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In Toledo, Ohio, the median income is roughly $37,000.
Currently, seven percent of children who attend
Toledo Public Schools
are homeless and the city is
among the highest in the state for obese adults. It is
incumbent upon all of us to combat and invest in the
challenges that are negatively impacting so many across
Ohio.
How do we take
steps forward to make a meaningful change for our youth and
those that live in our communities? It starts with community
collaboration and bold visions and it’s these simple
concepts that You Will Do Better in Toledo is built
upon.
In partnership with
Green
Bronx Machine,
Anthem Inc.
awarded 29 Toledo Public Schools with 40
indoor, aeroponic tower gardens that allowed students to
grow their own food and gain an appreciation for adding
vegetables to their diet. Not only did the students benefit
from their hard work, so did their classmates, their
families and their community as a whole.
The hands-on
activities incorporated elements of math, science, and
English in a fresh and engaging way. The program aims to set
students on a path to incorporating healthier food and
behaviors into their lives and in doing so, paving the way
for thriving communities that are health conscious.
We continue to
build the future of our youth through collaborative efforts
with Anthem and other community partners that seek
quantifiable results. Through the Anthem Toledo Public
Schools Family Stabilization Program, operated by
Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, we
have assisted more than 100 residents with rental
assistance, housing stabilization and financial support
services. This program demonstrates the importance of
leaning on others in times of uncertainty. The positive
outcomes to this initiative shows our commitment to doing
what’s best for our students who otherwise might lose their
access to a quality education or support structure as the
result of unstable housing.
The challenges that our community faces, were recently
highlighted in Generation Growth, an award winning
documentary that takes viewers on a journey across the
country and addresses the social determinants that impact
healthy lifestyles in cities like Toledo. A sense of hope
emerges through stories that show the positive impact of
communities rallying around those who need it most by
cultivating minds and focusing on the future.
MLK
Jr. Academy for Boys and
Marshall STEMM
Academy are featured in the documentary and
their work shows the school
district’s revitalization efforts and making the connection
between a strong public school system and the community.
Generation Growth
was selected for the
Heartland International Film Festival in
Indianapolis and the critically acclaimed
Hot
Springs Documentary Film Festival. The
documentary has also been submitted for consideration to the
Athens International Film and Video Festival and
the
Cleveland International Film Festival taking
place in April, 2021. For more information on Generation
Growth and to view the documentary film trailer, please
visit
http://www.generationgrowthdoc.com.
You Will Do Better in Toledo
is a shining example of what can happen when we come
together for the greater good and create avenues for
meaningful and impactful change. The ongoing commitment to
addressing the social determinants of health, including
homelessness and food insecurity, drives us to innovate and
develop community relationships that expand access to
resources for everyone living in the neighborhoods
surrounding our schools. Our continued success and drive to
excel is another reason we can all be TPS Proud!
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