The YMCA
YMCA of Trenton
NJ Partnership For Healthy Kids-Trenton
New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids is a statewide program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In Trenton, the program is led by Isles Inc. and the Greater Trenton Area YMCA.
OUR MISSION- Mobilize the Trenton community to reverse childhood obesity. The partnership focuses on creating communities that support and encourage healthy eating and active living.
THE PROBLEM-Nearly 1 in 2 Trenton children in every age category is overweight or obese. Trenton has the highest rate of pre-school obesity in the nation. Playgrounds are misused, healthy food and beverage options are sparse and students are not participating in regular daily physical activity.
Today’s young people may be the first generation in American History to live sicker and die younger than their parents’ generation.
Research shows that how our kids live and what they have access to directly impacts their behavior and health. When communities have affordable healthy foods and safe places to play and exercise, children are healthier.
THE ANSWER- Make the healthy choice the easy choice.
HOW YOU CAN HELP- Join a workgroup!
- Access to Healthy Foods- Bring corner store/bodega owners together as part of the solution and listen to their concerns/ideas about what it takes to make healthy choices a viable business practice and easy choice for consumers.
- Active Living -Partner with residents and the City of Trenton to adopt and implement a Complete Streets policy. Participate in the design of a new park.
- School Wellness- Strengthen community access to and knowledge of existing resources, brainstorm and implement improved nutrition and physical activity policies, help build a playground.
- Youth Empowerment- Participate in the process by sharing your ideas on what it would take to live a healthier lifestyle, create a photo project, learn how policy and built environment changes can reduce childhood obesity, use social media to advocate best practices surrounding health and wellness.
If you are interested in joining one of our workgroups please contact Marissa Davis, Project Coordinator at or 609.599.9622 Ext. 211.
Monument Elementary School Playground Build Information
145 Pennington Ave. Trenton, NJ 08618
In September Monument was awarded a $20,000 Do-It Yourself KaBOOM! Grant. However the funding has a matching component, meaning we need to raise an additional $10,000- $50,000! We can do it, but we NEED YOUR HELP!
Please click on the Donate link below and help provide 463 Pre- K through 8th grade students a comfortable place to play, grow and enjoy healthy physical activity.
If you are unable to make a monetary donation, please consider joining us on Saturday, August 11, 2012 for our community driven Playground Build Day! Thank you in advance for making our students dreams a reality.
If you are interested in donating or participating in the build please contact Marissa Davis, Project Coordinator at or 609.599.9622 Ext. 211.