HealthMPowers

HealthMPowers HealthMPowers champions healthy habits and transforms the environments where children live, learn and play. www.healthmpowers.org

HealthMPowers is a nonprofit organization based in Georgia that champions healthy habits and transforms the environments where children live, learn, and play. Through physical activity and nutrition programs in schools, early care and education sites, out-of-school time sites, and community organizations, we address the root causes of many preventable chronic diseases which stem from poor nutritio

n and lack of physical activity. By partnering with families and schools in under-resourced communities, we promote widespread, equitable access to the tools that secure healthy futures for young people. Our programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each population, with the goal of inspiring positive habits throughout the child’s lifetime. Ultimately, we aspire to build a future where all children are nourished and active.

We know school is out but we had so many awesome end-of-year stories that we have to share! At Spring Place Elementary, ...
06/03/2026

We know school is out but we had so many awesome end-of-year stories that we have to share!

At Spring Place Elementary, students led the way with healthy habits right into the summer break. Their Student Health Advocates created the Tigers Recess Obstacle Course (T-R.O.C.)—a vibrant, outdoor space designed to transform recess into an experience that builds movement, learning, and connection all at once.

Using paint and chalk, students designed a course filled with:
✅ Letter jumps & phonics paths
✅ Number lines & skip-counting ladders
✅ Shape recognition & mazes
✅ Balance lines, hopping paths, and action stations
✅ Fun, themed drawings and classic games like hopscotch

This purposeful play:
💡 Supports cognitive and emotional development
🤝 Builds social skills and reduces conflict on the playground
🏃‍♀️ Increases physical activity and overall well-being
🛝 Creates a safer, more structured recess environment

We know that kids learn best when they can move, explore, and connect. Sensory paths like the T-R.O.C. tap into how children’s brains are wired—bringing learning to life through movement and play. Huge shoutout to these student leaders for reimagining recess and creating a more positive, inclusive school environment for everyone!

It's not always a bad thing to play with your food! Here's a great idea to kick off the summer with a fun and healthy ap...
05/29/2026

It's not always a bad thing to play with your food! Here's a great idea to kick off the summer with a fun and healthy approach to snack time: Try a “Paint Your Plate” edible art activity.

When kids get to design their own food, they’re much more excited to eat it—and they’re learning along the way.

👩‍🍳 Set the scene with a base like Greek yogurt, whole-wheat toast, or a mini tortilla
🎨 Add your “paints”—set out bowls of colorful fruits, seeds, and thinly sliced vegetables
✨ Then let creativity take over!

Challenge your little chef to create:
🖼️ A self-portrait
🌳 A landscape
👾 A funny monster

This is more than snack time—it’s hands-on learning, creativity, and healthy habits all in one. What masterpiece will your little chef create today? Post your photos and ideas!

Update on SUN Bucks: Funding Cut from State Budget in Final HoursHealthMPowers has been working with Share Our Strength ...
05/27/2026

Update on SUN Bucks: Funding Cut from State Budget in Final Hours

HealthMPowers has been working with Share Our Strength and No Kid Hungry to raise awareness about Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)—a practical, proven solution that helps ensure students continue to have access to nutritious food when school is out. We ALMOST got funding secured but it was cut in the final hours of the state budget process. But we're not giving up hope!

Through this collaboration, we educate and engage youth health leaders across Georgia on the realities of food access and creative ways to expand access to healthy, nutritious foods. Our youth health leaders engaged their peers, decisionmakers and even raised their voices on the editorial pages of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Houston County Times. However, despite that momentum, funding for the program was ultimately cut at the last minute.

While that outcome is disappointing, we remain hopeful—and committed. Up next, we welcome No Kid Hungry to our annual Youth Summit to work with our youth health leaders on the power of storytelling and communication.

We recently welcomed educators from across our network to the HealthMPowers office for a GEM (Girls Empowering Movement)...
05/20/2026

We recently welcomed educators from across our network to the HealthMPowers office for a GEM (Girls Empowering Movement) training—and it truly filled the room with energy, creativity, and purpose. 💜

From sharing ideas to strengthening strategies for student-led wellness, this group showed just how powerful it is when educators come together with a shared commitment to supporting girls’ leadership and health.

One of the biggest ah-ha moments from the day?
GEM projects are not only transforming student wellness—they’re increasingly impacting the wellbeing of teachers and school staff, too. 🙌 In several schools, students are intentionally designing GEM initiatives that lift up and support their educators—from promoting positive school climate to creating moments of care and connection for teachers.

✨ What if youth weren’t just part of the conversation—but leading it?Over the past year, HealthMPowers has been reimagin...
05/17/2026

✨ What if youth weren’t just part of the conversation—but leading it?

Over the past year, HealthMPowers has been reimagining what it means to support girls’ health and leadership as part of our GEM program. And thanks to support from the Health Initiative, we had the opportunity to be with other community health organizations to collaborate and plan. And one thing became clear: GEM isn’t just a program anymore. It’s a movement. We're:

💡 Shifting power to girls as leaders and changemakers
🤝 Building authentic partnerships where youth co-create—not just participate
🌱 Laying the groundwork for long-term systems change in health and equity
We’ve seen girls:
✔️ Lead advocacy efforts in their schools
✔️ Shape programs and tell their stories publicly
✔️ Inspire partners to rethink how they engage youth

Our next chapter is about building the Girls Empowering Movement ecosystem—bringing together youth, partners, and investors to scale this work in a way that is sustainable, collaborative, and deeply rooted in community.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚At HealthMPowers, we believe “nourished and active” means caring for the whole chi...
05/12/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

At HealthMPowers, we believe “nourished and active” means caring for the whole child—mind AND body 🧠💪

That’s why we’re intentionally weaving mental wellness into everything we do:
✨ Brain breaks that get kids moving, laughing, and refocused
🧘 Breathing, stretching, and mindfulness built into the school day
🏃‍♀️ Teaching that movement isn’t just exercise—it’s an effective and healthy way to cope when life feels heavy

Because sometimes, the best thing we can do is can do is move, breathe, and reconnect. Together, we’re building healthier habits for life—physically AND emotionally 💚

👉 Explore our resources + learn more: https://healthmpowers.org + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxI9ZVyX26o&list=PLGQl_nxdns-nJT3m23XzB2o0KAR_vsVt6&index=2 + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Iqh0VrjtU&list=PLGQl_nxdns-nJT3m23XzB2o0KAR_vsVt6&index=3

Straight from the ground to their hands…Woodland Middle School’s Garden Student Health Advocates visited Atlanta Harvest...
05/06/2026

Straight from the ground to their hands…

Woodland Middle School’s Garden Student Health Advocates visited Atlanta Harvest—and got a firsthand look at how food is grown at scale.

They asked thoughtful questions, connected their school garden learning to real-world farming, and explored the importance of soil health and sustainability.
But the highlight? Fresh strawberries, mustard greens, and spearmint—picked and tasted on the spot.

This is what learning looks like when it comes to life.

👉 What’s a hands-on learning experience that made a lasting impact on you?
Big thanks to Atlanta Harvest and Farmer Eliyahu for making this day so meaningful.

Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation!We’re proud to share a powerful op-ed published in the Houston Home Journal, co-au...
04/29/2026

Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation!

We’re proud to share a powerful op-ed published in the Houston Home Journal, co-authored by one of our incredible HealthMPowers Youth Advisory Board members alongside our CEO. Together, they shine a light on a critical issue: ensuring Georgia’s kids have access to nutritious meals during the summer through Summer EBT.

As we remain hopeful this vital investment receives the Governor’s support, an even bigger story is unfolding—✨ the power of youth voice. The true GEM of this effort is watching young leaders build skills, engage with complex policy systems, and educate their peers and communities. From school gardens to the State Capitol to the opinion pages, these youth are leading with courage, clarity, and purpose—turning lived experience into real action.

When youth are the architects of their own growth, the impact is transformational. Nourished, active kids are the goal—but empowered youth are the lasting legacy. 💛
🔗 Read the full op-ed: https://hhjonline.com/for-georgias-youth-hunger-doesnt-take-summer-off/

What a fun and inspiring day celebrating the incredible work of Student Health Advocates (SHAs) at Stone Mill Elementary...
04/28/2026

What a fun and inspiring day celebrating the incredible work of Student Health Advocates (SHAs) at Stone Mill Elementary! This year, students took the lead on a sustainability project focused on movement and play—adding new physical activity signs along the playground and field fence.

Working alongside another 5th grade class, the SHAs installed the signs and then proudly invited classes from across the school to come outside and try them out. The energy, leadership, and joy were contagious! 🙌🏽🏃🏽‍♀️

After a full morning of hands-on learning, the SHAs spent another 45 minutes digging into an important question: How do we make sure this project lasts? Their ideas around care, ownership, and sustainability were thoughtful and powerful—and they were so proud to show off what they had accomplished.

And to top it all off… 🚚🥫

HMP staffer Heather arrived with a truck full of food pantry donations, and the SHAs jumped right in to help unload and stock items for the school pantry through our ongoing partnership with Hands Ending Hunger INC. and .

Student leadership. Movement and play. Food security. Partnerships.
This is what it looks like when young people lead with purpose. 💚

🚨 Funding Opportunity for Our Georgia Partners! 🚨Looking to scale your impact beyond programs and drive lasting change i...
04/24/2026

🚨 Funding Opportunity for Our Georgia Partners! 🚨

Looking to scale your impact beyond programs and drive lasting change in your community? The Georgia State Physical Activity and Nutrition (G‑SPAN) Funding Opportunity is open—and it’s designed to support policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change that makes healthy eating and physical activity easier for all Georgians.

This opportunity can support new or expanded PSE strategies across:
✅ Physical Activity
✅ Nutrition
✅ Early Care & Education
✅ Breastfeeding

Whether you’re ready to strengthen an existing policy, improve systems across your organization or community, or implement environmental changes that create healthier defaults—this is a chance to take your work to the next level. Funding is available for local, regional, and statewide partners working to advance sustainable, equity-centered change.

🗓 Applications are due May 1, 2026
🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.g-span.org/georgia-state-physical-activity-and-nutrition-funding-opportunity/ [g-span.org]

Let’s build healthier systems together across Georgia. 💚

Address

3000 Northwoods Parkway, Suite 240
Norcross, GA
30071

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+17708171733

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