Learning Community receives $75K Blue Cross grant

CENTRAL FALLS – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has announced that it has awarded The Learning Community, a K-8 public charter school serving Central Falls, Providence and Pawtucket, a $75,000 grant to fund Not Just Gym, a nutrition and physical activity program to engage students and their families in a lifelong commitment to exercise and healthy living.
In collaboration with local partners, The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living and Shri Yoga Studios’ Shri Service Corps, The Learning Community will use funding for Not Just Gym to deepen their health and fitness programs. New additions will include expanded afterschool programs and integrating activity monitors and circuit training into physical education courses. While programming will reach students who are overweight or obese, the ultimate goal of Not Just Gym is to cement healthy living in all of the school’s students and extend that behavior by working in partnership with families.
“The theory behind Not Just Gym is that by engaging students in a wide variety of initiatives, they will adopt habits that evolve into lifestyle changes. Families are our most important partners, so it just makes sense to include them in this initiative,” said Sarah Friedman, Co-Director of The Learning Community.
In July 2013, BCBSRI issued a call for Letters of Inquiry from organizations seeking BACHG funding, specifically seeking programs that aim to combat childhood obesity in Rhode Island communities. Out of twenty-one agencies, three collaborations were chosen to receive $75,000 grants. The BACHG program provides one year of funding and an opportunity to reapply in year-two for transitional funding, if successful performance outcomes have been achieved.

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