December 2016 - In This Issue:
WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Since its creation in 1994, The Rapides Foundation has sought to improve the health status of Central Louisiana by developing initiatives and strategies intended to impact our community for decades to come.  We invite you to learn more about our work by visiting our website.

The Rapides Foundation focuses its work in three strategic areas:

Healthy People, to improve access to healthcare and promote healthy behaviors.

Education, to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement as the primary path to improved economic, social and health status.

Healthy Communities, to improve economic opportunity and family income, and enhance civic and community opportunities for more effective leaders and organizations.

Contact Us

The Rapides Foundation
1101 Fourth Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
318-443-3394 or 800-994-3394

Visit our website:

THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES YOU TO "HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY"
Find recipes, videos and more 
The Rapides Foundation is encouraging everyone to "Have a Healthy Holiday" with healthier holiday recipes and preparation videos, simple exercise videos, and tips to keep you on track with your health goals during the busy holiday season.

Let rapidesfoundation.org be your healthy holiday resource this busy holiday season. It's all there to help you and your family Eat smart, Cook right, and Get moving!  
 
 Visit our "Have a Healthy Holiday!" web page to download the recipes, see recipe preparation videos, and exercise videos.
STUDENT LEADERS DESIGN AND PLAN YOUTH SUMMIT ON HEALTHY BEHAVIORS
Over 500 students, teachers attend sixth-annual event
A record number of Central Louisiana middle/junior and high school students traveled to Alexandria in October to participate in a one-day summit to learn how to become advocates for healthy choices and policy changes in their schools and communities.  

But long before The Rapides Foundation's annual Youth Summit on Healthy Behaviors ever happened, a core group of student leaders spent months planning and organizing the event. These students are members of the Foundation's Youth Advisory Council, a group of young leaders chosen to serve as youth advocates for healthy behaviors.

SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDS ACTIVITIES IN 108 K-12 SCHOOLS
Students participate in evidence-based projects that address healthy behaviors.
Each year, The Rapides Foundation invites Central Louisiana school districts to apply for Healthy Behaviors School District Partnership Grants. This grant is used by schools to fund activities that positively impact students, educators and staff in the areas of tobacco prevention and control, substance and alcohol abuse prevention, physical activity and nutrition. 
 
During the 2016-17 school year, 108 K-12 schools in seven parishes are participating in the grant, allowing students in those schools to participate in evidence-based projects that address each of the health behaviors supported by the grant.

CLOSE OUT THE YEAR WITH OUR DECEMBER CHALLENGE CALENDAR
Fitness Focus: The 12 Days of "Fit-mas!"
2016 December calendar
Join The Rapides Foundation Get Healthy Cenla Challenge, a daily challenge designed to encourage people to improve their nutrition and physical activity. 
 
The Fitness Focus for the December Challenge Calendar is "The 12 Days of Fit-mas!" This challenge will start with the exercise for the 1st day of Fit-mas, then, on the 2nd day, you'll do the exercise for that day plus the exercise for the 1st day, and so on...just like the song!

Joe Rosier

Mission
The mission of The Rapides Foundation is to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. 

Vision
Our vision is to positively impact Central Louisiana by deploying resources to improve key factors of health status.