In an effort to expand physical activity and excite students, parents, faculty and staff about healthy eating, we’ve joined forces with Baptist Health South Florida to design and launch the first United Way of Miami-Dade designated Healthy Eating Active Living (H.E.A.L.) initiative.
The program kicked-off with a celebration at Wesley Matthews Elementary which included a “walking school bus,” where students and teachers – dressed as their favorite green veggies or healthy snacks – walked about a half mile to school. Once they arrived, they took part in a fun dance activity and parents were invited to stay for a healthy breakfast with the school’s principal, Dr. Deborah Darbonne.
In 2016, we challenged local health agencies to partner with schools and help establish a school-based “culture of health and wellness” that encourages, emphasizes and enhances health and wellness among children, teachers and their families. The new initiative includes physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, financial and environmental factors reducing the prevalence of toxic stress that wreaks havoc on all aspects of health.
By reaching out a caring hand to help children, parents and teachers eat healthy and stay active, we’re transforming lives and building a #StrongerMiami.