Kids Power with Dr. Janus.
When parents start complimenting a program, you know you have a winner. Kids Power is that winner. Launched last spring at the YMCA of the Suncoast, Kids Power is an afterschool enrichment program in partnership with BayCare that provides fun interactive sessions on healthy living for kids.
Focusing on elementary school-age children, the initiative focuses on teaching age-appropriate lessons about healthy food, fun ways to be active and vital safety skills that improve overall physical and social well-being. From the two pilot sites last year, Kids Power has grown to 11 locations across Pinellas and Pasco counties including at the James P. Gills Family YMCA in Trinity and the Greater Ridgecrest YMCA in Largo.
Katherine Janus, PhD, Community Wellness Program Director for the YMCA of the Suncoast, leads the Kids Power program and is delighted with the feedback.
“Recently we had a parent share how much her son enjoyed Kids Power at his school. She also shared that as the principal of that school, she sees the benefit in offering a program designed for kids to learn healthy habits at a young age”
“The sites that have gone through the 12-week curriculum will now have monthly Kids Power visits to sustain healthy living energy. Once a month our Kids Power team will visit these sites and do a fun activity like an obstacle course and then a hands-on snack like making parfaits with low-fat yogurt, fresh berries, and healthy granola. These sites will also receive their own "Kids Power Kit" with some of the games and activities we learned during the program. This way they can have fun using some Kids Power tools throughout the year!”
Published Friday, September 27, 2024.