LIFT For Teens - Promoting Youth and Family Wellness in Low-Income Communities

LIFT for Teens has two programs, LIFT and Levantate, the Spanish-language version of LIFT.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics the most effective programs for the prevention of obesity teach participants self-regulation and impulse control, decision-making skills, social competence and encourages the reduction of sedentary behaviors. Children enrolled in our programs will demonstrate positive changes in their food choices, patterns of television viewing and overall activity levels. Successful programs for the prevention of childhood obesity focus on individual-level behavior changes and the transition from external behavior motivators to internal ones.

Our theory of change and program design is based upon current research that indicates strong relationships between youth and non-familial adults are key to a successful program (Center for Prevention Research and Development,
2006). Participating children and their families will regularly interact with our supportive and well-trained staff in individual, small and large group sessions. All of our mentors will be trained to provide positive reinforcement and model healthy behaviors with the goal of producing long-term behavioral change in youth.

The LIFT/Levántate! programs will include age-distinct programs based on appropriate developmental needs, target "poor" and "very poor" students and exhibit measurable outcomes.  Participants who attend regularly and embrace our program principles will experience:

• Reduction in body fat percentages
• Reduction in visceral fat
• Improved self-esteem
• BMI-for-age measurements identified as 'healthy"
• Increased strength, flexibility and cardio fitness
• We also anticipate seeing academic improvement, as measured by engagement and achievement.

The LIFT/Levántate! centers are physically and emotionally safe; free of gangs, alcohol, illegal substances and tobacco and dedicated to fitness, nutrition and building positive self-esteem. The LIFT/Levántate! program in operation, schedule and structure is based on an afterschool/out-of-school program format where youth come after school, on weekends and during breaks. It is designed to be a place-based "club" model with strong, nurturing relationships between adults and youth, and youth and their peers. It also is designed to create a sense of "place" where students can feel a sense of ownership as well as experience positive relationships with well-trained staff and mentors as role models.

Click on the logos below for more information about each specific program.