The Crim Fitness Foundation is committed to serving a leadership role in advancing the national agenda for improving health in our nation’s communities. What does this mean? It means that the Crim believes we can be a catalyst for authentic change. Our response to fostering a healthier community environment is to provide physical activity and nutrition education to over 10,000 youth in the City of Flint, Genesee County, and beyond each and every day. The Crim strives to be a part of our better future help us fight childhood obesity, improve our community’s health, and increase access to physical activity. Flint is the largest city and the seat of Genesee County, Michigan. Located along the Flint River, 66 miles northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as MidMichigan. According to the 2020 census, Flint has a population of 81,252, making it the 12th largest city in Michigan. The Flint community, which once flourished as the epicenter of automobile production, is now known as a “community of recovery”. Deindustrialization led to the loss of population, an increase in abandoned homes, and widespread poverty. Under the Community Eligibility Provision, 100% of Flint students receive free lunch.

As a result of the lead water crisis and other environmental factors, almost 30% of students in Flint Community Schools qualify for special education services. Flint Community Schools has faced decreasing enrollment and an increasing budget deficit, causing difficult circumstances in the district. 74.2% of the student population identify as Black; 15.5% identify as white. The Crim Fitness Foundation cultivates accessible, vibrant communities in Flint and Genesee County that encourage people to lead healthy lifestyles by integrating physical activity, healthy eating, and mindfulness into their daily lives and mentor other communities to do the same. FoodCorps programming complements the Crim’s offering of nutrition education, physical activity, mindfulness training, community education, and policy/advocacy support in the community. FoodCorps service members are valued members of the Crim Team and bring together many aspects of the Crim’s mission to connect kids to healthy food in the Flint Community Schools. Service Members would be assigned to two schools within Flint Community Schools. Each service member will teach hands-on garden and cooking lessons in grades 1, 3, and 5 at two elementary schools in the Flint Community Schools. Each school where there is a service member has an established garden. Service members also support a positive cafeteria environment through taste tests and other cafeteria activities. FoodCorps service members are a valuable part of each school’s community and participate in school and community-wide health and wellness activities. Since there are multiple FoodCorps service members in the community, this position requires both effective teamwork and individual initiative. Flint has a strong national service presence, so FoodCorps service members will collaborate often with other AmeriCorps service members during their service. Despite the city?s challenges, Metro Flint boasts popular parks, museums, and entertainment venues. These attractions include: Flint Children? s Museum Applewood Estate Sloan Museum Longway Planetarium Flint Institute of Arts The Whiting (theatre and concert venue) Flint Farmers Market Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad In addition, the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College are among the area’s higher education institutions.

FoodCorps service members at the Crim Fitness Foundation are part of a Michigan cohort that includes 19 service members in 9 communities across the state. FoodCorps service members have the opportunity to take advantage of a state rich in cultural and geographic diversity. We boast urban, suburban, and rural sites with their own unique set of engaging characteristics, as well as thought-provoking challenges. We welcome all to apply for an experience to learn, give back, and grow!