Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Community Action Partnership tackle childhood obesity
February 23, 2009 - In order to reduce obesity rates among low-income children and families, the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area and its national organization, the Community Action Partnership, will be collaborating with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation on its Healthy Choices Healthy Children program. The Partnership will work with the Foundation to customize key aspects of Healthy Choices Healthy Children—which promotes sound nutrition, leadership and good life habits—for a “Healthy Families” approach aimed at lowering obesity.
“Among the myriad of issues facing low-income children, one of the most alarming is the high rate of obesity. This is due to many factors, including lack of access to stores selling healthy foods and safe parks for exercising,” said Tim Donnellan, President and CEO of the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area. “The bright side is that the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation recognizes the problem and has developed a proactive approach to combat it. The Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area is honored to be a part of this critical initiative.”
On February 6, the Community Action Partnership national office signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation to begin work on this initiative and other activities that can benefit communities and families served by Partnership members—Community Action Agencies across the country that fight poverty on the local level.
“Community Action and the Healthy Choices Healthy Children program were a natural fit due to our commitments to improving the lives of low-income people,” said Don Mathis, President and CEO of the Community Action Partnership. “Our Community Action Agencies work daily with children and families living in poverty, and we want to ensure that they are healthy, productive, and able to reach their full potential. It just made sense that we would work together on this.”
Working on the grassroots level, Donnellan has seen first hand how programs such as Healthy Choices Healthy Children are a crucial first step to helping low-income children build a better future. “Here in Dayton and across the country, so many families are struggling to make ends meet, and one of the first things that are sacrificed is good nutrition,” he said. “And there is the stress kids feel when they know their parents are struggling financially.” Healthy Choices Healthy Children is a great way for them to escape the pressures they’re feeling and learn new techniques for improving their lives. I commend the Ripken Foundation for establishing such a program—and who better to spearhead this than Cal Ripken, one of the most dedicated and accomplished sports figures and role models of our time.”
Based in Washington, DC, the Community Action Partnership is the national association representing the interests of the 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the country that are helping low-income people change their lives and embody the spirit of hope. CAAs care about the entire community and are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. For more information about the Partnership and CAAs, visit the association's website at www.communityactionpartnership.com.
Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area was established as a nonprofit corporation in December 1964, with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act. Since 1964, we have provided opportunities for low-income individuals and families to lead more productive lives through advocacy efforts, education, job training, employment and the provision of safe and affordable housing. This agency is honored to be affiliated with the National Community Action Partnership, an organization that represents the interests of more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies across the United States dedicated to the eliminating poverty and promoting self-sufficiency among low-income persons and their families.
