FORT WAYNE, IN -- The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne in Indiana and other local organizations helped begin Activate Fort Wayne, a new initiative financed by a $10,000 grant from the national YMCA to fight childhood obesity, according to The Journal Gazette. The Y, Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN, and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department will help teach 10,000 local kids about nutrition and exercise through free programs this summer.
The initial plan was crafted after Activate Fort Wayne surveyed nearly 80 local organizations that serve kids and found some gaps in nutrition education and exercise programs. About two-thirds of the organizations wanted more information on providing healthy snacks to kids, but one-third said they were concerned about how they could do that, citing possible funding issues, the newspaper reported.
The childhood obesity epidemic is the first area the initiative will be targeting, officials say. Activate Fort Wayne will be coming up with more health-related programs and collaborative efforts in the next year or so.
Fort Wayne is the first city in the state to receive the grant, which helps start the project. Activate Fort Wayne can apply for more money in the future if the program is successful.