*Photo courtesy of* ***Amahirani Reyes****, CHOC Impact Youth Services Program Manager*

Dairy Council of California’s Grant Makes Positive Impact

The summer’s in full swing with CHOC Community Impact. The arrival of June kicks off our summer enrichment programs at several of our communities across California. June is also National Dairy Month. As the school year ends and summer break begins, our programs in Riverside County and Northern California are back in full swing, serving lunches and offering an enrichment curriculum that incorporates both academic and emotional learning.

CHOC recently received a generoug $6,000 grant from The Dairy Council of California. This grant directly supports our Community Impact team’s efforts to provide essential nutrition education this summer, to resident kids in our affordable housing communities.

Keep reading to learn more about how CHOC Community Impact is making a difference.

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Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grant

The Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grant is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to promoting healthy eating, addressing resident needs within our California communities. The aforementioned $6,000 grant, awarded in February 2024, is already helping CHOC bring services to children attending our after-school programs.

“Dairy Council of California’s initiative, Let’s Eat Healthy, unites champions who share a commitment to the pivotal role of nutrition in empowering healthier children, families, and communities,” said Shannan Young, Partnerships & Programs Officer, Dairy Council of California.

“Through the Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grants, we foster local partnerships to promote access to science-based nutrition education, ensure access to nutritious foods, including milk and dairy, and enhance agricultural literacy to educate communities on the vital role of dairy in sustainable food systems.”

At the core of CHOC’s mission is the well-being of our residents. This grant aligns perfectly with our goals, especially in the realm of youth nutrition education.

“CHOC sincerely appreciates Dairy Council of California’s generous support, solidifying this valuable partnership,” said Amahirani Reyes, Community Impact Youth Services Program Manager. “Their support significantly enhances our youth nutrition education across our affordable housing communities, leaving a positive and lasting impact.”

Details of the Grant

The Dairy Council of California’s $6,000 grant is directly enhancing our summer youth programming; this funding allows CHOC Community Impact to:

Expand our lunch program, ensuring more children receive nutritious meals
Enrich our curriculum with additional resources for social and emotional learning
Support the training and development of our staff to deliver high-quality programs

“Our collaboration with CHOC and their [CHOC Impact] youth programs (provides) children with hands-on nutrition learning experiences, while building foundational skills for lifelong health,” said Young.

Photo courtesy of Amahirani Reyes, CHOC Impact Youth Services Program Manager

A Holistic Approach to Nutrition Education

CHOC Community Impact summer programs are designed to serve kids lunch, offer workshops and cooking classes, and to teach good nutrition. Additionally, our lunches ensure that no child is without lunch during the summer, and helps resident kids begin healthy eating habits that will stay with them for a lifetime.

The long-term goal behind these education programs is to reduce the number of diet-related health issues later in life. Ultimately, our aim is to foster positive health impacts for years to come.

Impact on the Community

CHOC Impact’s summer programs are more than just a great way to keep kids busy—they are designed to provide essential life skills and knowledge. By providing nutritious meals and a well-rounded curriculum, CHOC Impact fosters a home-related environment where children thrive, academically and emotionally.

Amy DeLisio, CEO of Dairy Council of California, emphasized the impact of the grant program.

“The Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grants are another powerful tool for organizations to continue to provide access and opportunities where children, families, and communities can build positive connections between nutrition, agriculture, and lifelong healthy eating.”

The Let’s Eat Healthy grant is part of Dairy Council of California's broader initiative, awarding over $45,000 in grants to organizations like CHOC. This critical support allows us to continue providing nutrition education and food and agricultural literacy among residents.

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Founded in 1984, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) is a non-profit affordable housing developer, energy, services and property management provider headquartered in Fairfield, CA; we create and manage equitable communities for individuals, families, seniors, and those with special needs. CHOC believes that economically integrated affordable housing is key to self-sufficiency and achievable with enriching, supportive programs that instill pride in residents, stabilize families, and improve local economies. Visit CHOCHousing.org.

June is Dairy Month: CHOC Impact’s Summer Program Kick Off