UIC Students Run Health & Wellness Program For Altus Students

Students learn to make healthy choices in the foods they eat and engage in fun activities that promote healthy living behaviors.

The University of Illinois in Chicago Children’s Health and Wellness Academy (HWA) is a youth program that empowers kids with the knowledge to make healthy choices that affect them in all areas of their lives. HWA has partnered with Altus Academy for the past 6 years where programming runs twice weekly for grades 1-8.

“We provide both a nutrition portion where kids make and eat nutritious and delicious foods and a physical activity portion where kids engage in fun activities that promote healthy living behaviors,” said Lindsey Strieter, the director of the program.

Students in the College of Applied Health Sciences participate as mentors and facilitators in the Health and Wellness Academy by registering for the elective course. HWA has had over 200 UIC students participate in the program for the past 6 years.

“Every semester the program grows, which is a testament to the successful partnership between UIC and Altus Academy,” said Strieter.

This year, with the help of individual donors, HWA and Altus Academy have partnered to help renovate the school’s cafeteria, where most of the programming takes place. Strieter hopes to raise more funds to remodel the kitchen, and purchase new appliances and food storage units, which are necessary to make even better nutritious meals for the kids. She would also love to host family cooking nights where everyone could make and eat a nutritious meal together.

“Cooking and eating delicious nutritious foods help keep the mind and body healthy and HWA loves to be a part of making that happen for all Altus families!”

If you are interested in supporting the UIC-Altus Academy Health and Wellness Program, please get in contact with the school principal, Alfredo Villegas.