Seth applied for scholarship funds to help shift his daughter’s focus from her mobile phone to getting active. Emma was so addicted and was spending so much time on her phone that her growth was stunted.
Seth enrolled her in basketball, where she enjoyed being part of a team, made new friends, and found positive role models in her coaches. Emma spent several hours a week at practice and playing in games, significantly reducing the amount of time that she was on her phone. Now, Emma has developed a love of the game and can’t wait to play next season.
challenges
Even though much of Weld County has the financial means to succeed, some of our neighbors are facing more challenging circumstances. While only 8% of residents live below the poverty line, in east Greeley and Evans, that rate jumps to over 20%, with one in three children in a household challenged by poverty. Plus, over half of Weld County residents are housing cost burdened, meaning they pay too much of their annual income on rent or mortgage and utilities and are likely forgoing other necessities like food, health care, saving for an emergency or the future, and more.
While physical activity is a necessity for physical and mental health, recreation activities are one of the first expenses to be cut by families that are finding it difficult to make ends meet. When youth participate in physical activity they experience better physical and mental health outcomes. When they are part of recreation programs, young people have:
- better fitting body weight
- decreasing rates of depression
- declining stress and psychological distress
- increasing positive self-image
- growing life satisfaction
Children and youth exercising can lead to decreased depression and anxiety. 30 minutes of exercise three or more times per week improves physical health and overall mood.
Investments
Weld County Recreation Scholarships distributes funding to local recreation centers and programs county-wide to resource young people who otherwise could not afford to participate in child and youth development, recreational, and sport activities. An every-year process, the money is used to scholarship nearly 1,000 young people that otherwise would not participate in activities that encourage healthy lifestyles, teach life skills, and improve mental health.
Up to 15 Weld County towns and recreation departments can be involved, including:
- Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District
- City of Evans Recreation Department
- City of Fort Lupton Recreation
- City of Greeley Culture, Parks and Recreation
- Eaton Area Park and Recreation District
- Highland Recreation Association
- LaSalle Recreation
- Rebels Youth Athletics
- Thompson Rivers Parks & Recreation District
- Town of Erie
- Town of Kersey Recreation
- Town of Mead Recreation
- Town of Platteville Recreation
- Town of Windsor Parks, Culture and Recreation (for Windsor and Severance)
“Thankfully, the United Way funds support around 50 children and youth each year. The scholarships allow for participation in team sports like soccer, baseball and volleyball. Plus they can take swim lessons, do youth dance and youth cheer, and even be involved in arts and crafts classes. Whatever we have, the scholarships can be used for it.”
Jeff Grim, recreation director, Thompson Rivers Parks & Recreation District
