Volunteers Needed for Program Uniting Generations in the Fight Against Obesity
Empire BlueCross Foundation announces grant bringing proven wellness program to Albany
ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Remember riding your bicycle all over town until dark and then coming home to a hot, healthy meal your mom prepared? Lots of adults do, and now many of them are volunteering to help the next generation – and in the process themselves – get and stay healthy through an innovative program called CATCH Healthy Habits.
Created by the OASIS Institute (OASIS), CATCH Healthy Habits, is a unique intergenerational health program which pairs older adults with children to encourage healthier eating and physical activity. If you haven't heard of the program you probably will soon because it just got a big boost.
Empire BlueCross Foundation announced that CATCH Healthy Habits will be coming to the Albany area thanks to a $41,048 grant from its corporate foundation. The funds are part of a larger, $2.7 million grant commitment that will expand the program to 18 cities over two years. In Albany, OASIS will work in partnership with the Albany Senior Services to implement the program.
Obesity-related expenses and complications are quickly becoming one of the nation's most pressing public health challenges. Across the country, 35 percent of people age 50 and older lead sedentary lifestyles, and obesity rates in the United States have more than tripled in the last three decades among children ages 6 to 11.
Volunteers age 50 and over are needed for the program. Many will work with children in kindergarten through the fifth grade in weekly one-hour sessions to play active games, learn about food choices and make healthy snacks. Volunteers can also contribute their skills to help with training, community awareness, coordination and other leadership roles.
"We know that if we can get kids off to a healthy start they have a better chance at avoiding life-long health issues and living their best lives possible," said Ethel Graber, VP and GM of Empire BlueCross. "That's why we are excited to work with OASIS to bring this program to students in Albany because we have seen the positive difference it makes in the lives of the students and adult volunteers involved in the program."
Over the next two years, OASIS will work with its primary partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, along with YMCAs, schools and other community partners to reach an estimated 5,000 children and volunteers nationwide.
"Albany Senior Services and OASIS share a goal to engage mature adults in meaningful community service," said Julie Liss, Albany's CATCH Healthy Habits Coordinator. "CATCH Healthy Habits not only helps to combat the serious issue of obesity, but also benefits the adults who volunteer. Research shows that volunteers live longer, healthier lives than those who do not volunteer."
CATCH Healthy Habits will start in early 2012 in Albany, joining nine other cities across the country. The program will expand throughout 2012, bringing the total to 18 locations in 14 states.
Those interested in volunteering in the CATCH Healthy Habits program should contact Julie Liss, Albany's CATCH Healthy Habits Coordinator by calling 518-465-3322, ext 32, emailing [email protected], or visiting www.catchhealthyhabits.org.
About the Empire BlueCross Foundation
Through charitable grant making, the Empire BlueCross Foundation (and the Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation), trade names of the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation L.L.C., independent licensees of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State, promotes Empire's inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Empire serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company's annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates' campaign pledges. To learn more about the Foundation please visit www.wellpointfoundation.org.
About the OASIS Institute
OASIS is a national education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults age 50 and older through lifelong learning and service. Offering stimulating programs in the arts, humanities, health, technology and volunteer service, OASIS brings people together to learn, lead and contribute in their communities. Albany is part of a national network that serves a diverse audience through educational centers and community partners. The OASIS Institute is nationally headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. For more information, visit www.oasisnet.org.
About Senior Services of Albany
Senior Services of Albany, a not-for-profit human services organization, serving the elderly in the Capital Region for almost 60 years, provides a menu of aging services for seniors, their families and caregivers that offers choice, independence and dignity; these services allow our elders to age in place in the comfort of their homes. Major program areas include Nutrition/Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Caregiver Services, Westview and South Mall Towers Senior Centers and Health and Wellness programs and classes. The Meals on Wheels home delivered meal program provides essential nutrition and daily personal contact to hundreds of elderly or disabled adults. The Transportation program offers rides Monday through Friday for medical appointments, grocery shopping, trips to the mall and even visits to family and friends. The Community Care Services Department provides essential information and support to elderly adults and their caregivers through its social adult day care, grocery shopping assistance, friendly home visits, counseling, case management and a health insurance counseling and referral program (HIICAP). For more information about Senior Services of Albany programs, please call 518/465-3322 or visit www.seniorservicesofalbany.com.
SOURCE Empire BlueCross
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