MANHATTAN, Kan. – Seven Kansas PRIDE communities are being awarded grants of $3,000 each to fund community-based youth and adult partnerships to enhance opportunities for health-promoting physical activity in their community.
“The cash awards, titled ‘Get It-Do It!’ grants, were awarded though an application and review process sponsored by the Kansas PRIDE Program and K-State Research and Extension,” said Elaine Johannes, Kansas State University Research and Extension youth development specialist.
The PRIDE Program is a community-based and volunteer-driven community and economic development program co-administered by K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Dept. of Commerce, she said.
“PRIDE Program goals encourage communities to identify their needs and the resources to meet the needs,” said Nadine Sigle, K-State Research and Extension agent from Osborne County, who, is working with the PRIDE Program this year to support the community development initiative.
“While the goal for the “Get It-Do It!” grants is to promote health within the community, in pairing youth and adults and encouraging partnerships, we also are creating opportunities for youth to have a voice in their community,” Sigle said.
Johannes explains the benefits from a youth development perspective: “If youth know that they can be heard and can contribute to their community, they can be more likely to return to raise their family within the community.”
The 2011 awards for the “Get It-Do It!” grants are the fourth in a series of community-building opportunities offered in cooperation with the Kansas PRIDE Program, the K-State School of Family Studies and Human Services and K-State Research and Extension, Johannes said. The 2011 award recipients are listed in alphabetical order:
* Alton, with a plan to involve youth and adults in planning, building, using and promoting a skate park in the community and inviting neighborhood communities to enjoy it as well.
* Council Grove, with a plan to develop, market and maintain the Flint Hills Nature Trail of their community.
* Glasco, with a plan to enhance local participation in K-State Research and Extension’s Walk Kansas fitness challenge, provide healthy food workshops, and support nutrition education, a summer park program and install exercise equipment for community use.
* Grainfield, with a plan to build a clean, enclosed sand volleyball court for recreational activities and competitive teams, and conduct marketing projects to encourage park use.
* Grinnell, with a plan to install and market a basketball fitness station in the city park to promote physical activity and other opportunities to improve health within the community.
* Mt. Hope, with a plan to promote health through a series of community summer events, day-camps, use of the local fitness center, and encourage youth to volunteer and become more involved as leaders in the community.
* Smith Center, with a plan to develop, construct, market and maintain the Fitness/Nature Trail of Smith Center.
Representatives from each of the award-recipient communities also participated in HealthFest at Rock Springs 4-H Center near Junction City, Kan., April 1-2 which equipped youth-adult teams with activities, tools and knowledge to conduct local health events.
The goals for the two-day session included tips for nurturing youth and adult partnerships to build community, tips for engaging youth in meaningful roles, enhancing social capital within the community, and increasing park improvements, summer camps, out-of-school programs and maintaining and/or improving walking trails, Johannes said.
More information about the Kansas PRIDE Program and Get It-Do It! Grants is available at local K-State Research and Extension offices and, online.
-30-
