United Way of the Wabash Valley
"Healthy Kids in Mind and Body Project"

The United Way of the Wabash Valley Community Health Impact Council (UWWV CH) is collaborating with the Youth Success Impact Council (UWWV YS) in encouraging applicants to propose projects that will address the overall health of area youth. In particular, they are looking for projects that will improve the mental, behavioral, and physical health and well-being of children ages 6 to 18 (K-12).

Recent studies describe the rise in the number of young people across the country who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, and aggression. According to a US Surgeon General’s report, in 2021, 4 in 10 students (42%) felt sad or hopeless, and almost one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. Afterschool and summer programs play an essential role in supporting the healthy development of young people, serving as a safe space that fosters belonging, develops supportive relationships with peers and adult mentors, encourages healthy behaviors, and helps young people build and cultivate the skills necessary to navigate through the struggles and challenges they may come up against in life.

Program Offering
The UWWV CH and YS councils are seeking proposals for innovative programs that address the overall health of the youth participants. Programs may be conducted during the school year, summer 2025, or other out-of-school time. Proposed projects can take a variety of approaches to addressing the overall health of students with a more holistic approach. Priority will be given to programs that show the following attributes:
• Program serves youth in rural counties: Clay, Parke, Sullivan, and Vermillion counties in Indiana, and Clark County in Illinois.
• Programs form collaborations/partnerships among organizations.
• Physical exercise is integrated with one or more of the following: social/emotional well-being, mental health, life skills, and food and nutrition.