The Medibank Community Fund (MCF) has awarded a $20,167 community grant to JSW Training & Community Services in Bunbury, Western Australia.
The grant will enable JSW Training & Community Services to continue its 'Tone Up Tuesday' program which aims to provide interactive and engaging health activities to young people that promote physical exercise, healthy cooking and food budgeting.
Each Tuesday, participants will join in a one hour fitness session at a local gym, and have access to the City of Busselton's Community Garden Project, where they will learn vital life skills in growing locally grown produce.
Medibank State Manager for WA, Andy Bray, said the program embraced the Medibank Community Fund's priorities of promoting healthy eating, physical activity and greater community connectedness -the key selection criteria for the MCF grants program.
"Medibank employees on our Regional Council from across WA, expressed overwhelming support for JSW Training & Community Services' application because their program grapples with the long-term physical and psychological effects of obesity and teaches young people how to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing", said Mr Bray.
"The Medibank Community Fund grants program supports local, grassroots initiatives that aim to create a lasting and positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of people in the community and JSW Training & Community Services and its "Healthy and Active" program are doing just that".
JSW Training & Community Services' CEO, Posy Barnes said the program is a vital resource for the Bunbury community.
"Participants will design their own healthy menus and gain nutritional knowledge, experience the taste of fresh foods and learn preparation and safe food handling procedures. At the end of the program there will be a cook off where participants will get to show off their new skills to the community," said Ms Barnes.
JSW Training & Community Services is one of 42 recipients chosen from more than 900 applications across Australia and New Zealand to receive a 2014 Medibank Community Fund grant.