By Vanessa Dabovich
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/krwg/local-krwg-975204.mp3
Las Cruces, NM – Healthy Kids Las Cruces is an initiative that was started four years ago with a mission to create collaborative efforts to empower Las Cruces children, youth and families to change eating and physical activity behaviors to those that promote health and prevent obesity.
Since its creation city officials, educators and local healthcare representatives have come together to create programs and educate children and their families.
Health Promotion Manager Dawn Sanchez says Healthy Kids Las Cruces is seen as a model around New Mexico.
Sanchez- "It's been stated that this generation of children is the first generation that won't outlive their parents and that's the first time in history. So it's really a charge for us to pull together and make some changes for fit generations of children within our community."
The program has a home base at Conlee Elementary School and has created and implemented physical and nutritional programs in schools as well as creates community school gardens.
The program plans to move forward by assessing local food systems and looking into ways to access locally grown food throughout Dona Ana County.
The El Paseo Corridor project is another area the initiative plans to partner with the city on. A goal of the program is to incorporate recreational opportunities and healthy living choices into the El Paseo area.