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about usTHE CITY OF RACINE HEALTH DEPARTMENT INTRODUCES NEW “RACINE ON THE MOVE” INITIATIVE FOR QUALIFYING RESIDENTS
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New Effort Provides Steeply-Subsidized Weight Watchers Meetings,
FREE YMCA Memberships and Parks & Recreation Programs to Support
Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Families in Racine
A portion of up to $1 million in total retail value of Weight Watchers meetings
and a $25,000 grant comes to Racine
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(December 2, 2013) The City of Racine Health Department and Weight Watchers International, Inc. today officially announced the start of the Weight Watchers and U.S. Conference of Mayors Healthy Communities Grant Program in Racine called “Racine on the Move”. The initiative enables local residents ages 18 and older who meet health qualifiers (Body Mass Index of 25 and above) and who receive assistance from a local, state or federally subsidized program (WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.) to attend Weight Watchers meetings that are steeply subsidized by Weight Watchers as part of the grant. Qualifying participants will also have free access to Weight Watchers online and mobile tools. This new effort aims to help curb obesity rates and foster healthy lifestyles in Racine, especially in lower-income areas that have higher obesity rates as well as increased risks for obesity.
In addition, the unique partnership between the City of Racine Health Department, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and the Racine Family YMCA will provide participants with a free three month membership to the Racine Family YMCA and access to programs offered at the City of Racine Community Centers. The Racine Family YMCA has considerably reduced its membership fees for program participants and grant funding will pay the remaining cost of the memberships. As a result, YMCA memberships will be offered free to participants.
Over 20 percent of Racine residents live below the poverty level, almost 25 percent of adults in Racine are obese, and over 40 percent of Racine residents are overweight. This initiative is designed to help people who meet both income-level and body mass index criteria with Weight Watchers memberships that are steeply subsidized by the company as part of the Healthy Communities Grant. Its goal is to give Racine residents knowledge and tools to reach a healthier weight so that they can prevent the onset of diseases and illnesses associated with obesity, and by example, teach their children healthy behaviors.
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“It’s exciting to offer a low-cost option to assist people in our community to become healthy and fit,” said City of Racine Mayor John Dickert. “With the generous support of Weight Watchers, we’re able to significantly expand our healthy living community-based services, and make a real dent in our fight to reverse adult obesity trends in our city and the rising costs from the chronic health problems that stem from obesity.”
This new offering stems from an initiative of Weight Watchers and the United States Conference of Mayors, which launched in January 2013. Eligible cities across the U.S. were encouraged to submit applications for the grants detailing how this initiative would add to their city’s existing healthy lifestyle programming. In June, Racine was one of three cities selected as a grant recipient for its commitment to healthy living, increasing physical activity, and promoting weight loss and weight management. As one of the three Healthy Communities Grant Program recipients, Racine received the grant to build upon its already successful efforts. The total retail value of all Weight Watchers memberships subsidized through the Healthy Communities Grant Program is up to $1 million across the three winning cities. Racine also received a $25,000 grant from Weight Watchers to administer the new program and build capacity for its success.
“Racine’s commitment to supporting healthy living is inspiring,” said Caroline Behnke, District Manager for Weight Watchers. “Racine residents have a real opportunity with the Weight Watchers proven approach to change their lifestyle behaviors and in turn model healthy behaviors to their children. We’re excited, because through the Healthy Communities
Grant Program, we’re able to offer steeply subsidized weight loss and weight management services to individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford our program”
In 2014, the City of Racine will aim to enroll 450 Racine residents through the end of the year to participate in the Weight Watchers program for three month intervals. The program will cost each participant $3 per week, but no one will be turned away for an inability to pay, because scholarships are available through the grant received by the City of Racine. The participants will also receive a free three month membership to the Racine Family YMCA.
The Weight Watchers weekly meetings, led by leaders who have successfully lost weight by following the program, will take place at the Racine Family YMCA Lakefront Branch (725 Lake Avenue), where child care and parking will also be available at no cost to the participants. Participants can also attend meetings at the Weight Watchers Racine store (2310 S. Green Bay Road), and Saint Monica’s Senior Citizen Home (3920 N. Green Bay Road).
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Racine residents can find out whether they qualify and sign up for Weight Watchers on the following dates. For more information about qualifying, please contact Rosalyn Smith at 262-636-9505.
| Registration Date | Registration Time | Registration Location | | Tuesday, December 10, 2013 | 10am to 12 noon | | Racine Family YMCA (Lakefront Branch) | |
725 Lake Avenue, Racine Main Entrance |
| | Wednesday, December 11, 2013 | 4pm to 6pm | | Racine Family YMCA (Lakefront Branch) | |
725 Lake Avenue, Racine Main Entrance |
| | Saturday, December 14, 2013 | 11am to 1pm | | Racine Family YMCA (Lakefront Branch) | |
725 Lake Avenue, Racine Main Entrance |
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Weight Watchers meeting times and locations for “Racine on the Move” qualifying participants are as follows:
| Meeting Day | Meeting Time | Meeting Location | | Wednesdays, starting
January 8, 2014 | 5:30pm | | Racine Family YMCA (Lakefront Branch) | |
725 Lake Avenue, Racine, Buehler Room |
| | Thursdays, starting
January 9, 2014 | 12 noon | | Racine Family YMCA (Lakefront Branch) | |
725 Lake Avenue, Racine, Buehler Room |
| | Every day of the week, including weekends | Call 1-800-516-3535 for meeting days and times. | Weight Watchers Racine Store
2310 S. Green Bay Road, Suite M | | Tuesdays, starting
January 7, 2014 | 5:30 pm | | Saint Monica’s Senior Citizen Home | |
3920 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, Lower Level Activity Room |
| | Saturdays, starting
January 4, 2014 | 8am | | Saint Monica’s Senior Citizen Home | |
3920 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, Lower Level Activity Room |
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About Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds more than 40,000 meetings each week where members receive group support and learn about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.
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