SOSMentor's mission is to educate and empower underserved Los Angeles youth to make healthy eating choices, live an active lifestyle, and become health advocates in their communities. “Healthy eating and physical activity not only improved my life, it could’ve very well saved it,” says Nia McClinton, a 10th grader at Carson Academy of Education and Empowerment. For over 8 years, SOSMentor’s programs have stood on the front line in the fight against childhood obesity. Almost 42% of young people in Los Angeles are overweight or obese. Students usually do not receive nutrition education in school and time allocated to physical activity has been severely cut. Many youth are underinsured and do not have access to nutritionists or other health professionals who could provide education and motivate them to make healthy lifestyle choices. Fast food outlets are prevalent in many communities, and hardworking parents find them an easy solution to feeding their families. In addition, many neighborhoods do not have safe places for children to exercise. We've documented that our programs succeed in teaching youth to eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid soda and junk food, and eat breakfast. They also provide an opportunity for learning to exercise without a gym. Over the course of the program, students assert that they feel better both physically and mentally—changes that help them stick to their new habits over time. It’s not enough just to provide education, however. SOSMentor goes one step further in encouraging students to share their new knowledge with their families and greater community, creating a healthy ripple effect. SOSMentor is able to have such a wide scope because it builds partnerships with key players in the Los Angeles Unified School District and individual schools, such as administrators, coaches, physical education teachers, nurses, art teachers, and after-school programs.
