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Children today are expected to be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan then their parents. At Treeswing, we believe we can reverse this trend and recreate a healthy, supportive environment for our children. Through innovative partnerships and programs, Treeswing improves the health of our children and prevents the devestating physical, social and societal impacts of childhood obesity. Our aim is to foster a lifetime of healthy habits and healthy families and build generations of active communities.   

Founded just two years ago, Treeswing has already made a significant impact in the Seattle community through partnerships that leverage our resources and create maximum opportunities for impact. Our strategy for change is multi-faceted: 

We target the child’s environment for positive change:

• Get Fit – Get Smart!: A partnership with the Seattle Public School District to implement a new, researched-based Physical Education curriculum focused on lifelong wellness. This will be implemented district-wide and will impact over 46,000 children, 59% of whom are minorities and at the greatest risk for obesity. A child's potential for academic success is also directly linked to their health and well-being – physically, emotionally and socially.

We want to make healthy choices easy and fun for kids:

• Green Halloween:  A regional education effort promoting healthy, sustainable alternatives to candy for Halloween that are kid-friendly and Earth-friendly.

• Jump Up!:  In partnership with Children’s Hospital, we will be distributing jump ropes to every kindergartner in Seattle, generating awareness and excitement for physcial acitivty for children.

We work to create scaleable, model programs:

• Teen CHAT (Community Health Action Team): Teen CHAT engages young people in the dialogue and problem-solving around health and wellness in their community.  Over the last year, Teen CHAT members served as youth representatives for over 50 community and policy meetings and planned and implemented several youth-driven and youth-led projects.  

The Treeswing Name

Remember the days when kids walked from school, had a quick snack, and then ran outside to play? We do. Our name Treeswing takes us back to “the good old days” when children soared on the tree swing in the back yard or biked to a neighbor’s to play. Today there often are no sidewalks to bike on, and video games have replaced kickball as the activity of choice. Families don’t have time to sit down to dinner together – instead it’s driving through a fast food restaurant.  

Treeswing believes, that with your help, we can bring healthy habits back into our children’s lives.