Many activities are currently underway in Hampton Roads to prevent or reduce childhood obesity, but more work needs to be done. Beginning in June 2008, JLNVB dedicated its community projects to improving the health of Hampton Roads’ children by inspiring parents and children to make healthy eating and exercise a regular part of their lives. Over the next three years, the Healthy Kids Initiative will help to develop the diets, bodies and minds of children with the listed community partners through multiple projects.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER NETWORK!
Without your dedication and support, The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. would not have the powerful positive impact on the community that it does!
Community Partner Network
Barbara (Babs) Benson, RN, BSN, Program Manager, CHKD Pediatric Healthy You Weight Management
Babs is a registered nurse, parent educator and the manager of the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Healthy You Pediatric Obesity Program. Since its inception in 2001, Barbara has overseen the expansion of this program which includes a multidisciplinary approach to aiding families to better health. The program has been featured in numerous newspapers, TV, radio, magazines and the WHRO documentary “Surviving Abundance”.
Barbara is also a past chairperson of the CINCH obesity work group and a recipient of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Katherine S. Robeson Award for outstanding leadership in pediatric healthcare.
Vickie Madison, Founder and President, Excellence Girls’ Club, Inc.
Vickie attended Norfolk State University where she received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Psychology as well as taught Psychology of Adolescence as an Adjunct Professor. Additionally, Vickie has obtained the Academy of Excellence, Nonprofit Management Certificate from Tidewater Community College and is certified as a Virginia Supreme Court General Mediator. She has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years with children in the areas of positive youth development, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, gay and lesbian issues and mental health. She has extensive experience in conflict resolution, individual, family and group therapy.
Vickie is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a sustainer with the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. and a 2008 graduate of LEAD Hampton Roads.
Erin Glace, MSPT, Owner and Founder, Healthy Girls
Erin holds a masters degree in physical therapy and has spent the majority of her career (15 years – minus a few extended maternity leaves) focusing on pediatrics and women’s health. She resides with her husband and three children in Chesapeake, VA.
Craig Hamilton, Personal Trainer, Jim White Fitness Studios
Craig has been affiliated with the fitness industry for over 10 years. He has competed in Power lifting and Bodybuilding competitions nationwide. He does a lot of local community volunteering with youths and is active on several community boards. Craig specializes in all levels of fitness and always challenges his clients to exceed their goals. He is married with two boys.
Sharon Liddle, Founder, The Elijah Foundation
Sharon is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. She graduated from Christ the King School, Norfolk Catholic High School, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University with a B.S. in Family & Child Development. For over 20 years, she has worked in the various fields of child and family development, most recently in the arena of international adoption.
In Sharon’s yearning to give a tangible gift to her son, Eli, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of just nine, she wrote the story, Eli the Bipolar Bear. Soon, other characters and stories were developed. Subsequently, Sharon founded The Elijah Foundation and Child Heroes Publishing as a means to help educate children across the nation and around the world.
Sharon has four children – Joshua, Elijah, Thomas and Kate. She enjoys spending her free time watching her children compete in various sporting activities. Sharon lives in Norfolk, VA.
Susan Mayo, Vice President of Consumer Affairs & Public Relations, Farm Fresh Supermarkets
President Farm Fresh Charitable Foundation
Susan Mayo is the Vice President of Consumer Affairs and Public Relations for Farm Fresh Supermarkets. Susan has worked in the food industry for over 30 years. The majority of her career has been spent with Farm Fresh Supermarkets when she created a position as a part time Consumer Affairs Director in 1977. She is currently responsible for her company’s customer communication programs, media and public relations, and community relations programs.
During the course of her career, Susan has been distinguished with numerous awards for her professional services and program initiatives. Recent honors include being named the Hampton Roads Outstanding Business and Professional Woman of the Year in 2004. In 2002 and 2009, she was awarded the Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Friend of the Family Award, and the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast Woman of Distinction Award. In 2004, Susan was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Award. Susan is a member of the Society for Consumer Affairs Professionals, Public Relations Society of America and the American Association of Consumer and Family Scientists. In 2005, Susan was honored by the Junior-League of Norfolk Virginia Beach with an honorary sustainer award. She is an active member of the Food Marketing Institute’s Consumer Affairs Council and she has served as a past chairperson. Susan is an honorary life member of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. And serves on the board of directors for the Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc., Downtown Norfolk Council, Old Dominion University Health Advisory Board and the Sentara Hospital Board of Trustees.
Lucy Gibney, MD, Founder, Dr. Lucy’s Cookies
Dr. Lucy Gibney is a board certified Emergency Physician, specialty food manufacturer and mother of a child with severe food allergies. Through the brand “Lucy’s”, she is creating and marketing delicious, high quality and convenient foods for people who must follow diets that do not contain major food allergens. Dr. Lucy is a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Trish O’Brien, Director, CHIP Chesapeake
Trish O’Brien has spent the past twenty years in service to the community. Trish has led a variety of programs including refugee resettlement, neighborhood revitalization, child abuse investigation & prevention. She has led social justice causes and advocated for the rights of the poor and disenfranchised. Each experience reinforced a belief that the most effective way to improve the future of a community is to reach children early and to give parents the skills, encouragement and hope needed to raise a successful child.
Trish was named Executive Director of the Chesapeake Health Investment Program (CHIP) in 2006. Since that time, she has worked with the staff, Board of Directors and community leaders to increase public awareness to issues facing children ages 0 to 6 and to create a stronger Chesapeake community by helping parents raise healthier children. CHIP of Chesapeake now serves over 3,00 families a year providing new parents with the tools they need to help their children reach their full potential.
Lynn Skeele-Flynn, Sr. Vice President of Program and Leadership Development, YMCA of South Hampton Roads
Lynn has held various roles over her 33 year career with the YMCA. She worked in the Greater Houston and Greater Rochester YMCA Associations as well as YMCA of the USA. She is Faculty Trainer for various Health and Wellness and Leadership Development programs. She is routinely requested to speak at engagements addressing the growing health concerns of youth today.
As Sr. Vice President one of her roles includes Project Manager for the YMCA initiative Activate America: the YMCA’s response to the nation’s growing health crisis, by engaging communities across the country to provide better opportunities for people of all ages in their pursuit of health and well-being in spirit, mind and body.
Lynn has been married 28 years to her high school sweetheart. They have two sons, Derrick an Architect in Los Angeles, and Brandon a 4th year Professional Golf Management student at New Mexico State University.
Senator Ralph Northam, District 6, Senate of Virginia
Dr. Ralph Northam is a third generation native of the Eastern Shore. Ralph is currently a Child Neurologist at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. He served 8 years active duty in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Major. He has worked at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters since 1992 as a Pediatric Neurologist.While maintaining an active practice, Ralph has established himself as a leader in the community. He has nine years of volunteer service as a Medical Director and a member of the Board of Directors for the Edmarc Hospice for Children. In 2006, he was honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service Local and State in Washington, D.C. for his outstanding service to the hospice.
In his short time in the Senate of Virginia, Ralph has sponsored successful legislation to protect natural resources, improve public health, and modernize voting. Most recently, he worked with Governor Tim Kaine and a bipartisan coalition of legislators to enact a ban on smoking in Virginia restaurants. Ralph is married and has two children.
Delegate Paula Miller, 87th House District – Norfolk, Virginia
Delegate Paula Miller has been a member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2005. She is the Public Information Officer for the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office and worked previously as a television news reporter and substitute anchor for WTKR-TV 3 Norfolk, VA from 1984 to 1999.
Delegate Miller serves on multiple Boards:Gateway Bank-Norfolk-Advisory Board Member, Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Board, and Pungo Strawberry Festival Board. She is a member of the Greater Wards Corner Business Association, Governor’s Public Safety Memorial Commission, League of Women Voters, Greater Pinewell Civic League, East Ocean View Civic League and Holy Trinity School Parent Teacher Organization. She is married with two wonderful children.
Donna Seward, Division Director, WIC & Community Nutrition
Virginia Department of Health
Donna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management from Park College in Fort Bliss, Texas. Donna is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), the National Association of WIC Directors (NAWD) and is the State WIC Director representative to USDA’s National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition for 2006- 2009. With over 30 years of experience as a WIC Director, Donna has administered the WIC program for San Marcos, Texas from its inception, which included writing the grant proposal and acquiring staff as well as establishing purchasing procedures and accounting practices. Donna has also served as WIC Director for 15,000 participants per month in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties in Texas.
As the Director of the Division of WIC and Community Nutrition Services (DWCNS) in Richmond, Virginia, Donna manages all aspects of the Department including community nutrition, WIC nutrition education, breastfeeding, operations, vendor relations and information technology, as well as the coordination of all grant submissions related to those areas.
Brooke Mercedes, Sports Nutritionist, Bon Secours In Motion Sports Performance
BS in Human Nutrition, University of Kentucky
Dietetic Internship, University of Delaware
Specialty in Sports Nutrition
Nationally-ranked swimmer
Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., Manager, Jill Weisenberger Health Communications, LLC
Dietitian, National Clinical Research, Inc.
Jill shows her passion for food and nutrition through her writing, speaking, consulting and nutrition counseling. Her mission is to help others eat both nutritiously and deliciously. As owner and manager of Jill Weisenberger Health Communications, LLC, Jill uniquely combines her food and nutrition expertise with her public relations and writing skills to assist both the food and healthcare industries.
Jill is Nutrition Expert for LifeScript and Online Nutrition Expert for My Family Doctor. She is a frequent guest on local radio and television stations and has been quoted in many web and print publications including Today’s Dietitian, LifeScript and the textbook Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology (Nelms, Sucher and Long, 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole).
She earned her master’s degree in human nutrition at the University of Florida in 1990 after first earning a degree in advertising. She became a registered dietitian in 1991 and a certified diabetes educator in 2002.
Jim White, RD, ACSM HFI, Owner and Fitness Trainer, Jim White Fitness
Areas of expertise include Behavior and Lifestyle Modification; Fast Food; Healthful Shopping; Men’s Nutrition and Sports Nutrition and Fitness
Jim White is the founder of Jim White Fitness Studios. He also conducts health seminars for schools, sports teams, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, corporations and health clubs. Jim White “lives the life” in every sense of the word competing in bodybuilding competitions and running marathons across the country. In fact, The Virginia Pilot quoted him as “one of the fittest people on the planet”.
Jim is also an avid fitness writer self publishing the author of “Jim White’s Fit in 30 Plan.” White is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a health fitness instructor and wellness coach. White is the current president of the Tidewater Dietetic Association and was awarded the prestigious “Dietitian of the Year” award. He is a graduate of Youngstown State University.
Sandra “Sam” Fabian, Community Outreach Program Manager, CHKD
Sandra “Sam” Fabian, for the last 9 years has been the community outreach program manager and parent educator for CHKD. She coordinates and implements classes and trainings for both parents and professionals in our community, is a regular on WVEC channel 13 parenting spots, is often quoted in the local papers on the various parenting topics and is the chair of the Hampton Roads Parenting Network (HRPEN). Sam graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Health Education degree and earned her Masters degree in Student Personnel Administration from SUNY Buffalo.
Ann Sleigher, Owner, The Little Gym of Virginia Beach & The Little Gym of Chesapeake
Ann Sleigher has been operating The Little Gym in Virginia Beach since 2005 and The Little Gym in Chesapeake since 2007. Operating both gyms has been a family venture with Ann’s mother, Betsy Williams, and sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Randy Garver. The Little Gym is the world’s premier motor skill development program for children with classes in non-competitive gymnastics, sports skills development, karate, dance and cheerleading. The Little Gym has over 300 locations in 19 countries around the world and the expert-designed curriculum for children 4 months through 12 years of age is delivered in a safe, fun, nurturing environment. At The Little Gym, children learn the same skills that are taught in any conventional gymnastics program but the classes are taught in a low-pressure, confidence-building style where the motto is that a child doesn’t have to be the best, but they should just try their best. The program is designed to develop children’s physical skills, provide cognitive learning opportunities, improve emotional development, and encourage socialization. Ann enjoys working with hundreds of children and their parents each week! Ann resides in Virginia Beach with her husband, Bill.
Richard Harris, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CRPC, Fitness Instructor, Author, Teacher and Coach
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Richard received his Bachelor’s Degree from Old Dominion University and began his career as a teacher and coach. He has over 30 years experience as a Certified Financial Planner in Virginia Beach where he has developed a practice focusing on wealth accumulation and conservation and business succession planning issues. In June of 2003, Richard passed the American College of Sports Medicine certification exam to become a Certified Health & Fitness instructor.
Richard’s most recent community involvement is with CINCH, (Consortium for Infant and Child Health) in association with Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is an advocate for policy and legislative changes that benefit children and families, especially as they relate to physical activity and obesity prevention.
Richard has published three books: “Who Taught You About Money?”, a children’s book on money and finance, and If I Had A Penny…. for younger children learning to count from a penny to a dollar. His most recent book, “I’m Walking, I’m Running, I’m Jumping, I’m Hopping…..” , a fun book for kids focusing on increased physical activity and making healthy food choices.
Kathy Young, Owner and Founder, Healthy Girls
Kathy Young graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Minnesota State University. She has worked with many companies in a sales and marketing capacity while always maintaining a humanitarian edge to her career. She too resides in Chesapeake, VA with her husband and 2 children.
Helen Phillips, Senior Director, Child Nutrition Services, Norfolk Public Schools
Barbara Robinson RN, BS, NSCN, Supervisor of Health Services, Chesapeake Public Schools
Edwina Gray, Health Educator, Portsmouth Community Health Center
Douglas Gregory, MD, Lakeview Pediatrics
Deputy Secretary Aryana Khalid, Secretary of Health and Human Resources
aryana.khalid@governor.virginia.gov
Joanne Kinsey, Director of School Nutrition Services,
Chesapeake Public Schools System
Ipek Taffe, The Planning Council
Kyatanya Towe, Coordinator, CHIP Portsmouth
Page Bishop-Freer, Hampton Roads Health Journal
Joanne Boise, Division Director-Child & Adolescent Health, Virginia Department of Health
Dia DuVernet, Executive Vice President, The Up Center
Organizations and Agencies
Chesapeake Public School System
School Nutrition Services
www.cpschools.com/departments/food_services/index.html
The School Nutrition Services Department of Chesapeake Public Schools provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 18,000 students and breakfasts to more than 4,000 students each school day through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch and National School Breakfast Programs. In 1998, Congress expanded the National School Lunch Program to include assistance for snacks served to children in after school educational and enrichment programs. Last school year, over 9,400 snacks to students participating in these after school programs
CHIP of Virginia
The CHIP (Comprehensive Health Investment Project) of Virginia network is responsible for increasing access to health care for thousands of Virginia’s low income children and their families. CHIP targets children from birth to age six, when comprehensive prevention-oriented services make the greatest impact in the life of a young child.
CHKD Weight Management Program
www.chkd.org/services/healthyyou
The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Weight Management Program was developed in 2001 in response to the growing concern over childhood obesity. With a physician’s referral, children can participate in our ten-week “Healthy You” lifestyle series. These classes offer: group setting in which the child and parent learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices; age-appropriate groupings of children to maximize learning, interaction and group dynamics; interactive learning experiences centered on choosing healthy foods and snacks and portion control; exercise demonstrations illustrating easy ways to incorporate physical activity into daily routines; Discussions on self-esteem and body image; the opportunity to be with peers struggling with similar weight management concerns; and nutritionist guided supermarket tour to facilitate healthier food selection and preparation techniques.
Support, enthusiasm and hope from experts in the field and peer participants.
The Elijah Foundation
http://theelijahfoundation.org
The Elijah Foundation is a community-based non-profit organization that provides books and encouragement to children with diseases, disabilities, disorders, or low self-esteem challenges. These books help to build self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-awareness as a first principle of healing within every child.
Excellence Girls’ Club, Inc.
Our mission and vision is to empower young women by exposing them to positive experiences while developing leadership skills that will enhance their ability to become future leaders in the community.
Farm Fresh
Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy was formed in 1957 as a neighborhood grocery store with world class service. From the very beginning, community involvement has been an important part of Farm Fresh. Our name was even chosen from entries submitted by local residents.
Today, Farm Fresh is recognized as the premier grocer in the Hampton Roads-area. Annual Reader’s Choice polls consistently name Farm Fresh as the area’s best grocery store. Farm Fresh prides itself on providing its customers with competitively-priced products, clean stores, one-stop shopping services, and a large selection of quality national and regional brands.
Healthy Girls
www.healthygirls.net
The mission of Healthy Girls is to provide young girls a foundational knowledge of nutrition, exercise, body awareness and good self-esteem in a non-judgmental and supportive environment.
We will help girls become healthy, confident and productive leaders of tomorrow. The Healthy Girls Program provides: self-esteem enhancement specific to young girls; a fitness program tailored for individual needs and goals; the benefits of group and individual exercise during each session; a progressive exercise program geared toward long term success; and nutritional education for making good food choices.
In Motion Sports Performance
http://www.bonsecoursinmotion.com/sportsperformance/index.php
Being an athlete isn’t about what sport you play. It’s who you are. We know this, not just because our In Motion team members are excellent physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists and trainers, but because we are athletes, too. Our experts know exactly what it takes to keep you strong and healthy all through your life. In our experience, athletes of all ages and skill levels benefit from sports performance analysis. And the best recovery from injury involves hard work and exact guidance. Each analysis done by our clinician/athletes uses the best technology available to solve the problems of how to improve performance, and how to prevent and heal sports injuries.
Jim White Fitness Studios
There are three Fitness studio locations in Virginia Beach. Whether at Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios (where hundreds of people have lost thousands of pounds!) or in the privacy of your own home, you can take advantage of all the fitness expertise our experienced team of motivators can offer.
At Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios, our fitness programs are proven and life-changing. These programs, whether they’re intended for individuals or groups, the young or young-at-heart, the novice or the experienced, are priceless!
The Little Gym of Virginia Beach at Hilltop
http://www.thelittlegym.com/VirginiaBeachatHilltopVA/
Our professionally developed, non-competitive programs have been designed to build motor skills in a fun and nurturing environment, while fostering enhanced emotional, intellectual and social skills. For over 30 years, parents have relied on The Little Gym® to help their kids build the skills and confidence that will enhance every aspect of their lives. Children are encouraged to try their best, not be the best. This philosophy has served The Little Gym and its members well, and it now sets the standard for high-quality children’s development programs.
Norfolk Public School System Child Nutrition Services
The 457 child nutrition employees of Norfolk Public Schools Child Nutrition Services Department has as its main objective the assurance that every student has the opportunity to obtain nutritious, well-balanced meals which provide the necessary energy for the proper physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.
To achieve our mission, the Child Nutrition TEAM includes nutritionists, support staff, central kitchen supervisors, child nutrition managers, and truck drivers who plan, produce, deliver, and serve over 11,000 school breakfasts and 25,000 school lunches on a daily basis.
The Planning Council
The Planning Council’s mission is to plan, develop and manage human services to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. The Planning Council is a member of the National Association of Planning Councils and the United Way of South Hampton Roads. Every year we touch thousands of lives: preventing homelessness; licensing and training child care providers; offering crisis intervention and connections to resources; helping parents balance work and family; and working with communities to solve human service problems.
Portsmouth Community Health Center
Portsmouth Community Health Center is a not-for-profit, community-based, primary medical care organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare, while maintaining patient safety, to the residents of Portsmouth, Norfolk and the surrounding areas without regard to their ability to pay. Community Health Centers are non-profit community based health care providers whose health care facilities are located in medically underserved areas or health professional shortage areas. They provide primary care, and in many cases, dental care, laboratory services, pharmaceutical services, behavioral health and preventive health.
The Up Center
For 125 years, The Up Center has identified and responded to the ever-changing needs of our community’s most vulnerable individuals. From infancy to the senior years, we provide innovative and effective programs and services including: Foster Care and Adoption; Parent Education; Family Strengthening Programs; Youth Mentoring; Financial and Housing Counseling; Services for People with Disabilities; Veterans Counseling; Support for Seniors; and Violence Prevention.
Virginia Department of Health
The mission of VDH is “To promote and protect the health of all Virginians.” Our vision statement is “Healthy people in healthy communities.” To fulfill our mission and achieve our vision, VDH’s scope of responsibility is very broad and far reaching.
YMCA of South Hampton Roads
The YMCA is a movement about people – all ages, races, religions and incomes. Each YMCA is governed by a volunteer board of community leaders. Our charitable mission allows YMCA programs and services to be available to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Join your friends and neighbors at the YMCA and experience how we “put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
