Seventy-six community leaders from across the San Joaquin Valley are the first graduates of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Leadership Program and will be honored at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23, in the Satellite Student Union at California State University, Fresno.
The community leaders completed 12 months of intense classes, while participating in community projects aimed at improving opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy, affordable food for children and families. The projects grew out of environmental and policy challenges that made it difficult for children and families to eat healthy and be physically active.
“We are overjoyed to be able to celebrate the graduates’ rite of passage and their commitment to addressing childhood obesity,” said Gilda Zarate-Gonzalez, project coordinator for the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative in the Valley.
The initiative is housed under the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP) at California State University, Fresno. The leadership program is part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s national initiative to eliminate childhood obesity by 2020.
“Sunday’s ceremony represents a powerful movement building. It will serve as a celebration of ’new ideas’ that the participants can share with others throughout the region and nationwide,” she added.
Alma Martinez, a reporter with Radio Bilingue, is master of ceremonies and guest speaker. Francisco Arguelles from Colectivo Flatlander will discuss how the leaders can enhance their leadership and advocacy efforts around social justice issues, such as healthy-food access and physical activity opportunities.
“Many of the community leaders are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers and other concerned community members, who want to see a healthier future generation of children and communities,” said Zarate-Gonzalez. “During our next cohort, we hope to see the same type of committed individuals adding to the movement of creating healthier communities.”
For more information, contact: Brandie Banks-Bey at 559.228.2144 or 559.994.3189.
Related links:
