New North Citizens’ Council Receives Health New England Where Health Matters Grant

Posted on December 17, 2020

Health New England has awarded Springfield, MA-based New North Citizens’ Council a Where Health Matters grant of $50,000 in support of Project Coach. Working directly with Springfield Public Schools and Smith College, Project Coach aims to improve health and educational outcomes for youth in Springfield by empowering teens to serve as mentors and coaches to younger children, thereby increasing opportunities for youth to be physically active and engage in activities that promote health, wellness, and social cohesion.

At Health New England, we understand the important role that education plays in building a healthy community. However, a blend of different factors often leaves children and families in Springfield facing some of the area’s greatest health inequities. Springfield Public Schools are Title I schools, with 83% of students designated as “high need” students. In partnership with Smith College and Springfield Public Schools, Project Coach supports the internalization of healthy behaviors and development of leadership skills while promoting safe and fun physical activity.

As part of the grant, Project Coach will work with 20 high school students and 200 elementary school students across the city. High school students will receive remote training to develop leadership skills and increase social emotional skills (SEL), such as growth mindset, emotional regulation, confidence, communication, and conflict resolution. By May 2021, teen coaches will receive remote mentoring and targeted academic support from Smith College students that improves their academic skills and college readiness.

In addition, teenage students will work with elementary school students to increase physical activity and re-engage students while learning remotely. Elementary school students will participate in “brain breaks” led by the high school students designed to keep young students active while also reducing screen fatigue.

Project Coach is a joint effort between the New North Citizens’ Council, Smith College and Springfield Public Schools. The organization has trained, mentored and coached nearly 100 high school students, leading more than 1,000 student athletes in organized sports leagues across five different schools since being founded in 2003.

Thank you, New North Citizens’ Council, for helping educate and empower Springfield as our next generation of leaders.

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