National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month wraps up this week and things are busy here at DC SCORES.
This past Friday, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge invited us to participate at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference for a Fitness Break led by Donna Richardson-Joyner, a member of the President’s Council of Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. The Thomson DC SCORES team rose to the challenge and helped Richardson-Joyner lead the crowd through various exercise and dance steps to get them moving and energized.
The Fitness Break took place before a forum called “Is Black America Fit for Life” featuring a panel of experts including Audrey Rowe of the USDA, Dr. Ron Henderson of the National Education Association, and R&B songstress Monica, who is also a Hunger Advocate for Feeding America.
To start the forum, Congresswoman Fudge presented the shocking statistics we unfortunately know all too well. Across the U.S., African Americans have the most alarming obesity rates — as high as 35% in some states. Among children, African American girls have the highest obesity rats at nearly 30%.
Congressman Fudge stressed that schools can play a critical role in fighting childhood obesity — and that is where DC SCORES comes in.
On average, public schools provide about 45 minutes of PE per week. DC SCORES provides six times that amount after school.
Further, as Bill Turque pointed out on his Washington Post blog yesterday, many schools, particularly those outside of Ward 3, lack sports teams and other extracurricular activities that keep kids active and engaged.
We have seen the need for DC SCORES in the neighborhoods we serve. That is why we are proud to announce a new initiative to bring our unique program to more schools in DC.
In partnership with the American Beverage Association and the DC Beverage Association, DC SCORES will announce our Ward 8 Expansion Initiative this Thursday at Moten Elementary School.
Join us as we kick off the first game day of the season and celebrate the beginning of our expansion to more schools in Ward 8 and the District.
DC SCORES Ward 8 Expansion Initiative Announcement
Thursday, September 29
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Moten Elementary School
2330 Pomeroy Rd. SE
Thanks to ABA's tremendous support, we are able to expand in one of the city's most needy areas when it comes to providing physical fitness opportunities for youth. In Ward 8, nearly 50% of youth are obese or overweight — just a horrifying statistic. Over the past two years, we've been able to expand to now serve four schools in the ward, and there are many more that are begging for our program. Partners like ABA make fulfilling their wishes possible. Thank you!
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