LOS ANGELES, Calif. – California’s NBA teams are working with the newly formed Active Alliance to measurably improve the health of children in their communities through exercise, nutrition and education. The initiative launches into action this weekend with the Clippers and Lakers games.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will collaborate on and/or customize a number of school and community based activity programs to make health happen in their communities. Among these projects will be Highway to Health community health fairs, community and school basketball court and playground renovations, Martin Luther King Day of Service community projects, and basketball and dance clinics with team players and cheerleaders.
The Active Alliance initiative was formed through a partnership between HealthCorps and The California Endowment to further their shared goal: together they are committed to creating an environment where children have safe parks and recreation areas to stay active, as well as access to nutrition and physical education so they can learn practical ways to stay healthy. The Active Alliance provides an opportunity to impact thousands of children in key communities across California.
“Schools play a key role in the health of our children, and healthy kids are more likely to succeed in school and life,” said Kathlyn Mead, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The California Endowment. “The Active Alliance is an innovative initiative that connects role models like professional athletes to inspire and make health happen for our children and their communities.”
At the foundation of the initiative is the HealthCorps program, founded by Dr. Oz and his wife, Lisa. HealthCorps places recent college graduates in high schools to teach a health, nutrition and mental wellness curriculum. These graduates, or “coordinators,” create cultural shifts within their schools and neighborhoods, encouraging their communities to embrace health and wellness
“The Active Alliance will serve as a positive force in the campaign to encourage Californians to adopt more healthy and active lifestyles,” said Michelle Bouchard, President of HealthCorps. “When it comes to the welfare of our children, we all need to be on the same team and we are thrilled to be working with The California Endowment and the Lakers, Kings, Clippers and Warriors.”
About HealthCorps
HealthCorps®, www.healthcorps.org, is a 501 (C) 3 co-founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the world-renowned cardiac surgeon and two-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning host of the three-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning “The Dr. Oz Show”, and his wife, Lisa Oz, to combat the childhood obesity crisis. HealthCorps is building a nationwide movement to shape a new generation.
HealthCorps “Coordinators” carry out unique in-school and community programming targeting high-need populations. Using peer-mentoring to deliver a progressive curriculum in nutrition, fitness and mental strength, HealthCorps® Coordinators give teens purpose, help develop human character, and inspire an interest in health and culinary arts careers. HealthCorps also serves as a unique research laboratory – exploring the complex, underlying causes of the obesity crisis and discovering and communicating solutions. HealthCorps is bringing many initiatives together to address the “Whole Child” and activate the students’ mind, body and spirit. As a result, HealthCorps is transforming the educational paradigm one school at a time. The program network spans 62 schools in 13 states and the District of Columbia, including 26 in California.
In the fall of 2012, HealthCorps introduced HealthCorps University, a new “train the trainer” professional development program that makes the HealthCorps principles and curriculum available to virtually any school. By 2021, HealthCorps hopes to have a presence in 100 schools.
You can follow HealthCorps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthcorps and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthCorps.
About The California Endowment
The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, The Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego, with program staff working throughout the state. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. For more information, visit The California Endowment’s homepage at www.calendow.org.
About HealthCorps
HealthCorps®, www.healthcorps.org, is a 501 (C) 3 co-founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the world-renowned cardiac surgeon and two-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning host of the three-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning “The Dr. Oz Show”, and his wife, Lisa Oz, to combat the childhood obesity crisis. HealthCorps is building a nationwide movement to shape a new generation.
HealthCorps “Coordinators” carry out unique in-school and community programming targeting high-need populations. Using peer-mentoring to deliver a progressive curriculum in nutrition, fitness and mental strength, HealthCorps® Coordinators give teens purpose, help develop human character, and inspire an interest in health and culinary arts careers. HealthCorps also serves as a unique research laboratory – exploring the complex, underlying causes of the obesity crisis and discovering and communicating solutions. HealthCorps is bringing many initiatives together to address the “Whole Child” and activate the students’ mind, body and spirit. As a result, HealthCorps is transforming the educational paradigm one school at a time. The program network spans 62 schools in 13 states and the District of Columbia., including 26 in California.
You can follow HealthCorps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthcorps and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthCorps