Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

Denver, CO - March 29, 2024 - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is proud to announce its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles among its members through various innovative programs, including cooking classes and nutrition education initiatives.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has dedicated itself to providing Club kids and teens with hands-on nutrition education opportunities. This initiative aims to address the hurdles encountered by low-income households, who often have restricted access to healthy foods and nutrition education. Last year, we provided Club families with over 450 healthy food boxes and 40,000 lbs. of nutritious food. We also served 330,000 balanced meals and snacks to Club members. These programs empower young individuals to make informed choices about their health, setting the stage for a lifetime of positive behaviors.

Community partnerships with external program providers, such as Sticky Fingers Cooking, Slow Food, and DEN Afterschool Coaching, enhance the organizations’ offerings. These partnerships guarantee high-quality cooking classes that enrich the experiences of Club members and deepen their understanding of food nutrition.

"Our Healthy Lifestyles team is passionate about transforming food education to be fun and empowering," says Rebecca Duran, Director of Healthy Lifestyles at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. "We see our cooking classes as a gateway to a healthier lifestyle and help our youth to build the foundation for a lifetime of positive behaviors – one flavor at a time!"

Through diversified experiences in nutrition, including hands-on cooking classes, field trips showcasing healthy lifestyle careers, evidence-based nutrition education, and even gardening, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver ensures that every Club member has the tools to make healthy choices and cultivate lifelong habits. Healthy Lifestyles programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for a healthier, more empowered future for its members and the community as a whole.

The statistics from the 2022-2023 program year underscore the effectiveness of the Healthy Lifestyles initiatives, with 90% of participants reporting that they learned something new during these programs, and 96% expressing a desire to participate again*. The year ahead promises various press opportunities through outdoor education programs and cooking and nutrition classes.

* 2022 – 2023 NYOI Club Member Data from the 2022 – 2023 program year