Why does HealthCorps® work?

1) It’s fun & interactive: There are lots of cool handouts and gadgets for the kids — such as pedometers. We watch and discuss fun movies like Supersize Me with them. Kids become activists & entrepreneurs: through programs like "Healthy Bodega," "Healthy Snacks," and "Healthy Halloween." They go on field trips to the OR; they touch real human organs.

2) It’s a Mentor experience: Oftentimes, it’s taught by someone who is not much older than the students; someone who is on their way to grad school; someone who is a role model for the kids; someone who the kids trust.

3) Coordinators are vested in the Community: And HealthCorps tries to prospect from within the community in which the Coordinator will be teaching; our Coordinators are vested in their communities and they know their communities.

4) Holistic Health: In the holistic concept of health inherent to HealthCorps, health is much more than simply the absence of disease. Health is a state of well-being - a sense of inner power, self-worth, control over one’s life and environment. The ability to form and maintain personal relationships and feeling connected to the larger community all have positive impacts on health.

5) It’s easy to implement so we don’t threaten or scare Administrators:

a. It’s self-funded, thus ensuring its continuation throughout the school year and preventing it from diverting monies from mandated academic programs. HealthCorps provides $75,000 to run the program from the end of June (commencement of HealthCorps coordinator training) through the end of the school year the following June.

b. HealthCorps provides staff to implement and teach the program. Thus, it does not drain valuable school administration and instructor time.

c. HealthCorps seeks to supplement not supplant a school’s current health and wellness curriculum. It is designed to fit a school’s needs and fill voids. If a school wishes, our coordinators will integrate into a Biology, Health, Home Economics or Wellness class or hold luncheon or elective period HealthCorps seminars. Prior to the commencement of the program and after a school has filled out their school agreement, our Director of Education meets with school administrators to establish the particular schedule that best fits their school.