Advance Community (Advance) has been awarded a $35,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support its I Choose Wellness program. Thunderbirds Charities is the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open.
The I Choose Wellness program, designed for under-resourced Latino youth in grades 4-8, offers culturally appropriate lessons on nutrition, physical activity, and oral hygiene. These lessons are designed to inspire youth to improve their health outcomes and address the high prevalence of obesity in their communities. By focusing on these critical areas, the program aims to instill lifelong healthy habits in young people, thereby fostering a healthier future for the entire community. The planned programming includes 10 series of eight sessions each, conducted at Title 1 schools and community centers in Latino communities throughout the Valley.
“We are incredibly grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their support,” said Jeri Royce, CEO of Advance Community. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to provide essential health education and resources to the youth in our community. It will allow us to expand our reach and make a meaningful impact on the lives of many families with the ultimate goal of empowering at-risk youth to change their behaviors to improve their short- and long-term health outcomes.”
Advance’s I Choose Wellness program has already made substantial strides in promoting healthier lifestyles among youth. With this new funding, the program will be able to:
• Expand the reach of its culturally tailored health education sessions.
• Provide more resources and support to participating families.
• Increase the number of community events and workshops focused on healthy living.
• Enhance collaboration with local schools and community organizations to maximize impact.
For more information about Advance Community and the I Choose Wellness program, visit https://advancecommunity.org/.
This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.