Take a Trip Down Memory Lane with Fit4Kids!

“Cause when you’re fifteen….” – Taylor Swift
(Shout-out to CEO Mary, our resident Swiftie!)

That lyric hit differently as I drove down I-64 last week, reflecting on our recent Eat & Greet and
everything the past 15 years have brought. Fifteen years of impact. Fifteen years of programs. Fifteen years of making healthy fun.

On April 27, 2010, Fit4Kids was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to improve children’s health through physical activity and nutrition. We started small, with just a couple of Learning Gardens and a big vision. Since then, we’ve grown into a regional movement, reaching over 8,000 children annually with school-based programs, hands-on learning, and moments that spark joy, confidence, and lifelong wellness.

We’ve helped students try garden-grown veggies for the first time. We’ve taught thousands to bike safely. We’ve supported teachers in making classroom lessons more active, launched new after-school sports and leadership-centric clubs for middle and high school girls, and watched entire school communities come together to cheer on their teams.

We’ve also faced challenges, from early growing pains to today’s federal funding threats that impact youth programs nationwide. But through it all, we have remained focused on the kids and families we serve.

In 2024, we launched our boldest initiative yet: Growing Healthy Kids, a three-year strategic plan and fundraising campaign designed to deepen our impact and expand access. Since then, we have grown from 25 to 45 Learning Gardens, expanded into early childhood education by supporting educators in building healthy habits in their classrooms, launched high school sports
clubs and leadership programs, and strengthened community partnerships and policy efforts to help improve RPS school meals, hydration, and more. We have also welcomed new staff and leadership, bringing diverse voices to help shape our future because big dreams require strong support and fresh perspectives to thrive.

We’re not slowing down. Even as we celebrate this milestone, we are looking ahead to new schools, new programs, and new opportunities to empower the next generation of healthy,
confident kids.

Fifteen years in, and we’re just getting started. In whichever role you have played, thank you for
being part of our journey.