RD94 - Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth 2011 Annual Report


Executive Summary:
This year I am thrilled to share with you the news that the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth’s Y Street volunteer group won the nation’s highest award for youth advocacy in the fight against tobacco use! At a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May 2011, Y Street received the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ Youth Advocates of the Year group award. (You can read more about this on page 21.) In the last year, Y Street has also received national recognition from the Food and Drug Administration and Y Street members were honored to meet with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin and Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel.

We at VFHY are so proud of the thousands of young people who have donated their time across Virginia to educate their peers, communities and family members about the dangers of tobacco use. Their ongoing efforts help us continue our success in achieving major reductions in youth smoking in Virginia.

I am also happy to report that in 2011 VFHY helped forge and support sustainable community coalitions to address childhood obesity on the local level, funding our first 22 Healthy Communities Action Teams (HCAT) grantees. These teams are implementing local strategies such as establishing farmers’ markets to increase community access to fresh produce; increasing physical activity in children enrolled in after-school programs; creating and maintaining community gardens; and establishing safe, neighborhood playgrounds.

VFHY is working closely to reduce and prevent childhood obesity with partners across the state, most notably First Lady of Virginia Maureen McDonnell, who has been a steadfast supporter of our efforts to help Virginia’s children learn to lead healthier lifestyles.

By reducing and preventing youth tobacco use and childhood obesity, VFHY continues to make a great impact on the health of youth in Virginia by teaching them how to make healthy choices that will last their entire lives.

Sincerely,

Marty H. Kilgore

Executive Director
Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth