The article kicks off a series of blog posts featuring each of the individuals and/or organizations selected for the National AfterSchool Association’s Most Influential in Health and Wellness for afterschool.
The Walking Classroom proudly sponsored the competition because of our strong belief in the value of afterschool programs and the importance of promoting healthier lifestyles for kids.
Selections were made by NAA based on strong advocacy for and support of health and wellness in afterschool. Those selected represent individuals and organizations whose service, action, and leadership align with and support the NAA Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards and affect large numbers of youth, families, or afterschool professionals.
Our first honoree is:
Afterschool Alliance
Washington, D.C.
afterschoolalliance.org
The Afterschool Alliance works to ensure that all youth have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. Their mission is to engage public will to increase public and private investment in quality afterschool program initiatives at the national, state, and local levels.
Their goals are:
- To be an effective voice for afterschool in efforts to expand quality afterschool programs.
- To serve as an information source on afterschool programs and resources.
- To encourage the development of local, state and national afterschool constituencies and systems.
- To communicate the impact of afterschool programs on children, families and communities.
We at Dubuque Iowa After School programming have used Walking Classroom as well. Students love it!
I am meeting with our team from Loras College who are implementing it next week to observe and get details on how things are going. But the site lead there has said it is going very well.
Our site lead in the Peosta program has also implemented it and the kids can’t wait to get it back after the Loras team is finished with it during the last two weeks of programming!
Great opportunity for our “at risk” students who have limited resources beyond school.