Fresh Ministries, Inc. Partners with the Jacksonville’s Police Athletic League to Promote Healthy Lifestyles

This summer, Fresh Futures, an initiative of Fresh Ministries, Inc. is partnering with Jacksonville’s Police Athletic League to work with over 180 youth across Duval and Nassau County. These students, aged five through 19, are currently on basketball and swim teams that implement a Prevention Plus Wellness curriculum called SPORT. The curriculum incorporates activities and conversations about substance abuse topics, such as how drugs and other unhealthy lifestyle choices can negatively affect athletic bodies. The curriculum also discusses the importance of healthy eating, getting adequate sleep, and other healthy lifestyle choices. 

In order to gauge learning and perception of harm the students also receive pre and post surveys.

“Being a part of Fresh Ministries’ Fresh Futures program provides us with multiple real-life experiences and prevents us from dealing with life struggles other young people our age have to cope with. The program has encouraged us to act and look more professional which ultimately has helped prevent us from being stereotyped and kept us away from negative influences.” they continue, “For some of us, being in this program has also taught us how to be more empathetic towards the troubled youth in our age group, and has caused us to want to share our experiences in the program with our friends and encourage them to change their direction,” stated Fresh Futures students, pictured.

About Fresh Futures

Fresh Futures Youth Program serves at-risk non-adjudicated youth and at-risk adjudicated youth through coordinated – yet specializes programs designed to meet the unique needs of each cohort. The Fresh Futures Youth Program is a year-long program for Duval County high-school students that provides training in financial literacy, college readiness, job readiness, academic enrichment, health and wellness, family involvement, cultural outings, leadership, and character development. 

The program culminates with a summer internship experience for qualifying students. Students meet at least two Saturdays a month during the school year at the Weaver Center for Community Outreach.

Learn more by visiting, freshministries.org/fresh-futures-youth-program/