100 Citizens: Role Models for the Future
WINNER: Popular Choice Award
“100 Citizens: Role Models for the Future” reflects what our collaborative group, City of San Fernando Partnership for Healthy Families believes; ending childhood obesity within a generation begins at home with the family. We have to work with the adults, the parents and grandparents to establish a healthier lifestyle so they can teach their children how to be physically active and eat healthier. Our children can’t do it on their own. There is no better way to have our adults understand than by being involved and feel the difference it makes in their lives. They become the role models. We do this through free physical activity programming and culturally appropriate nutrition demonstrations. It has worked. The 100 Citizens program, a fitness workout in the city’s public park, has run continuously since June 2011 with exercise stations staffed by Kinesiology student volunteers educated in the delivery and benefits of physical activity. The program now includes Zumba, body sculpting, seniors, and cycle spinning which the parks charge a small fee to help program expansion. HOWEVER, the basic fitness class always will be a popular free option. The Partnership resonates with the citizens because they understand the city cares to bring education and outside resources to help them live healthier lives and transmit this to their children. The public park is free and the activity is visible which is the best marketing … people moving, the class costs nothing and most importantly, the kids see adults having fun being active. 100 Citizens is contagious. 24 Hour Fitness donated 40 spinning bikes because they recognize the value being offered and wanted to make their contribution. 100 Citizens is replicable having spawned 4 more free 100 Citizens programs serving as role models for the future. They’re teaching their kids!

177 comments
bill carroll • almost 14 years ago
please log on and vote yes to support healthy lifestyles for our youth
jodi eyraud • almost 14 years ago
This is an amazing program, Dr. Loy and his students outreach is far beyond what you see in this video. I have never seen a program in my 25 years as physical educator so dedicated to making a difference in the commmunity. They deserve your vote!!!
Jodi E.
Paschal McCalister • almost 14 years ago
This Program is awesome, If you're looking for a program that helps adults and children fight obesity it will be this program. They have nutrition classes and fitness classes. :) GO CSUN!!!!!
Roxy Guerrero • almost 14 years ago
Great work CSUN KIN!!! you clearly demonstrated team-work to get back on top!! keep it up! i'm voting for you everyday!
Kyle Jimenez • almost 14 years ago
Go CSUN we KIN do it!!
Alen Piliposyan • almost 14 years ago
Great work csun kin! You guys have my vote!
Jorge Calienes • almost 14 years ago
Kinesiology is a great program that incorporates the Community Colleges and Universities working with the community to accomplish goals that will have such a significant impact on health and well being.
Debra Hammond • almost 14 years ago
This is a an amazing program--that deserves recognition. Keep the votes coming.
Wendy Ortega • almost 14 years ago
I have participated with this group and found them very dedicated and encouraging to all participants. I hope they achieve their goal of getting to the White House.
EDGAR QUIROGA • almost 14 years ago
QUE PASO¡¡¡¡¡¡
YA CASÍ LOS ALCANZÁBAMOS Y NOS COGIERON 500 VOTOS EN UNA TARDE.
Marjorie Freedman • almost 14 years ago
Susan, you are 100% correct that children born with PW did not choose this horrible disease. Many low-income folks who lack access to healthful foods and safe places for their children to play also did not choose those options either. The fact that your group wants to bring awareness of PW to the White House is admirable. But can you tell me how your video is aligned with the Let's Move Campaign? I did not see anything on the Let's Move website that speaks to the issue of hosting fundraising walks to raise awareness of a disease (that effects a small minority of obese children in the US, and even the world) as something communities can do to fight childhood obesity. As a scientist, I am all for research. But please educate me as to how your video is aligned with the messages of Let's Move so that I can understand where you and your group is coming from. Everything I have seen on your website(s) show that your motivation is simply to bring national attention to this disease.
Vicky Jaque • almost 14 years ago
I am so proud of what the 100 Citizens program offers to those in under served areas. This is such an important program in the fight against obesity, as individuals in these areas often lack the resources to allow them to learn about how to exercise effectively. I feel that this video is best aligned with the Campaign, as it depicts a program to decrease childhood obesity that is sustainable and community based. I very much agree with Marjorie F. As a researcher and scientist, and also as the mom of a child with a life-threatening rare disease (that requires exercise), I support rare disease research wholeheartedly; however, this campaign is not the right place for the promotion of a disease specific research funding agenda. That should be done by lobbying senators and congressmen, and arranging meetings at the NIH, as other rare disease groups have done. And an FYI for those who don't know - many of the people associated with 100 Citizens have supported rare disease research in honor of our family. The faculty and students involved are amazing people. So proud of all of you!
Diane Haro • almost 14 years ago
Thanks for you input Vicky J! Glad to hear words from a research/scientist the "difference" between the two videos. Marjorie F. Thank you also, for enlighting me... I'm not the only one that questioned "how does their video, fit in our catagory?" It bugs me when "they" can blog,(cyber bullying), mean,unprofessional comments when Dr. Loy & his great students put their valuable time and engery to this Free-low cost Program to help our community. I feel future restrictions on negative blogging from other sites should be blocked, and their site should be reprimanded. "Lets Vote Everyone!!!" (Ok, now I feel better).
Carie Salas • almost 14 years ago
So proud to be a CSUN Kinesiology major and so very proud of Dr. Loy and all the undergrads that have been working so hard on the 100 Citizens program! Great job! Let's keep up the good work and make a difference in people's lives!
Steven Loy • almost 14 years ago
The greatest happening to occur from entering this Challenge is to see the coming together of so many people from different walks of life, from our university, from the City of San Fernando, and from votes coming across the country,from different countries as families communicated saying, look at this video! ... the coming together for a common goal ... to get word of a unique program that we built as an "efficient" vehicle to deliver exercise and nutrition programs at no cost to an underserved yet deserving community.
WE discovered a program that resonated so well that it "demanded" expansion if the students were willing ... and they were! The students proceeded to expand San Fernando and move on to Sylmar and to Pasadena and then their KIN can do attitude "demanded" the country know what a Kinesiology student could do to make a difference in the health of America.
With the cost of being obesity and diabetes costing $45 billion dollars in California ... the effect of a free program improving 100 Citizens health makes sense. To have it replicated across the country? That efficient vehicle from last summer turned out to be a vehicle capable of hauling a 18 wheeler semi into communities ... reaching hundreds, creating new exercise programs, creating jobs for students, and in the process helping students understand what was possible with their Kinesiology education.
And now, we ask for the votes to show the country what we've discovered and educate other universities about what KIN can do for public health. Our students can educate and create programs which eventually can be customized to the community to address their specific needs ... seniors, children, those with disease that can be improved by exercise ...all in free public parks. So much is possible and regardless of the outcome of this challenge ... our 100 Citizens message has already been delivered and our students know .... they can change the health of the world with their knowledge. Mission Accomplished!
I have only met a few of you so, allow this video to give my thanks to all of you for all your support. We're still going for the votes because we want to share our 100 Citizens. So, thank you. It's going to be a fun week at CSUN... If you're lucky, we'll be able to post a video of students having fun with 100 Citizens!
Message from Dr. Steven Loy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqkfjdPT0rQ
Patty Melody • almost 14 years ago
Keep voting kinesiology brothers and sisters. We seem to pick up our numbers in the evening after a full day of our community efforts. We have come together in this competition to find our higher purpose to help all those around us. So we have already won! Thanks for a great month of camaraderie. It is nice to know there are so many of you working so hard in our community parks, and schools, and child care centers and in your backyards to help others exercise and eat better. Healthy habits work better when we have each other's support and meaning in our lives. After all we are not machines. Knowing is one thing. Doing takes compassion for one another. I love being a physical education teacher and reaching out everyday to my students and the children's programs here at Valley College. I was a product of Valley College's Community Services program which helped my mom, a single parent, get her education and help myself and my brother participate in gymnastics, dance and swimming. All of these activities would normally be cost-prohibititive to a low-income family from Panorama City. Hard times but Valley College and CSUN were always offering low to no-cost programs for our family. Now an alumni from CSUN's Kinesiology program I am a full time professor at Los Angeles Valley College giving back in a most passionate way. Thank you for my life CSUN and my family thanks you! Patty Melody
Brenda Smith • almost 14 years ago
Good luck! I hope you win!
Patty Melody • almost 14 years ago
I have observed an additional benefit of "100 Citizens: Role Models for the Future". Besides reaching out to the community and teaching the importance of exercise and nutrition we have joined this "grassroots" venture to teach our students the importance of civic responsibility - getting out there and talking to people and voting. What a wonderful American trait! I was shocked at how many of my students were initially complacent. I would ask my students "did you get my email to vote?". "What email?" some would reply. Some would say "why is this important?". And we would have a discussion. It was so refreshing to use what we learn in the classroom and apply it to the real public health problems we see everyday in our neighborhoods. I was also amazed at how many students had problems logging into computers. Many of our students come from under-served communities so not only did they experience a taste of civic responsibility but they also learned how to log onto a computer and take charge of their health and their lives. Thank you "100 Citizens" and thank you Dr. Loy.
Julie Casey • almost 14 years ago
Diane H
I'm not sure what Susan M was responding to and therefore will not attempt to defend or justify her thoughts, which as far as I can tell are the only negative thing (and which for all I know might have been in response to a now deleted comment) I have seen from the PWS community. We have however experienced at least a few comments, including yours, questioning the validity of the entry. There was also at least 1 comment here that seemed to be mocking (at least that's how it was perceived by me) One Small Step, by using "One Big Step" (I note that that comment has since been edited to delete that part).
So I'm really curious as to what you are referring to when you state "It bugs me when "they" can blog,(cyber bullying), mean,unprofessional comments ..." and "I feel future restrictions on negative blogging from other sites should be blocked, and their site should be reprimanded."? Where are these alleged blogs with mean comments (again, the one above excepted), cyber-bullying, etc.? Your comment seems to inflame instead of just spending your time supporting your cause.
Personally I think "100 Citizens: Role Models for the Future" looks like a great program and I sincerely hope that both it and One Small Step receive invitations to DC.
The goals of these two organizations are much closer than you think. One Small Step and the whole PWS community are precisely about promoting regular exercise and creating opportunities to do so (almost everyone can walk, which is why that is at the core of One Small Step); additionally we're about promoting healthy eating habits and eliminating all the horrendous habits society has when it comes to food.
I'd rather see these groups collaborating rather than arguing.
Good luck to you.
Patty Melody • almost 14 years ago
Good job 100 Citizens - Let's Move this week on our votes and all of our scheduled activities. Let's Move and Let's Eat Better! All of us!
Steven Loy • almost 14 years ago
Hi everyone,
It's been a long competition and at some point, there have been some comments that have caused some emotion. Everyone cares ... a lot. At the end of the day, we all agree ... exercise is a good thing and we all need to eat better if we're all going to be healthier .... so with all good intentions, let's finish off the week with everyone giving their very best effort ... much to be gained by everyone being a little more aware of each other's efforts.
Peter Vario • almost 14 years ago
Julie- I agree with you.
I'm not saying (Sue M) was appropriate with her responses, though I think it might of been in response to frustration to previous negative posts (that have now been deleted).
I also feel that sometimes when things hit close to home, people tend to respond the wrong way out of hurt and helplessness.
In the end lets come together to fight obesity. Stop pointing fingers as to who's video is wrong and who is right. We need to come together as a country and support eachother.
Peter Vario • almost 14 years ago
I also must say that was the only "negative" response I have ever seen from the PWS community.
Vicky Jaque • almost 14 years ago
I want to second Steven's comments. And I do want to thank him for having any posts with inappropriate/offensive content removed from the comments section to keep things positive for all of you 100 Citizens supporters. I know that they represented the views of individuals who were emotional and in the moment, they did not represent the views of the larger competing organization. Very proud of what all of you are doing out in the community to prevent obesity. Keep up the hard work promoting awareness of the program!
susan miller • almost 14 years ago
i wish to apologize to you all.i spoke from the heart and out of love for the prader wili child in my life.in doing so,i have only taken the low road and proven my own ignorance.my sincerest apologies