Happy Org

Minimizing risks for preventable health issues and empowering youth to make healthy choices.

The Problem

More than 23 million children and teens in the US are at increased risk of falling sick with a range of illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, type-2 diabetes, highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints, and some cancers. If that’s not bad enough, these young often suffer social discrimination, struggle with low self-esteem, and run up against physical and psychological barriers to educational attainment. These effects ripple through their lives into adulthood, with economic and social consequences that affect individuals, families, and all of society.

The Solution

Working elementary and middle schools and summer camps in communities where kids and their families typically have little to no access to health and prevention education initiatives, the Happy Org provides programs to help minimize risks for preventable health issues and empower youth and families to make healthy choices. The organization estimate that 87% of its youth participants have gone on to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyle choices, including eating more fruits and vegetables, giving up or significantly limiting sugary drinks, and eating more home-cooked meals.