PARK DISTRICT & PARKWAYS FOUNDATION LAUNCH NEW ABBOTT FUND WELLNESS PROGRAM IN HUMBOLDT PARK
Release Date: 08/19/09
The Chicago Park District and its nonprofit partner, Parkways Foundation, received $100,000 from the Abbott Fund to launch a new Abbott Fund Wellness Program in Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave.
The new program is the second $100,000 donation from the Abbott Fund for a Wellness Program at a Chicago Park District location following the June 2008 opening at Broadway Armory Par k, 5917 N. Broadway St. The Abbott Fund is the philanthropic foundation of Abbott, a leading global health care company with headquarters in northern Chicagoland.
“This new wellness program is part of a city-wide effort to decrease obesity rates,” said Timothy J. Mitchell, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO. “The generous support of the Abbott Fund will have a positive impact on the health of the Humboldt Park community.”
Recent studies have shown obesity and diabetes as major health issues in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. The new Abbott Fund Wellness Program will provide the community with multifaceted nutrition and fitness programming that includes year-round programming of fitness classes, inflatable jumping gyms, fitness arcading, and more.
Brenda Palm, Executive Director of Parkways Foundation, said, “The Abbott Fund's lead support for this Wellness Program serves as a powerful example of the momentum that private funding brings to launching new health living programming in the parks. This initiative is possible through generous supporters along with key partnerships and collaborations.”
“The Abbott Fund is pleased to partner once again with the Park District and Parkways Foundation to help improve the health of families in Chicago,” said Cindy Schwab, vice president, Abbott Fund. “A key focus for the Abbott Fund is building healthier communities, and this new Wellness Program will help provide fun ways to get fit and learn about nutrition and healthy living.”
The new Abbott Wellness Program is the result of a citywide effort led by the Interdepartmental Task Force on Childhood Obesity, comprised of the Chicago Department of Public Health; Chicago Department of Family and Support Services; Chicago Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning; Chicago Department of Transportation; Chicago Housing Authority; Chicago Public Schools; and the Chicago Park District. Together, these organizations are working to establish wellness centers in high-risk areas of obesity throughout the city of Chicago to meet the health and fitness needs of children and families.
The Chicago Park District’s mission promotes, encourages and motivates the development of a physically active and healthy lifestyle for Chicagoans of all ages and abilities. Every week, one out of three Chicagoans – more than 900,000 residents – uses their neighborhood park, participating in the thousands of program offerings.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529
- Publication Date: 08/19/09