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Children are facing overwhelming obstacles. Drugs, peer pressure, gangs, hopelessness,
disregard for human life... the list goes on.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington gives youth the guidance
and arms them with the tools to engage in positive behaviors that
nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully
as self-sufficient adults.
Programs deal with sensitive topics such as drug and gang prevention,
self-esteem, HIV/AIDS prevention, safety, teen pregnancy prevention
and more.
FitU
The FitU program; a health, wellness, and fitness initiative; is
designed to incorporate proven strategies and methods for combating
childhood obesity in the daily lives of youth between the ages of
8 and 14 years old. The program serves 1,100 boys and girls at 11
Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the metropolitan area. This program
is funded by GlaxoSmithKline.
FitU helps boys and girls establish healthy living patterns early
in life, and thereby effectively manage and prevent weight issues.
Each of the three program components (nutrition, fitness and wellness)
offered as part of an overall curriculum embrace proven strategies
and methods for combating childhood obesity.
The nutrition component teaches boys and girls the importance of
learning healthy eating habits, including portion control and learning
to prepare nutritional snacks.
The fitness component equips youngsters with the skills to adopt
healthier habits by participating in upbeat, engaging activities
that are fun. Although all BGCGW clubs require daily fitness activities,
the fitness components of FitU will be measured and evaluated, and
contain an educational component that teaches the importance of
fitness.
“Wellness” is much more than just the mere absence
of disease or disability. It is characterized by a positive sense
of well-being brought about through physical, mental and emotional
health (holistic heath). The curriculum will examine topics such
as physiology and health maintenance, body image and media marketing,
and weight stigmatization. The primary focus; however, is to teach
healthy habits and building confidence in the personal choices that
develop behaviors, attitudes and values that lead to lifelong successes.
"I’m so happy I lost 10 pounds. I’ve cut
down on eating McDonald’s and I drink water instead of drinking
soda." - Jose, FitU Participant
SMART Moves
The SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) prevention/education
program addresses the problems of drug and alcohol use and premature
sexual activity. Based on proven techniques, the program uses a
team approach involving Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community
representatives. More than simply emphasizing a "Say No" message,
the program teaches young people ages 6-15 how to say no by involving
them in discussion and role-playing, practicing resistance and refusal
skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making
skills and analyzing media and peer influence. The ultimate goal:
to promote abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual
involvement through the practice of responsible behavior.
SMART Girls
An outgrowth of the popular and effective SMART Moves program, SMART
Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem
enhancement program for girls ages 10-15. The program is designed
to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early
adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.
Passport to Manhood
Passport to Manhood promotes and teaches responsibility while reinforcing
positive behavior in male Club members ages 11-14. Passport to Manhood
consists of 14 small-group sessions, each of which concentrates
on a specific aspect of manhood through highly interactive activities.
Each participant is issued his own "Passport" to underscore the
idea that he is on a journey of maturation and personal growth.
Goals For Growth
This program teaches young people ages 8-12 skills for setting and
achieving their own personal, education and career goals.
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