North Shore United Way Awards $30,000
Community Impact Grant to Pathways

New Movin’ It Program to Address Growing Crisis of Childhood Obesity

The North Shore United Way has awarded a $30,000 Community Impact Grant to Pathways for Children in Gloucester to address the growing problem of childhood obesity. The grant will fund a new program, called Movin’ It, that will incorporate fun lessons and activities about exercise and nutrition into Pathways after-school and vacation programs. Pathways provides quality, affordable after school care year-round to 120 Cape Ann children ages 5 to 13.

Parent involvement is a hallmark of Pathways’ programs and Movin’ It will be no exception — both children and their families will participate, bringing life-changing lessons about health into the home. ‘The need for this kind of health-enhancing program for children has never been greater,’ said North Shore United Way President Margo Casey in awarding the grant. ‘The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that childhood obesity has risen dramatically in the past decade. Pathways has developed an impressive plan for tackling this challenge with the children in its care.