Healthy U Spring Symposium Celebrates 10 Years of Impact

Over 100 Healthy U champions and partners from YMCAs and schools from across New Jersey gathered at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on May 18 to celebrate 10 years of community impact. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA was represented with three staff members present, Kate Dudas, James McManus, and Diane McGuinness.

The Healthy U program launched in 2008 as a collaboration between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, with the goal of promoting healthy behavior and preventing childhood obesity through more physical activity, family involvement and nutrition education.

“Over 76,000 children and their families have experienced Healthy U over the past 10 years at 480 YMCA early learning and afterschool sites and 70 schools across the state,” says Sue Cornell, Healthy U Director NJ YMCA State Alliance, “that’s a collective impact that would fill the stands of this stadium.”

At the Spring Symposium, Healthy U was formally presented with the 2017 CATCH® Award for Excellence in State Health. CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) is the nationally-recognized curriculum used in the program. This award recognizes the partnership between the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and its 36 member associations for Healthy U’s efforts to: promote nutrition education and increased physical activity in schools and YMCA childcare settings; advocate for policies that support healthy environments, and convene partners across the state to create a positive collective health impact. Because of the many initiatives made possible by Healthy U, New Jersey kids and families report they are eating more fruits and vegetables, and consuming fewer processed and sugary foods. They are spending more time being physically active and less time in front of screens.

“It is critical to engage parents to get them more involved with their children to learn about good nutrition and the importance of daily exercise,” said Jonathan R. Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “Childhood obesity can and must be overcome and with the support of more than 100 leaders coming together, it is our collective commitment and vast network of health advocates that will help us reach this attainable goal.”

Since Healthy U’s inception in 2008, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has invested more than $4.7 million to sustain the program through 2019. For more information on this program contact the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at 908-889-8880 or Sue Cornell, Healthy U Director, NJ YMCA State Alliance, at sue.cornell@ymca.net or visit www.njymca.org. Follow on social media at @YHealthyU.

About the YMCA

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across New Jersey, YMCAs reach over 550,000 residents including 250,000 children under the age of 18. Ys nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 36 New Jersey communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance brings together New Jersey Ys to better serve the people of New Jersey. Learn more at www.njymca.org.

PHOTO CAPTION

Leaders from CATCH Global Foundation present Healthy U with the 2017 CATCH® Award for Excellence in State Health at the Healthy U 2018 Spring Symposium. Pictured L-R: Sue Cornell, Healthy U Director NJ YMCA State Alliance; Darrin Anderson, Executive Director NJ YMCA State Alliance; Jonathan Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; Duncan Van Dusen, Founding Executive Director of CATCH Global Foundation; George Carmel, President of Flaghouse Inc.; and David Carcieri, President and CEO, Somerset County YMCA and New Jersey YMCA State Alliance President.