Healthy Kids Archive (April 2025)

Healthy Kids Program Resources

Access Healthy Kids Resources in PDF format.

 

About Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids Thunder Bay has a long history of supporting children and families by fostering collaboration and adapting to meet community needs.

The initiative began in 2015 with the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This program promoted children’s health through fun, theme-based activities that encouraged physical activity, healthy eating, and reduced screen time. Themes like Run. Jump. Play. Every Day. and Water Does Wonders engaged thousands of families and mobilized local organizations, schools, and neighbourhoods. The program successfully ran until 2018, establishing a strong foundation for collaboration and health promotion across Thunder Bay.

In 2018, the initiative evolved into Keeping Kids Healthy Through Collective Impact, funded by the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA). This phase emphasized partnerships to address systemic barriers to children’s health, focusing on sustainable solutions in areas like physical activity, nutrition, and access to resources. By working collaboratively with community organizations, schools, and families, this phase created a supportive environment for long-term health improvements.

Building on these successes, Healthy Kids H.O.M.E. (Health on the Move for Equity) Program was launched in 2020, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and additional support from in-kind contributions by community partners. This program specifically targeted four priority neighbourhoods—Windsor Street, Academy Heights, Minnesota Park, and Westfort—using a community-driven, asset-based approach to empower residents and improve the health of approximately 1,200 children and their families.

The Legacy of the Healthy Kids H.O.M.E. Program

Running from 2020 to 2023, the Healthy Kids H.O.M.E. Program was a collaborative effort led by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, in partnership with Our Kids Count, the City of Thunder Bay’s Recreation and Culture Division and Lakehead University’s School of Kinesiology. Supported by PHAC funding and in-kind contributions from local partners, the program built on principles of collaboration and community empowerment.

The H.O.M.E. program worked to address barriers such as cost, childcare, and transportation by delivering equitable, evidence-informed programming. Guided by the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) model, the initiative celebrated neighbourhood strengths, empowering residents to build skills, leverage local resources, and foster positive change.

Key Achievements of the H.O.M.E. Program included:

  • Community Engagement: Creating opportunities for residents to guide and shape local initiatives.
  • Health-Promoting Programming: Delivering workshops and activities focused on physical activity, nutrition, smoking prevention and cessation and mental health.
  • Sustaining Healthy Behaviours: Building residents' knowledge and skills for long-term health improvements.

The program’s four priority neighbourhoods were selected based on key community data:

  • Early Development Instrument (EDI): Measuring children’s developmental milestones.
  • Social Risk Index (SRI): Evaluating socioeconomic factors influencing early childhood outcomes.
  • Community Assets: Assessing childcare spaces, social housing, food access, and the built environment.

Designated Healthy Kids Sites in the neighbourhoods have became trusted hubs for families, breaking down barriers to access and providing tailored programs and services.

A Lasting Legacy

Although the Healthy Kids H.O.M.E. Program has concluded, its impact remains visible across Thunder Bay. The partnerships fostered through the program continue to grow and evolve as part of the ongoing Healthy Kids Thunder Bay initiative. 

A key legacy of this collaborative work is the leadership of the Healthy Kids Steering Committee, which now serves as the Chair of Priority 6: Supports for Children, Youth, and Families in Thunder Bay’s Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan. Through this role, Healthy Kids Thunder Bay continues to bring together partners across sectors to improve the lives of children and families.

By empowering residents, fostering partnerships, and championing health promotion, Healthy Kids Thunder Bay remains a trusted resource in the community, committed to building a healthier, stronger future for all.

It Takes a Community of Partners

Healthy Kids Thunder Bay thrives thanks to the dedication and support of committed community partners across the health, education, social services, public, and private sectors. These partners contribute their time, expertise, programming, staff, and space to ensure the success of Healthy Kids initiatives. By working together, these organizations enable Healthy Kids to respond to community needs and support residents in Thunder Bay’s priority neighbourhoods.

Healthy Kids is supported and guided by a strong steering committee composed of community organizations that work together to provide strategic direction and ensure programs remain relevant and impactful. These organizations contribute as needs arise, including sports groups, cultural programs, and grassroots initiatives. Healthy Kids would not be possible without the collaboration and commitment of all its community partners.

Our Community Partners

Healthy Kids Thunder Bay is proud to work alongside a diverse group of partners:

Contact Us
healthykids@tbdhu.com

 

 

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