UNITEDHEALTHCARE COMMUNITY PLAN OF FLORIDA AND FLORIDA 4-H CO-SPONSOR OVERTOWN YOUTH CENTER COMMUNITY GARDEN

01 Sep UNITEDHEALTHCARE COMMUNITY PLAN OF FLORIDA AND FLORIDA 4-H CO-SPONSOR OVERTOWN YOUTH CENTER COMMUNITY GARDEN

M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

Media Contacts:
Molly McMillen
UnitedHealthcare
(612) 353-7778

WHAT: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Overtown Youth Center Community Garden

WHY: Community gardens can serve as an outdoor classroom where youth can learn valuable skills, like those involving practical math, communication, responsibility and cooperation. They also provide the opportunity to learn about the importance of community, stewardship and environmental responsibility. Additionally, gardening is a healthy, inexpensive activity for youth that can bring them closer to nature, and allow them to interact with each other in a socially meaningful and physically productive way.

Studies have shown that community gardeners and their children eat healthier, more nutrient rich diets. It also allows youth to learn where their foods come from and how to be self sustainable by properly growing them.
In communities like Overtown, community gardens give youth a safe place to interact with peers and involve them in beneficial activities. It also provides access to traditional produce or nutritionally rich foods that may otherwise be unavailable to low-income families and individuals.

Learning and working in the garden has a myriad of benefits for participants of any age. This work helps develop well-rounded citizens with strong life skills and community perspective.

WHEN: Friday, September 20, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.
Overtown Youth Center
415 NW 14th Street, Miami 33136
(305) 349-1204

MEDIA: Interviews with representatives from Overtown Youth Center, 4-H, and UnitedHealthcare will be available

About 4-H
With 540,000 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni, the 4-H movement supports 6 million young people every year, from elementary school through high school, with programs designed to shape future leaders and innovators. Fueled by research-driven programming, 4-H’ers engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of science, citizenship and healthy living.

About Overtown Youth Center
The Overtown Youth Center was the vision of local real estate developer Martin Z. Margulies. Through the Margulies Foundation, he built the Overtown Youth Center with the support of Alonzo Mourning in hopes of creating a safe haven for the children in Overtown. Opening in early 2003, the Overtown Youth Center (OYC) is a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of Miami’s inner city. The Center co-locates academic and recreational activities in a safe environment, working with children, families, and schools from grade 2 to graduation. We offer in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs that include academic enhancement, physical fitness, health care and nutrition, creative arts, prevention, character-building, and family-oriented activities, including parent orientation.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.