Spotlight On: Plymouth Christian Youth Center
Located in inner-city North Minneapolis, Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) is a nonprofit organization serving youth and families that was founded in 1954. Despite the many barriers that they face in their lives, more than 6,000 young people each year go to PCYC to learn and grow as individuals as well as within a community. In fact, its mission attests to that spirit of learning and growth, by “enrich[ing] the skills, prospects, and spirit of North Minneapolis area youth and adults, in partnership with families and communities.”
This past summer, despite tough economic times and an overwhelmed budget, PCYC remained determined to bring health and wellness to the forefront of its summer children’s program, using teachable moments to help kids understand the value of healthy living. With a thoroughly engaged staff, not only did PCYC revamp its children’s meal program, walking away from a no-cost meal source to seek out healthier options, but it literally brought healthy food to life for the youth enrolled in its summer program. In conjunction with the Wise Kids Outdoors program and a grant from the University of Minnesota, PCYC planted a garden full of nutritious vegetables so that the children would learn how easy it is to grow nutritious food – and how good it tastes! The Wise Kids Outdoors program really sparked the children’s natural curiosity about the outdoors and helped them realize and appreciate that nature can be found right outside your door, even if you live in a city!
Plymouth Christian Youth Center is another great program taking active steps to create Healthier Kids, Healthier Communities, and a Healthier World!
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