Celebrating 10 Years of Impacting Healthy Lifestyle Choices Across DuPage
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As FORWARD DuPage celebrates the past 10 years, we reflect on the impact that has been made through your help from across the county. FORWARD’s success is a direct result of your investment in healthier lifestyles. We are grateful to the DuPage community, our coalition members, donors, volunteers, sponsors and partners for your support and assistance. Moving ahead, there is still work to be done.
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Help us eradicate obesity today! Our bold goal of raising $100,000 will help embed healthy lifestyle choices into the fabric of the community. The dollars will help FORWARD achieve our vision--that all children and families in DuPage County, regardless of age, income or ethnicity, will achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Click
here
to see how you can help. Together we are making a difference!
A special thank you to ColorThisWorld Communications, Andi Cooper, Dr. David Dungan, Melissa Jimenez, Darlene Ruscitti, and Paul Zientarski for making this video possible and for your efforts to improve healthy lifestyle choices across DuPage.
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Celebrating Community Impact Spotlight on Change!
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Six years ago, Lombard School District 44 received a small
“Get in the Action
” grant from FORWARD in partnership with Action for Healthy Kids. This grant supported the start of Hammerschmidt Elementary’s Learn and Play Garden. Through the garden, students learn how to plant seeds and grow food. When the food is harvested it is brought into their cafeteria where students can eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. While the grant has long been over, the program is still going strong. It was formally adopted as a PTA Program and is now in its seventh year. This year students started a garden market that raised $95 from selling produce and flowers. These funds will be used to maintain the garden. Partnerships like these are priceless and can lead to lasting changes that create healthier and safer communities!
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Share
YOUR
Accomplishments
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Tell us how you are spreading healthy change
here
.
Share information with us about your healthy activity and become eligible for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
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Do you promise to inspire change by spreading healthy habits and sharing information about FORWARD? Small changes make a big difference. We have 24 and counting. Help Spread the Pledge
here
.
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FORWARD DuPage launched our first webinar entitled “Obesity, Opioids & Guns: Why Obesity is Still the #1 Health Issue”. If you weren’t able to join us, click
here
for the replay. Dr. Vince Bufalino, Cardiologist, Chief Advocate Medical Group Officer and FORWARD DuPage founding board member explains why obesity remains the major health issue and learn how to help yourself, your family and your community avoid the health risks associated with obesity.
SAVE THE DATE
December 11 - 11:30am
"The Earlier the Better: Simple Tools to Curb Obesity for a Lifetime"
Hear from Barb Taylor, FORWARD's Early Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Expert how starting early with three simple strategies can impact weight for a lifetime. Even as an older adult, these tools can help you and your family reach a healthy weight, improve lifestyle choices and impact future health outcomes.
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Resources, Resources, Resources!
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October is National Farm to School Month. Need some celebration ideas?
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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently launched the State of Childhood Obesity website. The website features specific recommendations that can serve as a set of policy priorities for federal, state, and local leaders.
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Take a look at, Addressing Diabetes Factors in Elementary School-Aged Children Through School and Community Partnerships, a new resource developed in collaboration with the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium.
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Healthy Lifestyle
Legislative & Advocacy Update
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FORWARD DuPage serves as a leadership member of the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO). We encourage partners to get involved in helping to advance policies to support healthy lifestyle choices across Illinois.
To learn more about IAPO and their priorities
click
here
.
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The Food and Nutrition Service issued a proposed rule that would revise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to standardize the calculation of Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs).
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Census Day is April 1, 2020, and it is vital that all participate. Census data informs funding decisions, provides a benchmark for all other survey data, and is a constitutional requirement.
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Healthy and Active Communities Network: From the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan, communities throughout Illinois are busy building healthier places to live. In recent years, the state has been plagued by some of the nation’s highest rates of chronic disease and obesity, but engaged communities and local coalitions are working relentlessly to turn that trend.
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Join Bike Walk Every Town, the Active Transportation Alliance’s new suburban advocacy program. The program will help you develop the skills and access the resources needed to strengthen biking and walking in your community.
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Healthy Lifestyles in the News
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Obesity rates are rising in Illinois.
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Kids in poor neighborhoods face higher odds for obesity as adults.
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Congratulations, America, you are eating better. But you still have a ways to go.
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Healthy drinks matter for healthy kids, every sip of the way.
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Experts says mental and behavioral factors can affect children dealing with obesity.
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Americans aren't drinking very much juice these days. Here's why.
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The Conservation Foundation
Farm Stand
Thursdays (weather permitting)
2:00pm to 6:00pm
Open each week with organic produce, fresh cut flowers and Beekeeper's Reserve Honey. Get real time updates
here
.
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Seven Generations Ahead
Illinois Farm to School Network
Registration Now Open
Harvest of the Month
Upon completion of this brief survey, you will be on your way to food education and fun for the children you serve. Click
here
.
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Forest Preserve
Corn Harvest - Kline Creek Farm
Saturday, October 19
1:00pm to 4:00pm
After a session in “Corn College,” experience life as a field hand as you help harvest this year’s crop and make corn shocks from the cut stalks. Then, create your own souvenir corn-husk figures for home. All ages. Free. Questions? Call 630.876.5900.
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Yoga on the Lawn
Wednesday, October 23
7:30am to 8:30am
Start your day in nature with an outdoor yoga class for beginners led by experienced yoga practitioners. Wednesdays. Ages 18 and up. $40 per person in advance for all four classes; $14 per class for drop-ins. Register
here
or at 630.206.9566.
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Thanksgiving Gratitude Walk - Mayslake
Saturday, November 16
1:30pm to 3:30pm
Gear up to enjoy some healthy exercise with one of our naturalists as you walk 2 – 5 miles while exploring the wonders of the preserves. Ages 18 and up. $5 per person. Register
here
, at the walk or at 630.850.8110.
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Greenfield Outdoor Fitness
School Incentive Program
Application Deadline
Rolling
Receive up to 50% in the form of an in-kind donation to help students enhance physical fitness
Click to
here
to
apply
.
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Good Sports
Sports Equipment Grants
Application Deadline
Rolling
These equipment grants serve youth in economically disadvantaged areas of the country. Click to
here
to
apply
.
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The Resiliency Institute
Forest Therapy Wellness Walk
Thursday, October 24 - 9:00am to 10:30am - Register
here
.
Saturday, November 30 - 10:00am to 11:30am - Register
here
.
Take time to improve your health, reduce your stress, and experience pleasure while on a guided leisurely walk in nature on the farm. This is time to nurture yourself, to relax, engage your senses, and bathe in the pleasures of your surroundings.
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GameTime
2019 Playground Grants
Application Deadline
Wednesday, October 30
To help bring more play to students, GameTime is offering up 100% in matching funds.
Click to
here
to
apply
.
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Math & Movement
Active Classroom Grants
Application Deadline
Rolling
Support your active classroom initiative and host a professional development workshop. Click
here
to
apply
.
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American Heart Association/American Medical Association
Webinar: How to Improve Hypertension Control through Team-Based Care
Wednesday, October 23
1:00pm to 2:00pm
Led by Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, RN, FAHA, FCPNA, assistant professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, this webinar outlines how to incorporate this practice into health care organizations of all sizes and demographics. Register
here
.
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Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network
Fall Wellness Conference - Springfield
Wednesday, October 30
8:30am to 2:00pm
Join ICAHN to learn about such topics as Tai Chi, Mediation, Mindfulness and Compassion Fatigue and Crossfit: Bringing a Community Closer Together. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register
here
.
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Annual Conference - Champaign
Wednesday, November 13
12:00pm to 3:00pm
We invite you to connect with colleagues, participate in interactive educational workshops, visit with corporate exhibitors, and help us improve the future of rural health. Register
here.
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AmericaWalks
2019 Community Change Grants
Application Deadline
Friday, November 8
This grant program will work to provide support to the growing network of advocates, organizations, and agencies using innovative, engaging, and inclusive programs and projects to create change at the community level. Learn more and apply
here
.
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Safe Routes to School Conference
November 12-14
Hilton Tampa Downtown
Spend three days with leaders working to advance Safe Routes and create healthy, equitable communities. Exchange ideas and share knowledge in a city that is best explored by foot, bike and public transportation. Register
here
.
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GardenWorks
Food Readers Book Club
Monday, November 4
6:30pm - Wheaton
Join the first meeting of the club to discuss the acclaimed book,
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
. Register
here
.
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Meet Up at Downers Grove
Health Optimization in a Toxic World
Tuesdays at 6:45pm
November 12 & December 10
Dale's background and tenacity for the real story on health issues will help affirm all Natural Health Enthusiasts.
RSVP
here
.
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Action for Health Kids
Webinar: Getting to Know the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model
Thursday, November 14
2:00pm
Join us for an introduction to this model which is an evidenced-based model that highlights ten key school health components to ensure students are safe, engaged, supported, challenged and healthy. Register
here
.
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Webinar: The Power of Parent
Wednesday, November 20
2:00pm
Parents: This one’s for you! Join us to learn how you can engage with your school to make it a healthier place for your kids and all students. Learn tips, best practices, and how to navigate some of the most common challenges you’ll face.
Register
here
.
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United Fresh Start Foundation
Community Innovation Grants
Application Deadline
Sunday, December 1
The 2020 program is focused on supporting visionary initiatives and research that not only increases children and families' access to fresh produce, but also broadens selection and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Apply
here
.
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Active Transportation Alliance
Annual Meeting & Mixer
Wednesday, December 4
5:00pm to 8:00pm
Are you a member or supporter of Active Tran? Come to IIT-Kent School of Law to help celebrate our volunteers and members, without whom our work would not be possible! Register
here
.
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The challenges facing children and families to support healthy lifestyles will take the combined passions, expertise and influence of many. If you're reading this message, you are one of those influencers. Join us in our mission:
- Donate - Too many families don't have access to the services and resources they need to stay healthy. In honor of our 10th anniversary, we've set our sights on raising $200,000 for change. Every dollar will support FORWARD DuPage's work to build capacity in communities where the need is great and the resources are too few.
- Sign-Up - Join our coalition of thousands of partners so we can drive change for children and families and improve healthy lifestyle outcomes together.
- Share Our Message - Spread the word about our 10th Anniversary and the impact we have had on our website or on the social media links at the bottom of the page.
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Do you subscribe to the IMPACT DuPage Newsletter?
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Impact DuPage is a county-wide initiative of partner organizations working to influence change in the areas of affordable housing, access to health treatment, behavioral health treatment, substance abuse and healthy lifestyles. FORWARD is Impact DuPage’s vehicle to help influence residents and partners to make positive choices regarding nutrition, physical activity, and the built environment
to improve health status improvement.
For more details and to stay up to date on local progress, click
here
and subscribe to their twice a month newsletter.
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Help Us Get the Word Out!
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Do you know of an upcoming event or health fair in DuPage County?
5-4-3-2-1 Go!
®
is a public education message with recommendations for children and families to promote a healthy lifestyle.
- 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
- 4 servings of water a day
- 3 servings of low-fat dairy a day
- 2 or less hours of screen time a day
- 1 or more hours of physical activity a day
For helpful resources and ideas on how to incorporate this message in your DuPage County organization click
here
.
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We would like to thank our funders!
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