Author: Lorie Dunn
Planning Unit: Grant County CES
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Northern Kentucky School Districts counted 2,939 students as homeless during the 2016-17 school year. The figure includes Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties. These children were either living on the street, in cars, shelters, low cost hotels, or with family and friends. The Grant County Nutrition Education Program (NEP), in conjunction with Lovesome Stables Equitherapy Staff and Volunteers, Upspring, and a Grant County’s Master Food Volunteer, had the opportunity to work for two days with homeless youth from Northern Kentucky. Lovesome Stables Equitherapy provides a therapeutic equestrian environment for individuals with life challenges and Upspring works to serve the educational needs of homeless children and youth. One of the Upspring instructors stated that several of the children were dealing with mental health issues. The sixty children, who attended the program, ranged in ages from six to sixteen. In addition to their time getting to ride horses, fish in a pond, and do an art project, Grant County NEP had the opportunity to do lessons from the Professor Popcorn curriculum with the children. They were given the opportunity to make their own lunch in addition to learning about handwashing, food safety, the nutritional importance of dairy foods, and my plate. The children were very proud of preparing their own lunch. Several stated they never had the opportunity to cook before. One child stated “I’ve never had food like this before, it’s really good.” By the end of the program the children could identify the food groups, recalled half their plates should include fruits and vegetables, and demonstrated proper handwashing techniques.
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