Nutrition Education Program Assistant Success Story #1 

Whitney Young Job Corp 

Beth Maxedon, Nutrition Education Program Assistant 

1117 Frankfort Road, Shelbyville, KY 40065 

(502)633-4593 

1/13/2020 

Whitney Young Job Corp in Shelby County is a non-profit organization, dedicated to providing job training services for at-risk & low-income youth from all over the United States and other countries. There are challenges with students from diverse cultures, minorities, and low income. The Nutrition Education Program Assistant addressed Health/Nutrition needs by providing 3 classes of 10 students each, a series from the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum of budgeting, grocery shopping, basic nutrition education, and cooking. Some of the participants had never cooked a meal for themselves and needed hands-on instruction to use cooking equipment. Our classes focused on healthy food, beverages, and lifestyle choices. The introduction of this Nutrition Education Program helped young adults not just survive but thrive.  The instructor said, “It was the first time I noticed my students be so engaged when they participated in a budgeting activity.”   

Through the Shelby County Extension Office, Whitney Young Job Corp instructors have obtained community referrals to incorporate exercise in the classroom and encourage healthy snack & drink choices. The class, evaluation data showed 89% of participants showed improvement in diet quality practices. The inclusion of the series of Healthy Choices for Every Body at Whitney Young Job Corp campus has helped to prepare students for healthy lifestyles and could play a role in improving Shelby County statistics.