JLCCkitkOverview

The Junior League of Corpus Christi’s program addresses childhood obesity, healthy living and the local epidemic of diabetes by providing education on how to prepare healthy snacks and meals, as well as activities that encourage children to go outside and be active. JLCC collaborated with the residency program at the local Driscoll Children’s Hospital to create the curriculum.

Community partners

  • Driscoll Children’s Hospital Residency Program
  • Amistad Community Health Clinic
  • The Mayor’s Physical Fitness Council
  • Corpus Christi Independent School District
  • Latchkey Afterschool Program
  • City Parks and Recreation Department

How it works

JLCC’s Kids in the Kitchen program consists of cooking classes that use a curriculum developed by Driscoll Children’s Hospital pediatricians, children’s fitness activities that take place after the already-established Downtown Sunday Bridge Walk, and a teaching garden, which JLCC will be planting at Amistad Community Health Clinic.  JLCC will also assemble garden kits, which will include the tools necessary to start a garden and a curriculum on gardening, nutrition and fitness.

 What’s the impact?

The program will promote a measurable increase in knowledge regarding children’s health and nutrition while lowering participating children’s Body Mass Index. The program will also increase the number of city-wide fitness activities available for children and the number of community gardens throughout the city. The Kids in the Kitchen initiative expected to reach 5,000 children over the course of nine months.