Let's Move! Campaign Kicks Off in New Haven

Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez and Westville Manor children participate in the Let's Move! campaign event

HUD Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing Sandra Henriquez joined staff from the New Haven Housing Authority, KaBOOM!, The Home Depot Foundation, Solar Youth and Westville Manor resident leader Terese Stevenson to promote first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign against childhood obesity. The ceremony kicked off the creation of a playground to strengthen community ties and provide a safe place for children.

Over 100 kids and parents gathered to help design the new playground. The project represents a "place-based" strategy for health and growth, which along with the playground includes urban agriculture and farmers' markets.

On July 8, 2010, over 150 volunteers will build a playground in eight hours for residents of Westville Manor located in New Haven. The public housing complex is home to 150 families with more than 200 children.

According to Henriquez, "Kids living in neighborhoods with few amenities--without access to sidewalks or walking paths, parks or playgrounds--have 20 to 45 percent higher odds of becoming obese or overweight compared to children who live in better designed communities."

HUD is committed to being an ongoing, active partner in the Let's Move! campaign. The Sustainable Communities Initiative promotes walkable communities, with access to recreational opportunities and centered around transit, in order to link land use, transportation and housing. In addition, HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative promotes access to grocery stores and fresh foods as vital to viable communities.