AKWESASNE -- The Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club has received funding for a new diabetes prevention program.

The funding is to help create a program aimed at reducing the onset of diabetes among Native American youth. The program -- On the T.R.A.I.L. (Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life) to Diabetes Prevention -- is an innovative combination of physical, educational and nutritional activities that promote healthy lives.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Nike, Inc. have partnered to help create the 12-week program, which provides youth with a thorough understanding of healthy lifestyles aimed at helping to prevent diabetes.

The Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club is one of the 40 grant recipients to participate in this initiative. Funding for this project has been provided by Indian Health Service. Members draw from Tribal traditions and history to learn about nutrition, food choices and the impact of diabetes. They then apply decision-making and goal-setting skills in the Physical Activity Challenge and engage in service projects to improve healthy lifestyles in their communities. Woven throughout the program are self-esteem and prevention activities; community and family involvement is encouraged.

“We are so pleased to be able to provide this valuable learning opportunity to the children that we serve here at the club” said club Executive Director Jessica Cree Jock. “To be able to give our children the tools to make healthy choices for their future is what we strive to do every day.”

Jock said that Sports, Fitness and Recreation Coordinator Steevi King will be implementing the program.

To find out more, contact King at (518) 358-9911.