Healthy Connections Initiative

The Healthy Connections Initiative works to support the emotional, mental, and physical health of children and families. Family Connections partners with local health institutions, universities, public health nurses, and educators to offer children and families free health programs in a range of languages.

Healthy Connections activities include:

Health Workshops:
Public health nurses and local experts offer workshops on mental health, illness prevention, dental hygiene, and communicable diseases. Family Connections’ staff help translate updated research and information, offer assistance in making and attending health appointments, and facilitate health screenings with nurses and dental hygienists in our early childhood programs.

Nutrition and Cooking Classes:
Hands-on cooking lessons for children and families to learn about nutritious meals and make healthy and affordable meals together. Children develop motor skills and learn to use knives and kitchen tools, while families cook fun recipes that they can repeat at home.

Exercise and Wellness Programs:
Our education and family support programs offer activities to help children and families integrate fitness into daily routines and improve their mental health. Activities include yoga, learning to bike ride, dance, fitness, meditation, and more.

Grocery Distributions:
Free produce and pantry items are distributed to 250 households each month to support families experiencing food insecurity.

Nature-based Programs:
Local garden instructors and environmental groups teach families about the life cycle of plants, composting, native species, growing herbs/vegetables, and how to care for our environment. Using our gardens and local parks, families get their hands messy with hands-on outdoor education.

The Healthy Connections program offers internship placements in partnership with local universities. These placements provide college students focused on health, nutrition, and wellness to gain hands-on training and experience in the community. Contact Tina, Education Director, to learn more about Family Connections’ Healthy Connections Internships.