Williamsburg Community Health Foundation

$2.3 Million Grant to Make a Difference for Kids

Williamsburg, VA. – December 30, 2005 – The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation has taken a stand for the children in their hometown. Standing next to this progressive Foundation is Healthy Kids Challenge, a national nonprofit organization, led by a team of registered, licensed dietitians that serve as leadership for healthy change, guiding schools and community programs from coast to coast.

“This is not about pulling all vending from school hallways and expecting that to magically provide better health to students, nor is it about schools being responsible for fighting the obesity epidemic alone. This initiative is about collaboration, creating a healthy school environment that supports students, staff, and families and makes it easier for everyone to practice a healthier lifestyle”, states Vickie L. James, registered and licensed dietitian, and Director of Healthy Kids Challenge. HKC will be leading the effort for school and community change over the next three years, joined by an enthusiastic and committed community coalition and a team of expert evaluators.

S.H.I.P (School Health Initiative Project), will take place throughout the school district and community, following Centers for Disease Control and Health Promotion’s recommended Coordinated School Health model approach. With a design that adds more minutes of motion and activity during the school day, healthier a la cart options in the cafeteria, parent, student, and staff involvement to set personal and team goals, and additional community programs, Williamsburg is making a long range commitment to their children and the future of their community.

WJCC (Williamsburg James City County) Superintendent, Dr. Gary Matthews adds, “It’s the business of schools to remove barriers to learning.” The goal of the wellness plan is to bring about cultural and lifestyle changes in the daily lives of students, staff, and community. Focusing these changes at school is a natural since most youth and many adults spend a high percentage of time at school, or in school related functions.

While this school health initiative has a strong financial basis to get it up and running, the goal is to create capacity and sustainability so that these changes provide new norms in the schools and outreach into the community at large. “We hope this initiative will serve as a model for replication across the country. Small simple changes that can be applied anywhere and everywhere are what will make a difference”, offers Ms. James in an address to the WJCC administrative faculty.