Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation Education Employment Career Development

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation Education, Employment & Career Development Services (EECDS) In-School Youth (ISY) Program Service Learning Project Survey Results Linking Healthy Living to Literacy

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” I. Identified Community Issue and SLP Theme • After several brainstorming sessions with participants, including survey analysis, open conversation and general research, the group found it interesting that some if not all, have, or know someone who has health complications like diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure. The group was led into discussions and research regarding the severity of the diseases but was profoundly surprised that the easiest way to improve things like the blood pressure reading, sugar levels is to eat healthy. Through further research, the group found out that eating healthy today can begin the process of repairing immediately. • We began to increase our study of food consumption its effect on health and daily activities, school/ work performance and learning. Participants discussed the vagueness of the topic and with coaching from Mrs. Reina and Ms. Mc. Williams was encouraged to narrow the topic to a more specific thought. Discussions included questions like “how do we get our parents to buy more fruit or vegetables? , “attend diabetes prevention workshops”, how do we lay of the sugary dinks and fast food and the most common one amongst those who are intend on leaving home for college, how to stay healthy when we leave home for college? . As a result we have entitled our Winter SLP “Linking Healthy Living to Literacy”

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” II. Planned Educational and Awareness Activities Beginning the process was easy. Participants were provided tools to perform a web-based search on the issues expressed above. Using a number of sites, such as {St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center and the National Diabetes Clearinghouse) they research academic reports for the feeder high schools, health statistics for youth 16 -24 and adults 30+. Below lists a small portion of the stats gathered. As the project continues, participants will be guided into preparing their power point presentations. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS • 24% of adults report their health as “fair” or “poor”. • 44% of the population is sedentary. • 26% of the population is considered obese, more than Queens. • 9% have diabetes. • Juvenile diabetes rate is 9% • 10. 6% of Rockaway adults did not receive medical care in 2007 because of the cost. • 19% of the total population in the Rockaways are without a doctor. • 16. 4% of children in poverty are uninsured, while 35. 8% of adults in poverty do not have insurance.

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” II. Planned Educational and Awareness Activities Cont’d. EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC NEEDS • Over 50% on average fail standardized tests • 10% achievement gap between Rockaway schools and other CSD schools • Truancy and absence rates are higher than Queens and NYC • Dropout rates are 27% • Less than 40% graduated with their class • 65% of graduates report they have no postsecondary plans • 11 out of 15 schools are Corrective Action schools • Lowest number of certified teacher in Queens • 41% of the population do not have a high school diploma or GED • Births to single mothers is over 55% • 7% of the female population has less than a 9 th grade education

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” III. Implementation Activities • Having gathered the above data and more, participants are working with staff to develop their oral presentations. Going forward, 3 cohort groups will work on the following activities • Presentations at the feeder schools during scheduled PTA Meetings/Workshops • Develop visuals, IE. Poster board displays, Power. Point presentations and Newsletter articles • Develop the Surveys and Evaluations for distribution after community presentations have been completed. • All written data will be used to monitor the success of the information presented and to determine the populations served.

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” IV. Reflection

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” V. Celebration

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Participants were asked to complete a voluntary survey Survey Results were then compiled and sorted by three age groups Age 16 -29 Participants Age 55 -Older Age 30 -55

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Participants Gender Percentage ØMALE: 39% ØFEMALE: 61% Participants Gender Chart 39% 61% Male Female

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #1 How many times a week do you eat fast food? Ages 16 -29 1 time 13% 20% 1 time 13% 2 times 7% 9% Ages 55 and Older Ages 30 -54 3 times 4 times 5 or more times 9% 20% 13% 2 times 7% 51% 1 time 2 times 7% 51% 3 times 4 times 5 or more times 9% 20% 51% 3 times 4 times 5 or more times

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #2 Do you read nutrition labels on foods that you purchase? Ages 16 -29 Ages 30 -54 Ages 55 and Older 28% 28% 72% Yes Yes No No No 72%

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #3 How many unhealthy snacks do you eat per day? Ages 16 -29 8% 7% 18% 1 2 9% 55% 21% Ages 30 -54 3 4 5 or more Ages 55 and Older 1 2 7% 48% 8% 5 or more 7% 1 2 9% 3 4 19% 8% 55% 21% 3 4 5 or more

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #4 How many cans or bottles of soda do you consume per week? Ages 16 -29 8% 7% 1 2 9% 55% 21% Ages 30 -54 8% 5 or more 1 2 9% 3 4 7% 55% 21% Ages 55 and Older 8% 5 or more 1 2 9% 3 4 7% 55% 21% 3 4 5 or more

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #5 Are you aware of the health effects that are caused by eating unhealthy foods? Ages 16 -29 Ages 30 -54 28% Ages 55 and Older 28% 72% Yes No No 72% 28% Yes No 72%

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #6 Unhealthy food are high in? Ages 16 -29 Ages 30 -54 9% 10% fat 10% 9% fat sodium 23% 58% sugar protien Ages 55 and older 10% 9% fat sodium 23% 58% sugr protien sodium 23% 58% sugar protien

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #7 Healthy food are high in? Ages 16 -29 Ages 30 -54 11% Ages 55 and Older 11% vitamins 25% trans-fat 64% calcium

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #8 What are some examples of healthy snacks?

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT –“Linking Healthy Living to Literacy” Survey Question #9 How many glasses of water do you drink each day? Ages 16 -29 13% 1 7% 9% Ages 30 -54 2 51% 5 or more 1 2 9% 3 4 20% 8% 7% 55% 21% Ages 55 and Older 8% 5 or more 1 9% 3 4 7% 2 55% 21% 3 4 5 or more