Healthy habits are notoriously difficult for anyone
to develop. When it comes to battling childhood obesity, underserved minority
families face particularly steep challenges. The University of Houston’s BOUNCE
program (Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition Counseling and
Exercise) provides mothers and daughters behavioral and
educational practices that transform not only the lives of girls but their
families and community, as well. To partner in this mission, the Safeway
Foundation will present BOUNCE with a check for $79,878.
“Thanks to the Safeway Foundation, BOUNCE will be able to change the lives of more girls and their families,” said Robert McPherson, dean of the UH College of Education. “By joining in this mission, our partners are not just proving to be good corporate citizens, they inspire others to join make our community a healthier place.”
Since 2005 the BOUNCE program has empowered low-income, Hispanic and African American 9-14 year-old-girls and their families to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The program’s four-week camps include activities to teach healthy food choices, positive body image and fun ways to be active, such as salsa dancing, Zumba, yoga and step aerobic classes. Registered dieticians, fitness experts and child psychologists lead the sessions.
“It is incredibly satisfying to see how much girls and their mothers change their eating habits and become more active while losing weight and inches,” said Norma Olvera, professor of health education in the UH College of Education and director of BOUNCE. “BOUNCE is about empowering families to develop a healthy way of life that becomes a lifetime lifestyle.”
The check presentation event is planned for 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Stephen Power Farish Hall in 101, the Kiva Room.
Through collaborative efforts between academia and community, BOUNCE advocates a healthy lifestyle by incorporating healthy food choices, daily exercise, and positive self-esteem, while helping participants form lasting friendships in a fun and exciting environment.
The Safeway Foundation supports causes that impact the lives of its customers. It focuses on giving locally in the areas of health and human services, hunger relief, education and helping people living with disabilities. In total, Safeway and The Safeway Foundation give more than $200 million a year in grants and product donations to charitable organizations.
About BOUNCE: http://bounce.uh.edu/default.cfm
About the College of Education: http://www.coe.uh.edu/
WHAT: University of Houston BOUNCE Award Check Presentation
WHEN: 3:15 p.m.- 4 p.m., Sept. 12, 2012
WHERE: Kiva/101 Farish Hall
For directions and parking information, visit http://www.uh.edu/maps/buildings/fh