Baton Rouge, LA – The Southwest Center for Rural
Initiatives (SCRI), a satellite campus of the Southern University Agricultural
Research & Extension Center housed in Opelousas, has received a grant from
the Walmart Foundation to teach healthy living practices to youth through its
Ambassadors for Healthy Living Program.
Louisiana is one of 21 states approved for funding by Walmart’s 4-H Youth Voice: Youth Choice Program. This year, the foundation donated $2 Million nationally to the program to expand its reach from 15 states to 21, reaching 75,000 at-risk youth and their families with interactive education about nutrition and food security challenges.
The SCRI will provide youth with an understanding and knowledge of the phrase, “healthy living," impart a complete understanding of the importance of healthy living, learn strategies to develop and maintain a healthy eating and physical lifestyle, and become ambassadors of healthy living to encourage family and friends to develop and maintain a healthy eating and physical lifestyle through its Ambassadors for Healthy Living Program. The program will cover the SCRI’s ten parish area of St. Landry, Lafayette, Vermilion, Acadia, St. Martin, Pointe Coupee, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Allen and Evangeline Parishes, as well as, East Baton Rouge and Orleans Parish.
The SCRI will provide youth with an understanding and knowledge of the phrase, “healthy living," impart a complete understanding of the importance of healthy living, learn strategies to develop and maintain a healthy eating and physical lifestyle, and become ambassadors of healthy living to encourage family and friends to develop and maintain a healthy eating and physical lifestyle through its Ambassadors for Healthy Living Program. The program will cover the SCRI’s ten parish area of St. Landry, Lafayette, Vermilion, Acadia, St. Martin, Pointe Coupee, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Allen and Evangeline Parishes, as well as, East Baton Rouge and Orleans Parish.
“Health and happiness are interchangeable. When you
are your healthiest, you are happier in every sense of the word. It is
extremely important for all of us to be healthy, no matter what age! SCRI has
already begun reaching out and improving the health of youth and families in
the community. With this generous grant, we will be able to reach even more
young people so that they can have a healthier lifestyle,” said Youth
Specialist/Director of SCRI, Dr. Wanda Burke.
According to the Child Trends Data Bank, child-aged
food insecurity is associated with a greater risk for being overweight. Food
insecurity can result in lower diet quality and less variety, both of which can
contribute to being overweight and nutritionally deprived. Evaluation results
from the 2011-2012 Youth Voice: Youth Choice program years show that
participating young people reported a higher understanding of nutrition and
physical activity knowledge and an increased active use of that knowledge.
Additionally, participants’ attitudes towards nutrition and physical activity
became more positive and young people showed an improved ability to make
healthy food choices, even in food insecure settings.
Other states receiving the grant including: Alabama,
Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia.
4-H is a community of six million young people
across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H
Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters
located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the USDA.
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to
helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally
and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of
the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core
areas of giving: Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Sustainability, Career
Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment.
For additional information about the Ambassadors for
Healthy Living Program or other programs offered through the Southwest Center
for Rural Initiatives, contact Wanda Burke at 337-943-2410 or email her at wanda_burke@suagcenter.com. Goldie
C. Jordan, Technology/Youth Development Specialist can also be reached at 337-943-2410
or via email at goldie_jordan@suagccenter.com.
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