GENYOUth

10/09/2026

When activities are welcoming, students can discover new interests, build confidence, and find their place on the team. 🏈💚

For National Youth Council member Anusha, seeing more girls get involved in NFL FLAG-In-School has been an exciting example of how sports can create opportunities for students who may not have participated in athletics before.

With International Day of the Girl on October 11, we're amplifying student voices and celebrating opportunities that help girls feel included, active, and empowered at school.

Learn more about GENYOUth and our work to support healthy, active students at genyouthnow.org/.

10/06/2026

🍪📖 Congratulations to our Board of Directors member, Chef Carla Hall, on the launch of her newest cookbook, Carla Bakes!

Inspired by Carla’s Southern roots, travels, and love of creativity in the kitchen, this delicious cookbook invites bakers to have fun and make baking their own. ✨

We love celebrating the achievements of our Board of Directors and appreciate their passionate support of GENYOUth’s work to help children thrive💚

10/01/2026

A Shared Vision for a Culture of Wellness in Schools.

GENYOUth’s national youth insights reveal that when young people feel respected and included, have opportunities to move, and are well-nourished, they come to school & are ready to learn. These aren’t extras. They’re essentials. 💚

GENYOUth convened leaders across education, health, nutrition, sports, media, business, and importantly, students to explore what it takes to create a culture of wellness in schools. That conversation sparked a cross-sector Shared Vision—now endorsed by 22 organizations.

Together, we’re committed to five priorities that help students show up, engage, and thrive:

✅ Elevate student voice
✅ Build movement into the school day
✅ Expand access to healthy school meals
✅ Strengthen belonging and relationships
✅ Mobilize national support for school wellness

Thank you to the 22 organizations joining us in this shared commitment to creating schools where every young person can thrive.

Read the Shared Vision & join us in turning these priorities into action in schools across the country. https://bit.ly/4hfMBln

09/30/2026

🍎📚 School meals are essential for student success.

Join Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and GENYOUth for “Ready to Learn: The Power of School Meals in Student Success,” a webinar on October 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET exploring how access to nutritious school meals can support student attendance, classroom engagement, well-being, and academic success.

The conversation will bring together research, real-world experiences, and student perspectives, including findings from GENYOUth’s latest report, Present, Engaged, and Thriving: The Power of a Wellness Culture in Schools.

Our student panelist, Sam, a 12th-grade member of our National Youth Council from Massachusetts, will share his perspective on how school meals shape the school day for him and his peers.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p1wzRotuQ8KcuGgDfsjslQ #/registration

09/29/2026

GENYOUth is in USA TODAY! 📰 Stephen Borelli's feature on NFL FLAG-In-School includes our school event last week with the Washington Commanders, celebrating Gatorade's $1 million donation. That funding will provide 1,000 flag football kits to schools nationwide, including in Washington, D.C.

💚 When schools make physical activity part of the day, students get stronger bodies, sharper minds, and a boost in confidence and wellbeing. Schools are critical to ensuring all students have equitable access to play, and NFL FLAG-In-School is helping girls and boys move more, build confidence, and discover the joy of being active. 🏈

Read Stephen’s story 👉 https://bit.ly/4hfCi0G

Flag football is the fastest-growing youth team sport and high school sport in the country. What's behind the movement? We spoke to some key players.

09/28/2026

What does it take to turn family and community engagement into action?

Join Action for Healthy Kids on September 30 for Everyday Champions, featuring Margaret Caspe, PhD, from NAFSCE, alongside parents and community leaders sharing real stories and practical ideas for creating more active schools.

📅 September 30 | 1 p.m. ET 🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4xXRAwI

09/24/2026

🏃‍♀️ GENYOUth was at the 4th Annual Move With US Physical Activity Symposium this week, hosted by the Physical Activity Alliance! Our Lauren Izzo and Emily Weinberg enjoyed connecting with fellow advocates, including Montana Brown of Action for Healthy Kids and Jayne Greenberg, chair of the National Physical Activity Plan’s Education Sector.

The conversations have sparked fresh ideas for bringing more physical activity into students’ school days. We’re excited to bring those ideas and new connections back to our work with schools and educators. 💚

09/23/2026

Today, Darrell Green helped students discover just how fun — and empowering — being active can be.

The Commanders Legend and Pro Bowl Hall of Famer joined GENYOUth, Gatorade, the NFL, the Washington Commanders, IDEA Public Charter School, and KIPP DC College Preparatory for a flag football skills and drills clinic celebrating Gatorade's commitment to getting more students active.

Through Gatorade’s $1 million commitment to GENYOUth, 1,000 NFL FLAG-In-School kits are heading to schools in key markets across the nation— including DC — potentially engaging more than 550,000 students nationwide.

With the right equipment, resources, and opportunities to get on the field, NFL FLAG-In-School is helping students move more, build confidence, work as a team, and discover the joy of being active.

Thank you, Gatorade, for believing that every student deserves the chance to move, play, and belong — and for helping to make it happen.

Learn more about NFL FLAG-In-School resources at flag.genyouthnow.org.

09/21/2026

For National Youth Council member Cameron, the school day starts with a nutritious breakfast. 🍳

As a student and athlete, Cameron knows how important it is to have access to a meal that can fuel you through the morning. Having breakfast at school gives Cameron, and his fellow classmates, the opportunity to start the day feeling fueled and ready to learn and participate.

At GENYOUth, we believe every student deserves access to the nutrition and resources they need to thrive at school. 💚

Learn more about GENYOUth and our work to help students thrive: genyouthnow.org/

09/16/2026

What happens when school meals become something every student can count on? Anusha, a National Youth Council member, sees an opportunity for more students to feel comfortable coming to the cafeteria and getting the food they need to thrive at school. 🍎

Anusha feels access to free nutritious school meals creates a barrier-free environment where students can feel supported throughout their day.

During , we're amplifying student voices and working toward a future where no student has to attend school on an empty stomach. 💙

Help GENYOUth today: genyouthnow.org.