Since 2005 Family Network’s Right From The Start program has been providing fitness and nutrition classes to the Latino community in Highland Park and Highwood. This program was created to address the higher incidence of obesity in the Latino community and to encourage a healthier lifestyle for the entire family. 

Fitness and Nutrition Class Description 

Each 70 minute class consists of a healthy snack, a fun-filled and engaging aerobic fitness activity and an educational session focusing on a nutritional topic. A craft project is also included to help reinforce key concepts from the presentation. The focus is on children from 1^st to 3^rd grade, because it is important to start teaching healthy eating and fitness habits as early as possible. The nutrition topics are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner, providing simple suggestions on how to change eating habits, while taking in account the foods that are available at home, and at the same time gently introducing new foods to encourage students to try them.

The program also provides parents with fitness and nutrition education. Fitness classes provide our adult participants with an opportunity to have fun, burn calories and reduce stress.

Family Network is grateful for the immeasurable support of all of the collaborative community partners that helped to make this program so successful including; Pamela Weston, Cristina Persico, Principal Sandy Anderson of Oak Terrance Elementary School, The University of Illinois Extension, The Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, The North Shore Health Center and of course the children and their families for their participation, enthusiasm and support.

To learn more about Family Network check out their website at

www.familynetworkcenter.org or call them at 847-433-0377.