Texas Health Resources is the only health system in the country to receive a federal grant to promote youth sports through the Salvation Army Pleasant Grove Corps. The $800,000 grant is from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for the federal Youth Engagement in Sports (YES) initiative.
“Texas Health has enhanced its engagement with the communities we are blessed to serve by intentionally partnering with community-based organizations, corporations and funders,” said David Tesmer, Texas Health chief community and public policy officer via release. “We are serving as a catalyst for meeting local needs.”
The program is funded through August 2021, and will work to improve access to physical activity and nutrition for high need Pleasant Grove students in sixth through eighth grade. It will target Hispanic and black students, and will focus on girls participation in sports as well. Along with athletic activities, the program will introduce students to careers associated with sports such as sports medicine, athletic training, nutrition, physical therapy, and more.
The grant is one of 12 administered by the HHS’ Office on Women’s Health. The Texas Health Sports Medicine and Texas Health’s Community Health Improvement program will work with the Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command, Texas Health Sports Medicine, Texas Woman’s University, North Texas Food Bank and A+ Charter Schools to implement the YES Dallas Initiative in Pleasant Grove.
“This is a great example of a collaborative effort aimed at improving the health of the community,” said Tom Caldwell, vice president, Texas Health Sports Medicine via release. “Sparking an interest and outlining a pathway will hopefully contribute to the recruitment of much needed diversity to these fields, which will ultimately have an impact on health disparities.”
