GROW Healthy Kids' mission is to increase opportunities for youth to engage in physical activity and healthy living.
GROW does this by nurturing whole-child wellness: body, mind, and spirit. We empower vulnerable children with the tools to thrive, fostering positive, trusted relationships between children and adults. Through trauma-informed practices, movement-based experiences, and access to wellness resources, we prioritize prevention and education. Our approach builds resilience and equips children with strategies to manage stress in healthy, constructive ways. By creating opportunities for self-regulation, emotional growth, and a sense of belonging through fitness, GROW lays the foundation for lifelong wellness.
Our vision is to help develop the healthiest children by supporting grass roots wellness initiatives that foster positive relationships between youth and trusted adults in the community.
GROW Healthy Kids is driven by our core values: Collaboration, Health, Inclusion, Leadership, Devotion.
Distribute Shoes to Students in Need
This program provides quality athletic shoes to K-12 public school students identified with an immediate need for footwear. By partnering with school resource officers, teachers, coaches, and social workers, GROW Steps helps improve children's access to education, physical activity, and employment opportunities, boosting their self-esteem in the process.
Provide Recess Toys to Teachers
GROW Recess delivers versatile recess equipment to K-5 public school classrooms, encouraging independent, child-led active play. These portable and adaptable kits inspire creativity and movement, enhancing classroom focus, fostering cooperation among peers, and transforming various play zones into spaces for imaginative engagement.
Support Public School Run Clubs
Through GROW Run, we provide incentives and training materials for public elementary school-run clubs. These clubs create accessible opportunities for physical activity and offer students a chance to be part of a team. Run clubs promote physical and mental health, build self-confidence, and positively impact academic performance.
Help Inspire Positive Interactions Between Cops & Kids
This initiative equips first responders, law enforcement, school resource officers, and social workers with sports balls to foster meaningful connections with at-risk children through play. Utilizing a trauma-informed approach, these tools act as grounding devices for children in crisis and serve as a bridge to initiate healing. Resource bags also connect communities with vital health and public safety information.
Team GROW Healthy Kids
GROW is an official charity partner of the TCS
New York City Marathon.