Interprofessional group receives grant for youth programming

James Madison University was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Arconic Foundation to provide weekly physical activity programming and a summer day camp for youth from underserved populations. 

Stephanie Meadows and her team from Kawneer, an Arconic Company in Harrisonburg, VA. presented a check from the Arconic Foundation to Jeanne Wenos (Health Professions), Director of Research for Empowerment3, and Maureen Pfahler (Kinesiology), Acting Executive Director of Empowerment3/Overcoming Barriers, who was accepting on behalf of Tom Moran, Founder of Empowerment3 & Overcoming Barriers who is currently serving as Deputy Administrator for Regional Operations and Partnership Development within the Administration for Community Living under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC. 

The grant process was supported by Lauralin Welch from the Office of Sponsored Programs and academic unit heads Janet Wigglesworth (Kinesiology) and Kirk Armstrong (Health Professions). 

Funding will provide opportunities for youth from underserved populations by pairing youth who are at risk with youth with disabilities who will be co-mentored by JMU students.  Throughout the program participants will demonstrate movement skills, assess personal fitness levels, gain a sense of belonging, and an appreciation for STEM concepts that underlie the control of human movement.  Most importantly, the program will facilitate the development of friendships and empower underserved youth to reach high, give back and overcome barriers!