Shape Up North, schools, agencies collaborate for health, wellness project
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund recently awarded Munson Healthcare Foundations $401,513 as part of an effort in the Grand Traverse region to build and strengthen a child-focused culture of health and wellness.
The grant was one of 13 given to nonprofit organizations from the state’s 2017 Nutrition and Health Lifestyles funding.
“We are extremely excited and pleased the Michigan Health Endowment Fund shares in the vision that many area community organizations and schools have in creating a healthier culture and foundation for children in the region,” said Alyson Kass, coordinator for Shape Up North. “This money will allow us to begin implementing strategies that we collectively believe will help impact our region’s obesity rate.”
The grant application was submitted in partnership with several organizations and Shape Up North, a five-county regional collaboration dedicated to helping residents in Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau and Kalkaska Counties achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It serves as the coordinating body of this effort.
Kass said the grant represents a significant milestone for Shape Up North because the project will be completed with numerous partners across the five-county area. Plans involve collaborations between Traverse City Area Public Schools, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Taste the Local Difference, Great Lakes Culinary Institute and Michigan State University Extension.
The overall goal is to change the culture for elementary school children to one of health, wellness and fitness by focusing on children’s sphere of influence. This will be done by creating a positive, supportive influence from individuals who often interact with children. Munson Medical Center, Shape Up North and its collaborators are developing a multi-faceted approach to children’s nutrition, wellness and healthy lifestyles. This project places the child at the center and addresses multiple ways childhood nutrition and wellness can be impacted through schools, families and health care providers.
“Ultimately, our goal is that this project will not only improve the health of children and their sphere of influence, but also positively impact the cost of health care,” Kass said. “Our hope is that by improving nutrition and encouraging wellness activities, kids will develop healthy habits and as they grow will be able to avoid the chronic conditions that are often tied to obesity.”
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. For more information about the Health Fund please visit mhealthfund.com.