ABOUT UCLA HEALTH SOUND BODY SOUND MIND

Too often, physical education is treated as one of the least important subjects in school. Yet research shows that physical activity promotes better academic outcomes, improves social-emotional well-being, and builds healthy lifestyle habits. 

UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind (SBSM) has supported physical education throughout Los Angeles for more than 20 years by providing middle schools and high schools with state-of-the-art fitness centers, an innovative exercise curriculum, and professional development for teachers. 

Our organization has supported 137 schools in Los Angeles, and impacts more than 170,000 students annually, making us UCLA Health's largest community engagement program.

Providing ongoing support for our schools is a top priority. This year we are launching a comprehensive engagement campaign to provide updated resources and programming at all of our existing schools and we need your help! 

With support from donors like you, we can continue to build a healthier generation in Los Angeles!

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 42% of children are obese or overweight. The problem is particularly acute in low-income, high-minority communities, which regularly lack safe outdoor play space and recreational facilities. A recent study by the Children’s Defense Fund found adolescents who live in low-income neighborhoods were nine times more likely to be overweight when compared to their peers in more affluent areas. For many of these children, physical education class is often the only opportunity during the day to be active. Unfortunately, schools can rarely compensate for the fitness resources their neighborhoods lack and physical education budgets are being decreased or eliminated entirely. 

This is where Sound Body Sound Mind comes in. 

Our multi-faceted approach delivers more than just resources. We provide support, level the playing field for low-income schools dealing with little-to-no budget for PE, and most of all we have proven that this program really works!

Over the past four years, all 42 new SBSM schools have registered a positive increase in student passing rates on the California state fitness test (FitnessGram) after just eight weeks of SBSM Curriculum implementation. We also observed improvements in student perceptions and behaviors surrounding physical education and activity.

WHY GIVE?

We know that physical education is vital to the development of young minds and bodies. When you make a gift to support UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind, you're helping us build a healthier, more confident, and more active generation. 

This year we're focused on providing updated resources and programming at all of our existing schools. We need funding for new physical education classroom equipment, to perform maintenance in our fitness centers, and to provide improved professional development training for our PE teachers. 

Your gift, no matter the size, will make a tremendous impact. You can help provide resources like tennis balls, jump ropes, spin bikes, rowers, and much more. More than that, you'll be providing youth all across Los Angeles with higher self-esteem and brighter futures.​

This campaign has the potential to provide support to over 15 schools in our network. Thousands of students stand to benefit from the generosity of donors like you.

On behalf of all of us at UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind and the families and schools who will benefit from your generous support, THANK YOU! 

To learn more about UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind, please visit our website.