As information with COVID-19 continues to develop, KidWorks is continuing to follow State and Health Department guidelines. KidWorks is taking immediate, and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of our community and safeguard the health and well-being of our students, families, staff, and partners.
Celebrating our ‘star’ students: Maritza Urquiza is setting the table for healthy eating in Santa Ana
This April, our KidWorks blog series will highlight two extraordinary students. All of our students are “stars” in our humble estimation, and the two we’ll introduce you to this month are examples of how your support develops them in ways that make them contributing members of society throughout their entire lives. In this installment, we are proud to feature Maritza Urquiza.
No one ever has to tell seventh grader Maritza Urquiza to eat all her vegetables.
In fact, she may be the one doing the telling!
That’s because this conscientious KidWorks student has made it her personal mission to help fight obesity and bring healthy eating to all residents of Santa Ana.
Just ask Emma O’Brien, our Youth & Community Engagement Coordinator for Health and Nutrition.
“Martiza is a youth representative for Santa Ana Health & Nutrition Advocates (SAHNA), a youth action team that is part of KidWorks Youth Empowerment Network,” Emma says.
In this role, Martiza plays an integral part in our partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District to upgrade kitchens and cafeterias, while also providing students with nutritional choices that they will find appealing. As part of that collaboration, our youth are developing a survey that SAUSD can use to help identify and provide healthier breakfast and lunch options.
For Martiza, healthy eating habits are just as important at home as they are at school.
“Martiza strives to live a healthier lifestyle in her own home, and encourages her family to do the same,” Emma says. “She and the other youth enrolled in our SAHNA program have also set their own personal health goals, including eating a healthier diet.”
Emma says that Martiza has really grown in her leadership abilities and self-confidence during the time she’s been part of SAHNA.
“I have personally seen Maritza develop as a leader,” Emma says. “She thoughtfully shares her ideas, keeps our team on track and leads by example.”
Emma also applauds all the SAHNA students who she says are “changing central Santa Ana from the inside out and in a very positive way.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
Pass the Carrots: Our Students Are Learning All About Good Nutritional Choices
Did you know that every day at each of our centers, our students are served a nutritional snack before they get down to the business of completing their homework?
Now, that effort just got stronger, thanks to a team led by Emma O'Brien, our Youth & Community Engagement Coordinator for Health and Nutrition.
Emma and a group of our students have formed the Santa Ana Health and Nutrition Advocates (SAHNA).
“We have launched a social media campaign that highlights the effects of sugary beverage consumption on our bodies, as well as other health related facts and yummy recipe tutorials,” Emma says.
The campaign will include content posted on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on this timely and vital initiative.
