Artwork

the STaRFISH KiDS

Starfish helper Robert, 19, recently visited New Orleans to help rebuild homes for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Below, read his T.O.P. (Thoughts On Paper) about his trip.

My thoughts of New Orleans

The city that never sleeps

A town of enjoyment

So it's hard to be cheap

A city that was one traumatized

And almost lost everything it owned

But over the years

You can see how much love has grown

In the one week I was there

I treasured it day by day

It made me look at the world

In a whole different way

I saw some creative discoveries

I never saw before

A community of devastation

Which water once tore

Katrina was the one disaster

You leave in the past

To rebuild all your strength

To move on at last

FiTNESS FoCUS

It is estimated that 30 percent of U.S. youth (up to age 20) are overweight. Also, due to high food prices, limited availability, and unhealthy eating habits, consumption of fruits and vegetables is significantly lower in low-income and urban communities. In addition to obesity in youth, cases of juvenile diabetes have skyrocketed in recent years.

To support the Starfish Fitness Initiative, we held our first-ever Jump-A-Thon, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Fourteen students participated, raising nearly $3,400.

JUMP-A-THON 2009!!!

Danyel, age 10 Dorell, age 14 Temple, age 7

Other fitness activities ...

We at Starfish had to take a stand by employing a ban ... on junk food! Instead, we provide students with fresh fruit, veggies, yogurts and low-fat nutrition bars after school. Our goal is to encourage youth to make healthy food choices at home and in school. Plus, we offer students physical fitness options, including access to a treadmill, weights, and jump ropes, as well as a dance class.

Join us in taking a stand for the health and fitness of our youth. Support Starfish's Fitness Initiative with your donation or call 773-465-4608 to find out how else you can help.