Fan 4 Kids

FAN4KIDS PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH A COMPREHENSIVE, SCHOOL-BASED FITNESS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION IN LOW-INCOME AREAS. FAN4KIDS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2004 TO COMBAT TODAY'S CHILDHOOD OBESITY. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: 1-CREATING HEALTHIER NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HABITS. 2-IMPROVING CARDIOVASCULAR ABILITIES. 3-REDUCING DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND INCREASING FOCUS IN THE CLASSROOMS. 4-STABILIZING AND REDUCING BMI IN KIDS. 5-INFLUENCING FAMILIES TO MODIFY AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH BEHAVIORS.

FAN4Kids tackles the twin challenges of childhood obesity and food insecurity, both of which have ri

Goal One: We'd like to expand F4K's digital presence so that more kids and families have access to our programs that don't have the budget for our direct school based programming.

Goal Two: It's FAN4Kids goal to expand in NYC and NJ in the most marginalized communities and expanding on our community partnerships. From teaching 2-3K kids per week to 20-30K kids and their families.

Goal Three: F4K is incorporating a student/family empowerment program that addresses the social determinants of health, increases access to resources/healthy food, and reduces food insecurity/systemic inequities.

With all the challenges in the world that (have always been there) but in the last two years regarding racial justice, FAN4Kids took a very deep look into our organization and that of our leadership and board of directors and the representation our organization has in comparison to the neighborhoods we serve. It is our goal to have a more diverse leadership role within FAN4Kids and in attracting new board members. F4K will be requiring all board members and executive leaders to take part in racial equity workshops, as well as discuss this as a team when it comes to bringing on new hires or members. FAN4Kids really believes that our organization should reflect the neighborhoods and experiences of those we serve.

In response to coronavirus-related school closings, FAN4Kids quickly transformed its curriculum to a digital platform and successfully delivered comprehensive virtual lessons from individual FAN4Kids instructors to students and families weekly through Google Classroom – providing essential physical activity and nutrition education at a time when it is especially needed. FAN4Kids also provided remote learning materials weekly, and students were encouraged to complete one activity each day. Activities included: fitness challenges, nutrition facts, food of the week, nutrition and fitness quizzes, fitness breaks, long fitness videos, and exercise demonstrations. FAN4Kids also launched a Digital Movement and Healthy Living Series for parents and school staff free of charge, which included mindful meditation, cooking demos, strength and toning, injury prevention, kickboxing and Zumba. The series was very well-attended and parent involvement was even higher than in-person classes. Our month virtual dance parties with live DJ and instructor lessons reached over 800 kids and families each month! FAN4Kids worked closely with teachers and administration to ensure that students obtained maximum benefit from FAN4Kids digital/remote programming. FAN4Kids is pleased to report that this programming was very successful and well-attended by students (it was a mandatory part of their curriculum), staff and parents. FAN4Kids also held a Virtual Field Day for the schools in June. FAN4Kids is prepared to deliver both in person and digital curriculum to students and parent and staff workshops and fitness classes during the 2021-22 school year if necessary.