HealthMPowers

Take a break in your summer activities to check out these amazing Student Health Advocates (SHAs) at Hickory Flat Elementary School! These young leaders transformed a forgotten school nature trail into a vibrant wellness path, complete with physical activity stations. The entire school celebrated on reveal day, and one student even declared it "the best day ever!"

Projects like this drive us forward in our mission to champion healthy habits and transform the environments where children live, learn, and play. Huge thanks to school leaders Jennifer Perkerson, Jennifer Martin, Coach Phillips, and HealthMPowers Health Educator, Alex Robinson, for their incredible guidance. Together, we're building future leaders who will carry these healthy habits into adulthood.

🍑 July's Harvest of the Month: Peaches! We're excited to share a meal planning calendar packed with nutritious and tasty peach recipes for the entire month. Stay tuned because we have more details on how this sweet fruit supports both mental and physical wellness. Grab the calendar: https://bit.ly/3La66e8

A “Beach Bash” party was the perfect way to celebrate the end of another successful year of GEM programming! 🏖️🩴😎 Staff and administrators from HealthMPowers and partner organizations: University of West Georgia, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, and Boys & Girls Club, Georgia all took part in the fun! The party details were on point - from the sun & sand beachy décor, delicious lunch and drinks, personalized awards, bingo, outdoor games, prizes, and even a piñata! Party guests also went home with a special gift to celebrate all of their hard work… check out their reaction! 😍

Learn more about GEM at: gempower.org

We are thrilled to express our heartfelt gratitude to the LuLuMa Foundation for their generous grant to HealthMPowers. This contribution will significantly advance our mission to champion healthy habits and transform the environments where children live, learn, and play. Their support fuels our commitment to creating a future where all Georgia's children are nourished and active. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.

Last post on our final board meeting of the year and we want to lift up our amazing Youth Advisory Board (YAB). Last week, the HealthMPowers Board of Directors, YAB, Advisory Council, and staff all came together, but it was the YAB who truly shined! They presented on youth leadership and shared their vision for the future, inspiring everyone. Afterward, they participated in a youth advocacy training session with Mary Kate Chapman from GUIDE, Inc.

We value youth voice and lived experience, and it was affirming to hear from the YAB that they feel seen and heard by staff and leadership at HealthMPowers because they can see their ideas being implemented in our programs and evaluation measures. They are empowered and ready to make a real impact in their communities, and we look forward to working alongside them as they become change agents. Thank you, YAB, for your incredible contributions and dedication!

Board

Congratulations and best of luck to Mary Rozier! 🎓

Mary, a recent graduate of Eagles Landing High School, will be attending the University of Pennsylvania to study bioengineering and run track this fall! Mary makes a positive impact wherever she goes, and her leadership on the Youth Advisory Board will be greatly missed. We are so proud of you, Mary, and can't wait to see you cross the finish line!

🎓 Farewell and Congratulations, Marie Surprenant! 🎓

Marie, a recent graduate of North Eastern Preparatory Academy, is off to Oglethorpe University this fall to study business management an public communications. Her leadership and contributions to our Youth Advisory Board have been invaluable. Marie, we are so proud of you and excited to see all the amazing things you will achieve!

And she has nice things to say about us! "I am so proud and thankful to have been part of such an incredible organization and the people involved. I've learned so much from my time and will take it with me to college and beyond. Pursuing business management and public communications in the future, this has helped me see what the future holds for me and just how much more I want to pursue management so one day I can have a business with the values of HealthMPowers." ~Marie Surprenant

Another really incredible moment from our last board meeting of the year: Two years ago, Rohan Rajpurohit approached us with the visionary idea of starting a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) at HealthMPowers. His willingness to share his experiences and innovative ideas on engaging youth were instrumental in establishing the YAB and recruiting members. Now a sophomore at Emory University, Rohan is stepping down as chair of the YAB, but will continue to serve on our board of directors. Thank you, Rohan, for your unwavering dedication and for helping transform HealthMPowers into an organization that truly centers youth voices.

🌟 We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Christi Kay Award Winner: Anaise Quirindongo! 🌟

There were many special moments during our last board meeting of the year, and this was definitely a highlight. Anaise's dedication and passion for our mission have been truly inspiring. She even brought Christi Kay back to HMP HQ to be present for the announcement! From her nomination:

"Anaise Quirindongo epitomizes outstanding leadership, driving forward not only our mission at HealthMPowers but also fostering our organizational culture. Her profound expertise in evaluation has been and will continue to be instrumental in transforming HealthMPowers. Anaise's absence would leave a significant gap in our ability to articulate the remarkable impact of our collective efforts with a DEIA lens always. Beyond her formidable knowledge, Anaise demonstrates exemplary leadership, seamlessly engaging with staff at all levels and managing her workload with a contagious smile. She embodies HMP's values daily, inspiring colleagues to deepen their commitment to our shared principles.

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In 2020, upon the retirement of the long-time CEO of HealthMPowers, Christi Kay, an award was created in her name to annually recognize a board or staff member who embodies the spirit of the mission of HealthMPowers.

What an incredible day! For the first time ever, HealthMPowers Board of Directors, Youth Advisory Board (YAB), Advisory Council, and staff came together for the final board meeting of the year. The energy and enthusiasm in the building was unmatched as we celebrated our shared commitment to championing youth voices and breaking down barriers to good health.

The YAB did an amazing job presenting on key issues facing youth today and laid out a bold plan to engage youth and adults in their communities to foster change. As champions of youth voices, we were thrilled to hear that members of the YAB feel seen and heard as we tackle these issues together. We'll be sharing key takeaways and special moments from the day all week. Stay tuned!

(pictured l-r)
Pic 1: Jennifer L. Owens, HealthMPowers CEO, Rohan Rajpurohit, YAB chair, and Keith Perkey, board chair, welcome everyone and lay out the plan for the day.
Pic 2: YAB members Ayshia, Rohan, Pratima, and Álvaro present the YAB's purpose and vision.
Pic 3: YAB members Pratima and Álvaro discuss the importance of cultural competency.
Pic 4: Staff members Adria, Anaise, Sequoya, and Chris give an overview of HMP programs.
Pic 5: Staff, board, and YAB mingle.
Pic 6: YAB members with Diane Allensworth.

(l-r) School Nurse Janet, Health Educator Kim Santijanna, and Project Directors Heather Rice and Susan Balogh, help over 100 families, bus drivers, and staff shop from the Sugar Hill Elementary School's food pantry.
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This incredible effort, in collaboration with our friends at Helping Hands Ending Hunger INC. , has provided over 61,000 meals to students and families across GA while reducing food waste in schools. Together, we're making a powerful impact! More info: https://bit.ly/3vWwXXl

Gwinnett County Public Schools

Early Care and Education Educator, Laurel Gunnells, RD,LD, and HMP staff kid Lily, had an amazing time at the APS Office of Early Learning Funfest, hosted by Atlanta Public Schools at Whitefoord Early Learning Academy! The event was a delightful day filled with fun activities, giveaways, and invaluable resources from community partners like the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Atlanta Falcons.

The Funfest is designed for incoming Pre-K and rising Kindergarten students and their families to ensure a smooth transition into the '24-'25 school year.

Whitefoord, Inc.

🏆 It's HMP tradition to hand out three special awards at our annual Spring Party...

The coveted GOAT award went to Suzanne Glenn, VP of Programs! Suzanne's passion, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to our mission make her the ultimate all-around star. We're lucky to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic leader. Congrats, Suzanne!

Photo 2: All award winners (l-r)
Unsung Hero: Dan Scudder, Multimedia Designer
Meme Master: Vicky Monasterolo, K-12 Project Director
GOAT: Suzanne Glenn, VP of Programs

🏆 It's HMP tradition to hand out three special awards at our annual Spring Party...

A huge round of applause for our Unsung Hero award winner, Dan Scudder, Multimedia Designer! Dan's invaluable contributions often fly under the radar, but her hard work and dedication are truly the backbone of our team. Thank you, Dan, for all that you do!

Photo 2: All award winners (l-r)
Unsung Hero: Dan Scudder, Multimedia Designer
Meme Master: Vicky Monasterolo, K-12 Project Director
GOAT: Suzanne Glenn, VP of Programs

🏆 It's HMP tradition to hand out three special awards at our annual Spring Party...

Drum roll, please! 🥁 Our Meme Master award went to none other than Vicky Monasterolo, K-12 Project Director! Vicky's sense of humor and ability to send the perfect meme keeps us 😂 😂 😂! Keep 'em coming, Vicky!

Photo 2: All award winners (l-r)
Unsung Hero: Dan Scudder, Multimedia Designer
Meme Master: Vicky Monasterolo, K-12 Project Director
GOAT: Suzanne Glenn, VP of Programs

🎉 We celebrated the end of the school year with our annual Spring Party. Theme: Game Night! From board games to kazoo karaoke, the HMP team let their (very) competitive spirits shine and had an absolute blast.

Thank you to all of the children, students, families, educators, staff, and supporters who have absolutely ROCKED this school year with us. We hope you all have an amazing summer!❤️

🌟📢 Join our team! We're looking for a part-time Health Educator to join our K-12 team. If you're passionate about collaborating with schools to promote and deliver nutrition and physical activity education, please apply! https://bit.ly/hmpcareers

🚗🍎 Chris Stewart, Grant Administrator and Heather Rice, Project Director, stopped by to help our partners at Radloff Middle School kick off their first drive-thru food pantry. Over 50 families came through to pick up nutritious food!

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This incredible effort, in collaboration with our friends at Helping Hands Ending Hunger INC., has provided over 61,000 meals to students and families across GA while reducing food waste in schools. Together, we're making a powerful impact! More info: https://bit.ly/3vWwXXl

One of the most common barriers we hear from the people we work with is affordable access to healthy food. That's why we are proud to highlight our partners, Carla Harward and Helping Hands Ending Hunger INC., as this month's HealthMPowers Champions. Together, we've provided over 61,000 meals to students and families while reducing food waste in schools! Learn more about our inspiring partnership: https://bit.ly/3vWwXXl

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HealthMPowers Champions are advocates who are working towards advancing health equity, food and nutrition access, and mental wellness.

📣 New Resource Alert! Simplify your mealtime routine and nourish your body with easy and wholesome meals. Visit our website to download our Monthly Meal Planning Calendars, crafted by our Early Care and Education (ECE) Health Educator and resident Registered Dietician, Laurel Gunnells, RD, LD. Simply check the "recipes" filter on our Resources for stress-free, delicious, and nutritious meals! https://bit.ly/3Tpbtd5

Calling all enthusiastic, creative, and committed Georgia public school students that will be in the 9th-12th grade for the '24-'25 school year! Join the HealthMPowers Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and be the voice of change. Apply: https://bit.ly/3TItgxi

YAB member perks:
🌐 Earn community service hours
🔍 Receive training to be community advocates
🎓 Access college and job recommendation letters
🤝 Attend exclusive networking events
🌈 Shape the future with crucial insights from the youth perspective.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now! https://bit.ly/3TItgxi

Unlock the Power of Proper Nutrition! 🍎✨ Fueling your body with nutritious foods isn't just about physical health—it's also essential for your mental wellness! Here are five reasons on how eating more nutritious foods can boost your mood:

🧠 Enhanced Brain Function: Nutrient-rich foods provide the essential vitamins and minerals your brain needs to function optimally, supporting cognitive abilities like memory, focus, and problem-solving.

😊 Mood Regulation: A well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help stabilize mood swings and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety by promoting the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

💪 Improved Stress Management: Eating nutrient-dense foods helps your body better cope with stress by regulating cortisol levels and supporting the adrenal glands, leading to a calmer, more resilient mindset.

🛌 Better Sleep Quality: Certain nutrients, such as magnesium and tryptophan found in foods like nuts, seeds, and poultry, can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

🌿 Overall Well-being: Whole, unprocessed foods nourish your body from the inside out, strengthening your immune system, supporting gut health, and reducing inflammation—all of which contribute to long-term mental and physical wellness.

Join the HealthMPowers team and make a difference! We're on the lookout for passionate individuals ready to champion healthy habits for children. If you're driven to transform environments and empower young lives, we want YOU!

Visit our Resources page to discover a treasure trove of tools for a healthier lifestyle. From educational materials to tasty recipes, we've got everything you need to nourish your body and mind. Don't miss out—explore our resources today! https://bit.ly/3Tpbtd5

👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿 Let's give a round of applause to Keandra and Adria for their outstanding presentation at the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) Convention 2024! They shared their insights on what motivates youth, along with strategies to keep them engaged and empowered in leading program development and implementation.

Calling all enthusiastic, creative, and committed Georgia public school students that will be in the 9th-12th grade for the '24-'25 school year! Join the HealthMPowers Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and be the voice of change. Apply: https://bit.ly/hmpyab24-25

YAB member perks:
🌐 Earn community service hours
🔍 Receive training to be community advocates
🎓 Access college and job recommendation letters
🤝 Attend exclusive networking events
🌈 Shape the future with crucial insights from the youth perspective.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now! https://bit.ly/hmpyab24-25

Join us and our incredible partners at Helping Hands Ending Hunger INC. at the 40th Annual Atlanta Community Food Bank's In-Person and Virtual Hunger Walk Run this Sunday! In-Person Event at The Home Depot Backyard from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Registration: HungerWalkRun.org

This month, we've been recognizing the amazing work and sacrifices that Black farmers have made to keep their land and combat food insecurity in the Black community. Read our latest story on our first HealthMPowers Champions, sisters Tianna and Alyse Neal. Tianna farms Starlit Roots, in Keysville, and Alyse is one of our K-12 Health Educators! Be inspired here: https://bit.ly/starlitroots

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HealthMPowers Champions are advocates who are working towards advancing health equity, food and nutrition access, and mental wellness.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Boggs Academy National Alumni Association, Inc. Wholesome Wave Georgia