Chatham-Kent will receive $1.1 million in Province of Ontario funding over the next four years for programming and services aimed at decreasing childhood obesity.
The Province of Ontario announced today that Chatham-Kent was one of 45 communities that will be funded through the Healthy Kids Community Challenge to promote healthy and active lifestyles among children and youth.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, with support from the Chatham-Kent Community Leaders’ Cabinet, applied for the funding in March. In his letter to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Mayor Randy Hope said, “Chatham-Kent Council has set the achievement of good community health as a prime strategic direction so as to guide our investment in initiatives that reduce the risks of chronic disease in our community. This grant would do much to help us create a community where children are healthy, active, and able to succeed in life.”
Regarding the grant, Mayor Hope said today, “Great news! We are grateful to the Province of Ontario. Now it’s time for community partners throughout Chatham-Kent to come together to improve the quality of life for our children. I know they will do a good job”
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit’s director, Dr. April Rietdyk, says, “We held a children’s contest in March to name the project. Locally, our Healthy Kids Community Challenge project will be known as Super Kids CK. This name was submitted by students from one of our grade five classes.”
Rietdyk adds, “Programs and services will be delivered throughout Chatham-Kent by many organizations and community partners. They will focus on healthy eating, physical activity, and adequate sleep. We are already planning for some exciting events for families.”
Some planned activities include:
– Super Kids CK Grow Local – a new gardening program for children and youth
– Super Kids CK Runs – organized fun runs
– Super Kids CK Homework- a physical activity homework program where children work their bodies and their minds
– Super Kids CK Camp Outs a fun evening outdoors for each community throughout Chatham-Kent
As the project unfolds over the next four years there will be many more great activities added.
