Spotlight - Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

Park Program In The Spotlight

A World Fit For Kids!

GOLD MEDALIST

A World Fit For Kids! was founded in 1993 to develop and manage physical activity and youth development programs for under-served youth. Our mission is to enhance the emotional, mental and physical fitness of youth through mentoring, leadership training and healthy activities after school. AWFFK! is achieving demonstrable results in improved fitness and grades for elementary students, and improved fitness, better grades, reduced dropout rate and increased community service and employment for teens. Annually, AWFFK! serves over 6,000 students in Los Angeles. The organization's premier program, the Teen Success Training Program (TSTP), is an exciting 52-hour training that prepares teens to coach and mentor younger children, modeling physical activity and positive lifestyle choices. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge, experience and understanding necessary to work successfully with any youth-serving agency.

Since its inception in 1994, over 700 teens have been trained and placed as assistant coach/mentors in afterschool programs, teaching fitness and nutrition to younger kids. The results are impressive; in 2006, participants’ grade point averages increased overall by 51% over seven months and their fitness scores improved dramatically. Since 2003, 100% of participating TSTP seniors have graduated from high school.

More Park Programs In The Spotlight

San Mateo

F.R.E.S.H.
SILVER MEDALIST The F.R.E.S.H. Program is grant-funded by Kaiser Hospital at $30,000 per year. It focuses on active living and healthy eating in the young child. In operation at the City of South San Francisco's two licensed preschools, it serves 100 children per day. Activities include age-appropriate nutrition education, sports and fitness, family fun nights, healthy cooking, lunch box packing seminars, parent workshops, gardening activities, and take home activities ... Read More »

San Diego

Outdoor Adventure Program
BRONZE MEDALIST The Lakeside and Spring Valley Teen Centers are prime examples of how Parks and Recreation agencies make a positive difference in the lives of youth. The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, through community collaboration, operates the programming at the teen centers. Each center provides positive recreation alternatives and a safe environment for youth ages 10-17. The youth are at-risk of being involved in ... Read More »

Riverside

Riverside Healthy Cities
GOLD MEDALIST The City of Riverside’s Healthy Cities Program has been selected as a finalist for Park and Recreation Program of the Year category for working with the youth in the Eastside community of Riverside to promote physical activity and a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families. The Healthy Cities after-school program provided alternative physical activities including rock climbing, cage ball and dance led by young Americorp Volunteers; ... Read More »