Brooke Jackman Foundation Launches Brooke's Cooks, New Initiative to Promote Healthy Living Among At-Risk Youth and Their Families
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 28, 2014 -- The Brooke Jackman Foundation (BJF), a children’s literacy organization that has donated more than 200,000 books to children and families in need since its founding in 2001, announces the launch of Brooke’s Cooks, a new initiative designed to promote literacy, learning and family values, while encouraging healthy living among at-risk children and their families in the New York City area. Brooke’s Cooks will include a series of nutrition information workshops, cooking demonstrations and readings. BJF, in an effort to provide hands-on exploratory activities involving food and nutrition, has arranged for Spoons Across America to bring their Take A Taste with Spoons: Spoons Salad Days to Brooke’s Cooks activities. The Brooke’s Cooks launch event will be held at the St. Nicks Alliance in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Thursday, July 31, at 11 a.m.
During the launch event, nearly 30 children ages 5 – 12, and their families will participate in a Take A Taste with Spoons: Spoons Salad Days demonstration led by Spoons Curriculum Leader Catherine Lea. The program will begin with an introductory discussion about eating seasonally and locally and a workshop to teach the children how to measure ingredients and cut safely. The group will then make a salad and homemade vinaigrette with fresh ingredients, including herbs the children will pick from the St. Nicks garden. The day will also include readings from Soup Day by Melissa Iwei and Salad People by Molly Katzen. Each child will go home with a copy of Salad People as well as a handout with nutritious recipes to make at home with their families.
“For nearly 13 years, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has been working to advance literacy and instill a love of reading in at-risk youth and their families through programs that support the whole child and enhance their lives in many ways. We hope Brooke’s Cooks will continue this legacy by providing hands-on activities that engage children in new aspects of reading,” said Erin Jackman, BJF Executive Director. “We are thrilled to work with Spoons Across America and look forward to leveraging their expertise in culinary education to show kids how fun a healthy lifestyle can be, while using books to bring stories about food and family to life.”
“Spoons Across America® was founded on the premise that it is essential to the health of our children and our society to bring the joys of the table to the children of America,” said James Grosso, Executive Director of Spoons Across America. “We are thrilled for the opportunity to bring our programs to the children of Brooke’s Cooks.”
This fall, the Brooke Jackman Foundation will debut the third book in BJF’s ABC compilation series, ABC Food, Family, and Me. The collection of short stories will include narratives and illustrations for each letter of the alphabet about food and family written by the talented children of the Brooke Jackman Foundation. It will also include healthy eating tips and recipes provided by Spoons Across America.
Through Brooke’s Cooks, the Brooke Jackman Foundation will continue to foster a love of reading while engaging children in interactive nutrition programs and events that instill healthy habits. The next Brooke’s Cooks demonstration and reading will be held on October 9 at the YM&YWHA in Washington Heights. Another event is being planned in November.
For more information about Brooke’s Cooks, visit brookejackmanfoundation.org.
About the Brooke Jackman Foundation
The Brooke Jackman Foundation was created in 2001 to honor Brooke Jackman, a bright and compassionate 23-year-old who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks before achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. Brooke was an avid reader, and her passion and commitment to literacy and helping children spurred the Jackman family to create BJF as her living legacy – turning tragedy and despair into hope for a better world. Since 2001, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has donated over 200,000 books and over 20,000 Brooke Packs, backpacks filled with books and school supplies, to children and families in need. BJF has established four libraries, as well as a number of after-school literacy programs, in all five boroughs, including homeless shelters and Family Justice Centers for victims of domestic violence and crime in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The annual September Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon celebrates the resiliency of New York and its children. Visit http://www.brookejackmanfoundation.org.
About Spoons Across America
Spoons Across America, a forward-thinking institution, was founded in 2001 by a group of educators, chefs, and food professionals to increase awareness of the importance of food and nutrition education to the health and well-being of our children. Our programs influence the eating habits of children through exploratory educational methodologies that celebrate the connection to fresh, locally produced foods, and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table. Our core programs (The Dinner Party Project, Agricultural Literacy Week, Take A Taste with Spoons, Food Mile Relay, Market Basket Tour Guide Program and Take A Taste with Spoons: Salad Days) are in great demand − a testament to our ability to provide programs that are in-tune with the community of people we serve. Visit http://www.spoonsacrossamerica.org.
About St. Nicks Alliance
St. Nicks Alliance is a nonprofit, nonsectarian community based organization in North Brooklyn. Since 1975, St. Nicks Alliance has sought to improve the quality of life of low- to moderate-income North Brooklyn residents. Its work focuses on five key areas: affordable housing, youth and education, elder care, workforce development, and economic development. Visit http://www.stnicksalliance.org.
Brittnie Mabry, Phil and Company, http://philandcompany.com, +1 (646) 490-6446, [email protected]
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