Help SOSMentor Win a Spotlight Award (And Reach Even More Students!)

We are thrilled to announce that SOSMentor is a nominee for the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards! The awards recognize outstanding organizations, teachers, schools, and more for positively impacting California children's physical activity and fitness levels.

The Gold Medalist winner in the Organizations category will receive $10,000, Silver receives $2,500, and Bronze receives $1,000. Winning one of these Spotlight Awards would enable SOSMentor to bring our life-changing programs to even more students.

That's where you come in! To show your support and help SOSMentor receive this funding for our ShapeUp programs, please visit the Nominees page, scroll down to SOSMentor ShapeUp, and click "Like": (http://bit.ly/juUZcv)

SOSMentor's ShapeUp programs have a measurable impact on California youth: 15% of the students in the 2007 ShapeUp program at Santee Education Complex lowered their BMI, moving them out of the "obese" category. Based on surveys administered before and after the program, students reported an average 31% increase in perceived physical fitness level.

SOSMentor has also witnessed amazing success stories, like those of Jasmine Barcia and Alex Yarza, 2010 ShapeUp participants at Hollywood High School. They used to weigh 180 and 220 pounds, respectively, and both suffered from high cholesterol and pre-diabetes. After participating in ShapeUp 2010, both are at a healthy weight and have reversed their obesity-related health problems.

We are proud of the work we have done to increase the physical fitness and overall health of our students, and are excited to continue providing essential nutrition and fitness education in the future. We thank you for your support and are grateful to the California Governor's Council for providing this great opportunity!

First Lady Announces New Plan to Expand Healthy Food Access

"How can we eat healthy if we can't buy healthy food where we live?" This is a question that 23.5 million people, over a quarter of them children, must face every day. That's because they live in "food deserts," communities where healthy, affordable food is hard to come by. The city of Baldwin Park in Los Angeles County, for example, has "6 fast food restaurants and a convenience store for every 1 grocery store," according to Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano.

Yesterday Mayor Lozano joined First Lady Michelle Obama and other stakeholders in the childhood obesity crisis to announce a new initiative to expand access to healthy food. Major food retailers such as SUPERVALU, Walmart, and Walgreens will be building new stores or expanding existing ones in communities that currently have limited access to fresh food.

Here in California, the FreshWorks Fund will provide $200 million to encourage retailers to build new grocery stores in underserved areas and help existing stores get the equipment they need -- such as refrigerated cases -- to stock fresh, healthy food.

We are hopeful that this initiative will make it easier and more affordable for families in Los Angeles, and across the nation, to get the good nutrition they need. As the First Lady put it, "No child should be consigned to a life of poor health because of the neighborhood that his or her family lives in."

View part of First Lady Michelle Obama's speech below:

Kids Live Well Campaign Promises Healthier Options for Kids

Coming soon to a restaurant near you...healthier options for kids! Thanks to a National Restaurant Association campaign called Kids Live Well, a network of restaurants including Burger King, IHOP, Denny’s, Chili’s, and El Pollo Loco will now be offering at least one kids’ meal under 600 calories and with a more healthful nutritional profile, according to an article in today’s LA Times.

Additionally, Burger King has decided to start asking customers whether they want milk instead of soda and sliced apples instead of fries, rather than automatically giving them the less healthy options. This will hopefully promote awareness of the healthier choices and prompt parents to choose them more often.

Nineteen restaurants have signed on to the Kids Live Well campaign, promising to offer kids’ meals that have at least two items that are either fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins or low-fat dairy.

Although participating restaurants are only required to have one meal and one side dish that meet the nutritional standards set forth by the campaign, the initiative brings hope that restaurants will start taking an active role in combating childhood obesity, encouraging parents to consider healthier options for their kids, and raising awareness about the importance of healthy eating. 

Join SOSMentor's Team ShapeUp in the 2012 Honda LA Marathon!

Do you want to help raise money to defeat childhood obesity? Join Team ShapeUp in the 2012 Honda LA Marathon and "go 26.2 for a healthy youth!" By running in a marathon together, we can unite our collective energy and raise the necessary funds to endow students with the tools to lead healthy, successful lives.

Why should you join Team ShapeUp?

• It's a fun way to stay in shape! Participating in a Marathon is a great way to increase your physical fitness. You don't need to have experience or be a runner. Last year, SOSMentor Co-Founders Bob and Carole Donahue (70 and 65 years old, respectively) walked in the Marathon -- if they can do it, you can too, with the support of Team ShapeUp. Just imagine the feeling of accomplishment you'll have after finishing!

• You will be supporting a great cause! By raising funds for SOSMentor, an official charity of the LA Marathon, you will help to support programs that provide much-needed nutrition and physical education in our schools. You'll be running for a reason: the future of our kids!

• You will be a role model for our youth! When you join Team ShapeUp, you become a shining example of active, healthy living for our youth and the community. Most of our kids aren't getting enough physical activity and we need role models like you to set a good example!

• We will support you every step of the way! Our training program will provide you with all the support you need, including weekly group training and nutrition tips. This is a team effort and we are here to inspire and encourage you every step of the way. We will be providing rewards and incentives, such as nutrition counseling, fitness gear, and special dinners for each fundraising goal you meet! 

So you want to join? Great! Sign up to receive Team ShapeUp email updates, send an email to info@SOSMentor.org, or call us at (818) 222-4243 to get more information. For now, all you need to do is prepare mentally. Registration begins August 1, 2011, training starts September 17, and the LA Marathon is March 18, 2012.

If you won't be able to run, but still want to help, you can: 

1. Participate in the 5K Run/Walk

2. Sponsor a student

3. Donate to Team ShapeUp through our Crowdrise page

Visit our website and contact info@SOSMentor.org or (818) 222-4243 for more information. We look forward to running with you in the 2012 Honda LA Marathon!