Teen Health Council

1/17/2012 – Teen Health Council

What is it?

  • The Mikva Challenge Teen Health Philanthropy Fund is offering grants of up to $1,000 for youth-driven projects to improve the health and wellness of schools across Chicago. The Mikva THC would fund programs that lead to an increase in physical activity, access to healthy food options in the school, and a new and creative way to teach students about obesity.

Who will be involved?

  • Mrs. McKinney and Ms. Holpuch will be supervising 7th and 8th grade student volunteers who want to be a part of the Newberry Teen Health Council. These students will meet twice a week through the week of February 20th to brainstorm a plan that will focus on increasing the health and wellness of students at Newberry.

Why is it important?

  • The Mikva Philanthropy Fund states that obesity has become a serious problem for Chicago Youth. Students that were surveyed said that their health curriculum is taught poorly, that their gym classes do not provide enough physical activity, and that there is not enough healthy food provided in their schools.

The goals of this council include:

  • Increasing physical activity in schools
  • Increasing access to healthy food in schools
  • Providing nutritional education to students
Feel free to contact Simona McKinney (sdmckinney1@cps.edu) with any questions or concerns.

More information can be found at the Mikva THC website:

http://www.mikvachallenge.org/healthgrants2012/