On Labor Day, It's "Time for Lunch" Community Potluck!

Healthy Girls Initiative is co-hosting an awesome community event to raise support for healthy school lunches this Labor Day! Slow Foods of Greater Sarasota is hosting an “Eat – In” Community Potluck at Phillipi Estate Park from 12noon – 3pm on Labor Day September 7, 2009. Our Eat-In is part of a National Day of Action when thousands of people across the country will share a meal to demonstrate our commitment to getting high nutritional quality school lunches.
Attendees are asked to bring a dish that is in the “slow food” tradition, which means either home-made in the tradition of a specific culture or made from scratch as much as possible of fresh whole foods. Non alcoholic beverages will be provided. Attendees should bring their own eating utensils, cups, plates, and napkins.
Currently school meals are based upon the current USDA allotment $2.57 per child, of which less than $1 goes towards actual ingredients. Josh Viertel, President, Slow Food USA says “It is time to give kids real food: food that tastes good; is good for them; is good for the people who grow and prepare it; and, is good for the planet.”
In a time of escalating obesity and diabetes epidemics, our schools – due to this lack of financial resources and the complex administrative rules which hamper them - are often serving children precisely the fast food and junk food that endangers their health.
This year, Congress can give schools the resources to serve real food by:
1. increasing school lunch reimbursements by $1/child/day;
2. protecting against food that threatens children’s health by limiting high calorie, low nutrition foods; and,
3. teaching children healthy habits that will last throughout life.
More information on the campaign is available at www.slowfoodusa.org/timeforlunch and about Slow Food of Greater Sarasota at http://www.wholefood.meetup.com/192/.
To RSVP please send an email to slowfoodsarasota@gmail.com. For more information feel free to contact HGI Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at (941) 921-5358 ext. 316 or juliao@gsgcf.org

Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !

Healthy Girls Task Force Update

Both of the Healthy Girls Task Forces in Englewood and Venice will be teaming up to write and practice the script for their healthy lifestyle awareness public service announcement this month. Next month they will film the public service announcement. Look for it on Sarasota County television and in the public schools later this autumn! Graduation for the Task Forces take place in October and are open to families and friends of the girls. The Venice Task Force graduation is Thursday, October 22nd from 6pm to 7pm at the Venice Girl Scout House and the Englewood Task Force graduation is Monday, October 26th from 6pm to 7pm at the Englewood United Methodist Church.

This November, nominations and applications will be accepted for the 2010 Healthy Girls Task Force. There are a few changes to the opportunity this year. The Task Force will be recruiting girls from all over Sarasota County, not just South Sarasota County. Also, the Task Force will only be open to teenage girls. Finally, the Task Force will be partnering with other programs and organizations, including SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) and Orange Blossom Community Garden. The Task Force will meet twice monthly from January – May. Contact HGI Program Specialist for more information at (941) 921-5359 ext. 316 or juliao@gsgcf.org.

Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !

Changes for the Healthy Girls Initiative

For the 2009-2010 school year, there are big changes for the Healthy Girls Initiative (HGI). There's good news and not-so-good news. The not-so-good news is that due to the economic recession, the primary funder of HGI is no longer funding programs and is only providing funds for emergency operational funds to keep local non-profits afloat. So, inspite of outstanding outcomes, a dozen letters of support, glowing evaluations from girls and adult participants, 216 programs delivered in the 2008-2009 school year and summer with over 2,000 girls served, HGI has - perhaps temporarily - lost funding.

The good news is that HGI will continue to deliver some programs to girls in South Sarasota County. HGI Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay has trained a part-time staff and a volunteer who will be delivering the Uniquely Me! Healthy Girls Program in four after-school programs and four elementary schools. A new class of the Healthy Girls Task Force will be recruited for 2010. Julia will continue to manage HGI programs and staff while serving the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council in her new full-time position as Program Specialist for five counties.

If you know of any funding sources for healthy lifestyle awareness programs for youth, please inform Julia by emailing her information at: juliao@gsgcf.org.

The Healthy Girls Initiative e-newsletter will now be sent out on a quarterly basis. The blog will also be updated on a quarterly basis. Expect to see the new issue and blog update in January 2010. If you ever have any questions about what’s up with the Healthy Girls Initiative, please contact HGI Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at (941) 921-5358 ext. 316 or juliao@gsgcf.org.

Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative

Healthy Girls Initiative Intern & Volunteer Opportunities

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Healthy Girls Initiative has an opening for a Program Delivery Intern. Applicants must have an interest in or formal education/professional experience in a health/wellness-related field. Potential stipend. Please contact HGI Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay for further information at (941_ 921-5358 ext. 316 or juliao@gsgcf.org.

For folks looking to have a tremendous, positive impact on the lives of girls in our community, Healthy Girls Initiative welcomes volunteers to contribute their time and talents as guest instructors for our programs. If you are a chef, dancer, nurse, dietician, poet or have any other wellness-related skills, please contact Julia about coming as a special guest to a program session for girls or adults. HGI is particularly seeking fitness instructors.

Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !