Youth Programs

Children at four Springfield Housing Authority developments are running, jumping and stretching their way to good health and fitness.

Thanks to a grant from Health New England and a partnership between that agency, SHA and Springfield College, children who participate in the after-school programs at Duggan, Moxon, Riverview and Sullivan Apartments are getting daily aerobic workouts in the program called ‘A B Cs of Fitness.’

At the same time they are also getting lessons in things that promote good health, including nutrition, personal cleanliness, good manners and more.

Children in the after-school program at Sullivan Apartments get a healthy lesson before a rigorous outdoor workout as part of the A B Cs of Fitness program.

SHA Residents Services Director Pamela Wells said the eight-week program has already proven beneficial, and will be continued at the sites in some fashion even when the grant ends. Karen Guillette, who works at SHA to infuse literacy and healthy learning into the after-school and summer programs, said the partnership has been great.

“It’s getting the children to move their bodies every day, and to think about things that will keep them healthy,” Guillette said. “You can see when you watch them what fun they’re having, and you know they’re learning good things at the same time.

Three teams of two Springfield College students visit each sites twice weekly to conduct the lessons and run group exercises that keep children on their feet. The college’s Physical Education & Health Education, Exercise Science and Sports Studies departments have developed 17 lessons designed to enhance fitness activities and health awareness. The lessons are continued at each location by program staffers who are there every weekday.

On a recent afternoon Sullivan Apartments, after-school provider Luis Torres said the exercise program may be the favorite part of the afternoon for many children.

“They love it. I love it too. It’s good for all of us,” said Torres, who works at the YMCA, which provides after-school and summer youth programming at Sullivan.

Seven-year-old Kavont Kelly gets ready for a game of ‘Capture the Flag’ outside at Sullivan Apartments.

 Springfield College seniors Korey Higgins and Karen Zelaso visit the family development in the Liberty Heights section of the city twice weekly.

 They start out with group discussions that cover things like manners, good behavior, hygiene, healthy eating and the importance of exercise. Even the discussion sessions often involve physical movement, such as a hand-washing lesson that included running to an imaginary sink and mimicking washing hands while reciting the alphabet.

 One recent afternoon featured a favorite game at Sullivan, ‘Capture the Flag.’ Higgins said the children are an enthusiastic group, and he and Zelaso are enjoying their time there immensely.

 “We like it here a lot,” Higgins said. “This is a method of early education that many of these kids aren’t exposed to on a regular basis. It’s so good for them, and they love it.”

 Seven-year-old Kavont Kelly agreed wholeheartedly.

 “It’s fun. I love it,” he said.

Sullivan Apartments children loosen up before the game.

SHA Executive Director William H. Abrashkin praised the program, saying he is happy it will continue beyond the grant.

“This project addresses a very important unmet need for our residents — physical fitness and exercise, which are closely related to mental and emotional development,” Abrashkin said.  “Equally important, this grant shows the opportunities for grants and collaboration within our community in this subject area.”

Physical education has not always been viewed as an important component of academic development.

However, recent research in neuroscience reveals a strong link between physical exercise and brain development. This research indicates that among many benefits, exercise sparks new brain–cell growth.

Evidence is mounting that aerobic exercise physically transforms our brains for peak performance. Unfortunately, schools are not able to provide sufficient daily physical fitness activities for students during the school day. This is one of the areas in which after school programs can make an important contribution to healthy physical and academic development.

Dr. Kathy Mangano, Director of the Physical Education and Health Education Department at SC notes that they are thrilled to team up with the Springfield Housing Authority’s After School Programs.

She said she believes that children are most receptive to learning about the importance of physical activity and healthy habits, and that they will carry these habits with them throughout their lives if acquainted with them early enough. She emphasized that the curriculum created by the college can also be used by the site directors to continue implementing the program beyond this 8-week program.

‘Capture the Flag’ is not only fun, but it promotes good health at Sullivan Apartments.

Dr. Lynn Ostrowski, HNE’s Director of Corporate Relations, Brand and Population Health Management, said her organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the health status of the people who live in the area. This program in particular fits the bill.

“We are very proud of our collaboration as a funding partner with SHA and SC in the A B Cs of Fitness Project. This program introduces children, at an age where they are most impressionable, to positive lifestyle habits that they can carry with them into adulthood. Not only does the A B C’s of fitness benefit physical health and learning agility, it also prevents the onset on numerous chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity,” she said.