand our program in several critical and highly impactful ways. 

GCBC Youth Program’s mission is to educate, enlighten and empower youth about preserving the two most important assets in their lives which is their physical & mental health.  Our Fitness and Fun Program inspires and motivates kids to get off their devices and get moving.  The program offers dancercise (aerobics based dance) and yoga, but the focal point of fitness program teaches jump rope for health.  Jumping rope is an all-inclusive exercise since it benefits the heart, weight and every body part. Our colorful, energetic mascot, “Jumpy” gets kids moving with jump rope sessions they can do during the program and continue at home.  After the fitness session, kids receive a Certificate of Completion, a jump rope, T-shirt, exercise CD & progress chart to record their exercising progress. 

Due to the increased use of “smart” devices, children have become more sedentary.  Consequently, childhood obesity rates have increased dramatically which is exacerbated by doctors reporting that young children are now suffering from “adult” diseases such as high blood pressure & diabetes.  Our goal is to help children learn, understand & value their health while they’re still young so that they will develop life-long habits that will help them be healthy adults.

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, putting children and adolescents at risk for poor health. Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is still too high.

For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years:

• The prevalence of obesity was 18.5%. About 13.7 million children and adolescents had obesity.
• Obesity prevalence was 13.9% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 18.4% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 20.6% among 12- to 19-year-olds.
• Childhood obesity is more common among certain populations.
  • Hispanic (25.8%) and non-Hispanic Black children (22.0%) had higher obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic White children (14.1%).
  • Non-Hispanic Asian children (11.0%) had lower obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanic children.

INFORMATION SOURCE:  CDC CHILDHOOD OBESITY FACTSHEET

Children are not particularly prone to exercising on their own.  Our colorful, energetic & kid friendly mascot, "Jumpy" has the persona & appeal to get kids attention and encourage them to engage in fitness activities that are so much fun that the kids don't realize that they are actually exercising. Kids of all ages love "Jumpy" & they are eager to jump rope with Jumpy.

Another unique approach is the nutritional segment of our fitness program  called “Be in the Mood 4 Good Food” which increases children’s awareness about the importance of eating healthy and nutritional foods.  Our “Treats2Eat” segment teaches kids how to choose healthy snacks instead of chips, cookies, candy and soda by hosting sessions where kids make their own snacks (made from natural & organic ingredients) & allowing them to make their own packaging & naming their products - which also gives them a sense of accomplishment. 
 

We are teaching important lifestyle habits to young people that will have ultimately have a life-long impact.  We believe that if we can instill good health habit into children's minds while they are young, they will maintain these habits into adulthood.  As the rate of childhood obesity & the illnesses & disorders associated with obesity increases & is exacerbated by increased use of "smart" devices, we believe we have to be even more diligent in educating children on the importance of taking care of & valuing their health.   

As well, parents seeing their kids engage in ongoing exercise activities may, perhaps encourage their parents to join in as well; essentially providing the groundwork for healthy activity that benefits the whole family unit.