American Beverage Association Blog ? Blog Archive ? Teamwork ...

Today in Chicago, we joined our colleagues at the Illinois Beverage Association to announce our support for the Rauner Family YMCA Youth Initiative that will promote healthy lifestyles through wellness education and leadership programs for at-risk youth.

The Rauner Family YMCA?s Youth Initiative engages youth ages seven to 17 from Chicago?s Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, Little Village, McKinley Park and Pilsen neighborhoods. The Initiative?s focus is to engage at-risk youth in a safe and healthy learning environment, improve academic performance and battle childhood obesity.

The Initiative is comprised of three programs: C.H.A.T. Club, Teen REACH and Strong Kids.

• C.H.A.T. Club (Creating Healthy Attitudes Together) engages youth ages 8-12 in developing a positive self-image with an emphasis on improving academic performance and healthy lifestyles.

• Teen REACH targets a primarily Latino, at-risk youth population in Rauner?s surrounding communities who are brought into the program because they have leadership potential. The goal of Teen REACH is to expand the range of choices and opportunities that enable, empower and encourage youth to achieve positive growth and development, improve expectations and capacities for future success, and avoid and/or reduce risk-taking behavior.

• Strong Kids is a program designed to address the rising health concerns and obesity rates among today?s youth. The program is dedicated to enhancing physical fitness levels, increasing health and nutritional knowledge, improving academic grades and increasing youths? self-esteem and social skills in a healthy, fun and safe learning environment.

In a ceremonious presentation, the beverage folks were joined by State Senator Tony Munoz, State Representative Eddie Acevedo, Alderman Danny Solis, Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele and other community leaders to announce the grant.

This partnership builds on the longstanding commitment of the beverage industry to be responsible and active participants in communities across the country, just like Chicago.? Congratulations to the Rauner Family YMCA, the Illinois Beverage Association and everyone who helped make this partnership happen!

Source: http://www.ameribev.org/blog/2012/03/teamwork-that%E2%80%99s-the-way-you-do-it/

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