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A Parent Shares Her Story of How Girls in the Game Changed Her Daughters Life

Let me begin by stating as a mother of a 17 year old young woman, how thrilled I am to hear about Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative. Thank you for taking time and making the health of our children a priority!
 
There are very few real initiatives available to address such issues.
 

Debbie Witter, pictured right

The only real initiative we have found is Girls In the Game.  A 15 year old organization that is designed to support "Sports, Health, Leadership & Life", the "whole" girl.  My daughter, Nichole and I have been involved with this organization since 2000.  They have continued to improve their outreach to young girls across our wonderful city of Chicago.  They are a model organization for Mrs. Obama's Obesity Prevention Initiative.
 
How do they do this?  The Staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Board Members, Sponsors, children and parents work together.  Their mission is always clear, their priority is always present, their dedication to their founding principles are here to stay! 
 
My daughter began when she was 8 years old as a summer camper with Girls in the Game.  This week at 17-1/2 she is interviewing for a Senior Summer Camp Counselor. 
 
How does this progression happen?  I know first hand ... they have offer many opportunities in the community that allowed the girls access to know healthy lifestyles, women empowerment through career days, attend seminars to learn how to affect the emotional well-being of themselves and others, healthy cooking/eating classes, and learn every possible sport under the sun!  This has been accomplished by making each event fun.  After this many years it's like osmosis, it's just who they are and they ar excited to share it with others.
 

Nichole, age 10, pictured left

Just this month my daughter has been an election judge through the Mikva Challenge, retook her ACT's and improved her score by 6 points, as a member of her school's National Honor Society chaired a fundraiser for the Haiti children, interviewed for possible summer employment with Girls in the Game for a senior counselor position, plays on her high school's Varsity Soccer team, increased her GPA from a 3.52 to a 3.64 while taking AP and Honor classes, attended and spoke at Girls in the Game's 15th Anniversary celebration, and has been accepted to four universites in the Fall, majoring in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine.  This is no accident, I myself could not have instilled the level of confidence and ability my daughter has attained without a program like Girls in the Game. 
 

Nichole, age 17, pictured left

It is very important to teach the children that healthy eating and having fun while being activity is a life style, not a discipline.  Learning that organic and/or healthy sources of sweetners, whole grains, natural foods, etc. tastes good, feels good and looks good! 
 
One major way to effectively combat obesity is to address the envionments where our children spend most of their time eating, school & home!  This seems like such a natural arena, it's all about education!  Home Economics and Physical Education has been removed in many environments due to budget cuts.  As a society we have created the "perfect storm" for obesity to occur.  Children are like sponges, they absorb what is in their everyday life.  When we provide children access and education they become empowered, educated and confident.  A well-adjusted child at home becomes a well-adjusted member of society.  This is "healthcare reform" at its finest!
 
I sincerely will continue to look for opportunities to assist Chicago and the State of Illinois in furthering this initiative.
 
Regards,
Deborah Witter

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