News | For Immediate Release

HandsOn Inland Empire TeenConnect receives 'HEROES' grant to support youth leaders addressing childhood obesity

Youth Service America, UnitedHealth Group Support Youth-Led Service-Learning Projects in the Inland Empire to Combat Escalating Childhood Obesity Crisis

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA (April 9, 2009) – Rhea Stumm will receive a $500 UnitedHealth HEROES service-learning grant from Youth Service America (YSA) and UnitedHealth Group.

HEROES grants support youth-led projects that combat childhood obesity and encourage healthy lifestyles. Naming children and youth as ‘first responders’ to this national crisis, HEROES grants challenge youth to find solutions to a health issue that directly affects them.

HandsOn Inland Empire (HOIE) TeenConnect is a service-learning youth volunteer program that focuses on engaging high school students in service. Under the guidance of HOIEs AmeriCorps VISTA, a team of high school students will conduct four service learning projects over four months in 2009. These volunteers, ages 15 through 18, will dedicate four hours once a month over the four months, each at different agencies. The service learning projects will target youth obesity and healthy lifestyles in four low-income communities in Southern California, including Ontario, Fontana, Redlands, and Rancho Cucamonga. Each of the four projects will include service learning, a service project, and a reflection component. All four projects will take place on-site at nonprofits that serve low-income populations. The projects consist of the volunteers leading children in making healthy snacks, making a vegetable/herb garden, creating a fun and healthy environment at an elementary school, and making healthy cookbooks.

PROJECTS:
March 28, 2009 4 Your Health at Mercy House in Ontario, CA
April 25, 2009 4 Your Body at Boys and Girls Club in Fontana, CA (Global Youth Service Day)
May 23, 2009 4 Your Mind at Franklin Elementary in Redlands, CA
June 28, 2009 4 Yourself at HandsOn Inland Empire in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

“The response from applicants to the UnitedHealth HEROES program demonstrates that young people are ready to take control of their own lives and effect change in their communities,” said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Children and Youth are educating their peers and advocating for healthy life options. I am proud that this program supports and engages young people to solve the biggest health challenge they face growing up.”

“We believe that as people become more aware of health issues through health literacy and advocacy initiatives they will make positive changes to live better lives,” said Rick Jelinek, CEO of AmericChoice, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company. “We believe the UnitedHealth HEROES grants will empower teams of students to collaborate with teachers and community leaders to develop their own awareness programs that will make their schools and neighborhoods healthier. In reviewing the grant applications, we were inspired by the creative ideas our young people came up with to help fight obesity
and encourage healthier living.”

The HandsOn Inland Empire TeenConnect is one of 109 service-learning projects in 15 states supported by UnitedHealth HEROES grants. Coordinators will implement their HEROES projects during the spring semester culminating on YSA’s 21st Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 24-26, 2009. GYSD provides an excellent opportunity for students to include their projects in a larger, international youth service-movement that seeks to improve communities in all 50 states and in more than 100 countries.

For more information about the projects, visit www.HandsOnInlandEmpire.org.

The HandsOn Inland Empire initiative of Inland Empire United Way brings individuals, families, teams and corporate groups together to
strengthen communities through meaningful volunteer action within Western San Bernardino County and the Pomona Valley area of Los
Angeles County. Visit us on the web at www.HandsOnInlandEmpire.org.

Inland Empire United Way (IEUW) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with local community leaders, businesses,
government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to build a stronger community. By strategically investing in programs and initiatives such as Pathways, HandsOn Inland Empire, KidSmart, and 2-1-1 San Bernardino County, long-lasting and positive changes are made in the lives of children, families, and individuals. The IEUW service area covers regions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Visit us on the web at www.ieuw.org.

Youth Service America improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of children and youth, ages 5-25, serving in
substantive roles. Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more
than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.

UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work
better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.

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