Youth Foundation lands grant of more than $300,000 from Colorado Health Foundation

The Vail Valley Foundation’s Youth Foundation announced on Monday that it has received a two-year grant from the Colorado Health Foundation of $304,130 to support its PwrHrs KidSTRONG program. It is the Youth Foundation’s largest single grant to date.

“We are so pleased to receive this significant support from the Colorado Health Foundation,” said Melisa Rewold-Thuon, Vice President of Education at the Vail Valley Foundation.  “Not only does it provide us with the ability to continue and expand our work via KidSTRONG, but it’s an important indicator that the positive outcomes for our kids are valued and recognized throughout the state of Colorado.”

The Mission of KidSTRONG (Kids Stronger Through Recreational Opportunities and Nutritional Guidance) is to provide engaging activities that increase physical activity, nutritional knowledge, self-confidence and promote overall wellbeing. The KidSTRONG program uses a holistic approach to engage over 1,800 youth annually in moderate to vigorous physical activity, providing engaging education and activities related to nutrition and health accompanied by fresh produce for consumption by participants at each session.

Youth Foundation programming bridges a critical gap in the Eagle County community. Many kids in Eagle County do not have an alternative, affordable opportunity to engage in physical fitness activities outside of school.

Since its inception in 2009, the KidSTRONG program has provided activities that significantly increase youth fitness in Eagle County students, which in turn inspire self-confidence and promote overall wellbeing – a cornerstone of academic success. This grant from the Colorado Health Foundation will help sustain and expand the Youth Foundation’s KidSTRONG program, ensuring that youth in Eagle County have access to the resources they need to develop healthy habits and to reach academic success.

If you would like to learn more about the KidSTRONG initiative, or any of VVF’s Youth Foundation programs, please contact Peter Barclay at (970) 748.5994 or visit www.theyouthfoundation.org.