By SARAH GENGLER, Messenger staff writer
Success seems to be the theme for the Community Action Network and its new challenge is making Fort Dodge healthier with a program called Healthy Living.
Since 1997, CAN has started more than 75 different programs in areas such as health enhancement, youth development, parenting education, community betterment, citizen support and aesthetic development. This time it will partner with Trinity Regional Medical Center in providing the education necessary for kids to make healthy living choices.
“It’s healthy to celebrate accomplishments and achievements of the past,” said Randy Kuhlman, director of CAN, as he welcomed people during the program’s kick-off.
Healthy Living is made up of a number of groups with Trinity, CAN and Iowa State University Extension working to bring the program to fruition.
“We’re working with Katie Moser from Trinity who goes into the classrooms to talk to kids about healthy eating and exercising, and ISU Extension to develop measurements for the program’s success,” said Tom Tibbitts, CEO of CAN. “We’re moving in a new direction.”
Jim Hallihan, executive director of Iowa Sports Foundation, which is also known as Iowa Games, was the keynote speaker at the event Thursday at L.A. Beemer’s on Central and stressed the importance of programs like it to communities overall.
“If you don’t do these things you can lose a community,” he said. “Not only have you done a wonderful job, which I’m amazed by, you can’t stop doing them.”
Character Counts, another program Hallihan touched on, is one he believes changes the lives of not only students, but entire communities.
“I think this is the most important thing going on in Iowa. More than 800 schools have gone through Character Counts training,” he said. “I like it when the community gets involved; otherwise you see schools disappear.”
Community Action Network has started programs such as THRIVE, BLAST after school program, Shellabration and the City of Fort Dodge Recreational Study.
Contact Sarah Gengler at (515) 573-2141 or sgengler@messengernews.net
