3rd Annual ZOMBIE Run/Walk

The Full Circle Youth Program hosted their 3rd Annual ZOMBIE Run/Walk event on Saturday, August 16th. Over 75 participants of all ages came out to enjoy a morning of exercise and community. As a whole, event participants ran and walked over 200 miles. Two youth tied for the most miles run/walked at 10.5 miles each. The most active adult of the day walked 10 miles. Sunglasses, wrist bands and sunscreen from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment shaded and protected ZOMBIE participants as they enjoyed a humid and hazy Lawrence morning.

Hailey Gillespie from Theatre Lawrence provided ZOMBIE make up and entertained youth with ghoulish games and stories. Local running store, Garry Gribble’s, donated shoe coupons and distance stickers so each individual could proudly show how far they had run/walked during the event. Nearly all participants completed at least a 5k (3.1 miles) with several participants traveling farther. Several members of Full Circle’s ZOMBIE Run/Walk Club that have been logging miles throughout the summer earned their marathon stickers by passing 26.2 miles run/walked.

Kansas Action for Children provided the hydration station for the event. Participants were provided a Pass on Pop water bottle for taking the pledge to pass on pop and other sugary drinks on Sundays. “One in three Kansas kids is overweight or obese. For adults, that number jumps to two in three. Passing on soda – and other sweet drinks – just once a week is an easy way to improve overall health.” For more information, go to the Pass on Pop website at http://kac.org/passonpop.

Youth Explore Art with Project YAC

The Youth Arts Collaborative (Project YAC) was a collaborative effort between Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority’s Full Circle Youth Program, several local organizations and local artists to bring new and exciting art-related activities to youth participating in the Full Circle Youth Program. Funded in 2013 by a generous grant from the Lawrence Community Arts Commission, Project YAC provided youth with opportunities in photography, drama/theater and painting.

Project YAC supported the continuation of the Full Circle Youth Program’s Creative Arts Workshop. This is a weekly program allowing youth to express themselves through several different art mediums including games, drama and creative projects.

The photography component included a tour of the Spencer Museum of Art print room and discussion of different types of and reasons for photography with Spencer Museum of Art staff. Students were given digital cameras and guidance on mastering different photography techniques from local photographer, Kelsey Hunter. At the conclusion of the program, students were allowed to keep the digital cameras for continued use. Field trips to places such as the Museum of Natural History gave students an opportunity to practice their new talents in interesting environments. Discussions also included use of lighting, camera angles and distance to provide different perspectives through photography.

The theater component of the program included collaboration with Theatre Lawrence. Youth received a tour of the recently built Theatre Lawrence facility and participated in out-of-school theater programming as well as theater camps at the Full Circle Youth Program facility. Participants read and practiced several short plays and skits, producing a recorded podcast of the classic Abbott and Costello skit, “Who’s on First”.

The painting component included a collaborative piece where youth painted their representation of the four seasons. Over 20 youth participated in the preparation and creation of the projects. Six youth that were most involved in the project received art kits to continue creating works of art at home.

Snow Day!

How did you spend your snow day? Youth at the Full Circle Youth Program enjoyed an afternoon full of activities and fun. Though most of Lawrence was closed, staff opened the doors of the out-of-school program at the Barbara Huppee Community Facility to provide youth with a fun, safe way to spend their time off of school.

Youth enjoyed a snowball fight with Resident Services Director, Carrie Lindsey, and made snow angels in the freshly fallen snow.

Full Circle staff prepared black bean noodle and vegetable broth soup to warm youth after playing in the snow.

Youth enjoyed board and card games, especially a new program favorite, Ratuki. Youth also utilized the snow day to catch up on homework and receive some tutoring.

Everyone wrapped up the afternoon relaxing and watching a movie with hot chocolate Almond milk. Yum!

VIDEO: Revenge of the ZOMBIE Walk and Born Learning Trail

ZOMBIE attack!! Edgewood Homes was invaded by zombies on Saturday, August 17th for the 2nd Annual ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run. Nearly 100 participants of all ages enjoyed a morning of zombie face painting, games, activities and snacks.

This year’s event also marked the opening of Edgewood’s Born Learning and ZOMBIE Trails. The Born Learning Trail is a United Way and Douglas County Community Foundation funded project that highlights a trail of games, activities, and learning for families and their young children. Families are encouraged to tell a story, hopscotch, and enjoy some playtime together!

Click here to read more about the ZOMBIE Walk and Born Learning Kickoff event.

ZOMBIE Invasion at Walk/Bike/Run Event

ZOMBIE attack!! Edgewood Homes was invaded by zombies on Saturday, August 17th for the 2nd Annual ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run. Nearly 100 participants of all ages enjoyed a morning of zombie face painting, games, activities and snacks.

This year’s event also marked the opening of Edgewood’s Born Learning and ZOMBIE Trails. The Born Learning Trail is a United Way and Douglas County Community Foundation funded project that highlights a trail of games, activities, and learning for families and their young children. Families are encouraged to tell a story, hopscotch, and enjoy some playtime together!

The recently designated ZOMBIE Trail is a part of the Douglas County Housing, Inc. ZOMBIE Health Initiative and includes the inner loop of Edgewood Homes. By walking, biking or running this loop twice, residents will know they have traveled nearly one mile. Signs funded by the Kansas Health Foundation mark the trail and provide helpful health and wellness tips. The trail is contained within the neighborhood and safe for individuals of any age to use!

Below, members of the ZOMBIE Club, a Topeka Community Foundation funded health and wellness club for youth, show off their best zombie impressions on the trail.

Several organizations throughout Lawrence attended this event, giving families a variety of ways to be active and make healthy choices together. Safe Kids distributed over 50 bicycle helmets to youth throughout the community.

Success by 6, Tiny-K, Head Start, Douglas County Child Development Association and Parents as Teachers provided games and information to young children and their parents.

The LOL Family Zone hosted a challenge course for little zombies.

Lawrence Public Library signed families up for library cards and hosted a reading tent.

K-State Research and Extension had a snack station where children and their parents could assemble a healthy snack.

Representatives from the Lawrence Community Theatre provided zombie make up and face painting.

PLAY from the University of Kansas Applied Behavioral Science Department encouraged participants to play street tennis. They have also partnered with DCHI to encourage youth to utilize activities they enjoy to stay active this fall.

The Lawrence Fire Department provided tours of their fire truck, helped fit youth with bicycle helmets and participated in a game of soccer.

Staff from Douglas County Housing, Inc. and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority would like to thank these organizations for helping make this event a success!

Thank you to teens in the Full Circle Youth Program for assistance painting the Born Learning Trail and volunteering at the ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run!

Youth Put Art Talents to Work

Youth and staff from the Full Circle Youth Program at the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority are combining fun, art and education for a good cause! This summer, six youth helped paint a Born Learning Trail in Edgewood Homes. The trail consists of ten signs highlighting different activities and games parents can play with their small children. An emphasis is placed on interacting with children and helping them find different ways to experience the world around them. The materials for this project were provided by the United Way of Douglas County and Douglas County Community Foundation.

This is one of several volunteer projects the Full Circle Youth Program is working on this summer. An interest in volunteering and giving back to the community was sparked by a Produce for Kids Veggie Party prize, a $100 gift card to make donations at DonorsChoose.org. Other projects Full Circle youth are developing and involved with include volunteering at the Lawrence Humane Society and the Lawrence Community Shelter as well as beautification projects at Edgewood Homes. These projects will continue throughout the school year as time and busy schedules allow.

The opening of the Born Learning Trail will be celebrated at the 2nd Annual ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run on Saturday, August 17th from 9am-12pm at Edgewood Homes, 1600 Haskell Avenue. Youth will be on hand to lead groups walking the trails as well as different activities throughout Edgewood Homes. Several local organizations attending this event include Head Start, Lawrence Public Library, LOL Family Zone, K-State Research and Extension, Parents as Teachers, Safe Kids, Success by 6 and Tiny-K. The rain date for this event will be Saturday, August 24th. For more information about the 2nd Annual ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run contact Mary Orem at 785-331-4418 or morem@ldcha.org.

Youth Enjoy New Opportunities at Summer Camp

The annual Full Circle Summer Camp was a great success! This summer, staff from the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority took a group of 22 youth to Tall Oaks in Linwood, Kansas for a weekend of fun in the sun. Youth ranging from 7 to 14 years old spent three days and two nights at this year’s camp, making it the longest and largest to date. Activities included swimming, horseback riding, a challenge course and hayride complete with bonfire and s’mores.

As an extension of Douglas County Housing, Inc.’s ZOMBIE Health Initiative, every aspect of camp was utilized to build confidence, teach new skills and instill healthy habits in youth. The weekend was spent “unplugged” as youth were discouraged from bringing cell phones and electronic devices and were encouraged to participate in a variety of interactive games and activities instead.

The allotted swimming time each day ensured youth would be active and exercise while having fun. Horseback riding gave many youth the opportunity to branch out and experience something new. A challenge course allowed youth 12 and older to work together, use critical thinking skills and boost their self confidence while mastering challenges. Each of the six youth that participated in the challenge course shined in different ways. Youth learned that they could not only contribute, but were needed to complete each task.

Youth also enjoyed the opportunity to spend several hours each day at a park and playground. Campers played games such as volleyball, basketball, soccer and tether ball. They also learned and fell in love with a new active and exciting game called Gaga Ball. During free time, several youth hiked some of the various trails around Tall Oaks and explored a memorial Labyrinth. Healthy meals and snacks were provided throughout the weekend. Guidelines of the ZOMBIE Health Initiative such as portion size, eating fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water were highlighted throughout the weekend.

Staff from Douglas County Housing, Inc. and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority would like to thank the staff at Tall Oaks for helping make this summer camp an overwhelming success. Staff would also like to thank Larabar for their donation of snack bars.

 

Walking School Bus Finale

After three years of operating, the New York Elementary Walking School Bus has completed its final semester. The program has been a great success with thirty-one students participating this year alone. “Bus drivers”, consisting of volunteers from the community, the University of Kansas and United Way’s AmeriCorp program and staff from New York Elementary and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, assured that students safely walked the 1.5 mile route between New York Elementary and Edgewood Homes. Despite the prolonged winter, the Walking School Bus operated 64 days this year with an average of 8 students walking per day. The students alone walked a total distance of 700 miles. That is one and a half times the length of the entire state of Kansas.

by DouglasCountyHousing

These students should be applauded for their commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle. At a celebration on Tuesday, May 21st, students were presented with a certificate of participation and a few prizes for a job well done. Members of Walk Kansas and the Lawrence Fire and Medical Department joined staffs from New York Elementary and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority to present the awards. Each student received eight issues of the Walk Kansas Kids newsletter. Each newsletter has healthy information, activities and recipes the whole family can enjoy. We hope it will encourage students to continue walking and being active throughout the summer. Each student also received a ZOMBIE water bottle and dog tag courtesy of the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and Douglas County Housing, Inc. After the presentation, students enjoyed a healthy snack before walking home with staff and recruits from the Lawrence Fire and Medical Department. Susan Johnson of Walk Kansas had this to say about the program, “The partnership between New York Elementary School and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority to offer a Walking School Bus to younger students is an excellent example of the community working together to promote health and wellness. Not only does it help children achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day, it also fosters a sense of teamwork and friendship. In addition, the Walking School Bus provides children the opportunity to learn about their own neighborhood, traffic safety as well as gain responsibility and a sense of independence.”

by DouglasCountyHousing

Individual miles walked by these students were quite impressive. Twenty six of the thirty one participants walked more than ten miles throughout the school year. Six students walked more than twenty miles, two students walked more than thirty, four students walked more than forty, one student walked sixty miles and the participant logging the most miles was a New York Elementary kindergartner who walked a total of eighty-one miles.

by DouglasCountyHousing

We hope these students continue their healthy habits and encourage their peers to do so as well.

by DouglasCountyHousing

Veggie Party Prize Excites Youth About Service

In October 2012, the Douglas County Housing, Inc. Full Circle Youth Program hosted a Veggie Party as a part of the Produce for Kids Party With Your Produce Challenge. Youth and their families enjoyed an afternoon of edible art, veggie puppets, snacks and Veggie Bingo. Produce for Kids awarded the Full Circle Youth Program with a third place prize and a $100 gift card to DonorsChoose.org.

A group of Full Circle middle and high school students recently used this prize to donate toward classroom projects in the Lawrence/Kansas City area. After exploring the DonorsChoose.org website, students chose to donate the prize money to three elementary classrooms in need of piano keyboards, literacy learning centers and a innovative science experiments. This eye opening experience has inspired these youth to find other ways to contribute to the community. Plans are being developed for several community service projects this summer as well as smaller projects that will be continued throughout the school year.

Check out the results of the Kids Party With Your Produce Challenge at: http://www.produceforkids.com/sweepstakes/fall2012/teacher/index

The Full Circle Youth Program’s Veggie Party is mentioned in the second to last paragraph.

Walking School Bus Keeps on Rolling

The New York Elementary Walking School Bus rolls through another great semester in stride! Now in its second year, the “bus” has continued to develop and this fall changed its route to better utilize East Lawrence’s Burroughs Creek Trail as a safe route home for students. The 1.5 mile route begins at New York Elementary and incorporates several “bus stops”, including Boys and Girls Club at East Heights, before ending at Edgewood Homes.

On Friday, November 30th, during a Character Counts assembly at New York Elementary, students were recognized for their hard work and persistence. Seventy five percent of participants walked at least ten miles throughout the semester with two students walking more than twenty, two more than thirty, and three students reaching over forty miles walked. Nearly thirty students participated in the Walking School Bus this semester with an average of fourteen students walking daily. Congratulations to all of the students who participated in this program and invested in a healthier future!

The “Walking School Bus” was created in 2011 by a partnership between New York Elementary, Douglas County Housing, Inc. and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. With a generous grant from the Live Well Lawrence Fund of the Douglas County Community Foundation, students and their families have been offered a fun and healthier alternative to motorized transportation. This program provides physical activity, encourages healthy lifestyles, and gives children a time to socialize with friends. After four semesters and with the help of the community, the New York Elementary Walking School Bus has been a great success! “The walking school bus builds on New York Elementary’s belief in neighborhood schools.  When kids walk home together, students from different grade levels a have a chance to be together and build lasting friendships,” said New York Elementary principal, Nancy DeGarmo. “I’ve walked with the walking school bus and love interacting with the kids and seeing them in a totally different environment.  The kids have fun walking and so do the adults.” This semester the Walking School Bus was provided four days a week with some students walking nearly every day!

Volunteers continue to be of the utmost importance to this program. This semester, staff from Douglas County Housing, Inc. and New York Elementary as well as volunteers from United Way’s AmeriCorps program, several sororities at the University of Kansas and members of the community came together to safely walk students home. The staff at Douglas County Housing, Inc. and New York Elementary would like to thank these volunteers for their hours of commitment to making this program a success!

The Walking School Bus is in need of volunteers and community partnerships to help ensure the sustainability of the program. If you or your organization is interested in becoming a volunteer bus driver or helping with our program, please contact Mary Orem at morem@ldcha.org or by calling 331-4418.