We are still in the throes of this epidemic and we are still not seeing the progress and focus this cause deserves. FIZEEK!, my youth fitness initiative (www.fizeekfitness.com) is growing. We are now serving three sites this Fall in Nashville including Coleman Community Center, Martha O’Bryan Center and Wright Middle School. I have been so impressed by the interest and enthusiasm of the afterschool program staff. WE had the kick-off event at Martha O’Bryan last night. The staff participated, offered support and were engaged with the youth which is the key to success and participation from the youth. Our staff building a significant relationship with the young people throughout our time at these facilities, however the onsite staff our their rock, the stability and consistency they need and crave. If they are not supportive and able to endorse the concept of health education as essential in the program curriculum our job becomes much more difficult. I thank them for this.
This support and participation which is so prevalent in the community centers is all but absent in the school environment which we have seen at Wright Middle school. Save one amazing and passionate school nurse, all the staff are less than interested in growing such a unique and potentially invaluable opportunity to integrate consistent and ongoing fitness opportunities into the school day. I would only hope that when you have people who have no affiliation or intimate tie to a school but are putting this aside in an attempt to promote a better quality of life in your community that you could put all personal needs aside a lend a hand for 30 minutes twice a week. The presence and support of faculty, staff and parents is an invaluable addition to a youth program’s success. They need to know what they are doing matters and that people recognize their efforts. This is a call to Metro Nashville faculty, staff, parents and even administrators to be invested. Contact me and get involved in Wright’s program or let’s initiate your own! It will be well worth it, I promise.
