What We Are

Jovenes SANOS, a project of Go For Health!, is a Watsonville based youth advocacy project. Jovenes SANOS's goals are to increase opportunities for healthy eating and regular physical activity for Watsonville youth. Jovenes SANOS finished its 6 month planning phase in Spring of 2006. The program entered implementation in Fall 2006 with the recruitment of more Watsonville high school aged youth. The youth were then divided up into advocate groups.

Youth Advocate Groups:

Apart from their specific responsibilites, all groups will seek out a neighborhood association to join and bring forth GFH/JS goals at their meetings as well as encourage recruitment of new members.

Media/PR: Responsibilities include writing reports, print media (including OpEds, Letters to the Editor and posters), outreach to television and radio for PSAs, public relations activities.  Skills needed are good public speaking & writing skills.

School Wellness: Responsibilities will include working with school boards and school wellness councils to address school nutrition and education  goals.  Skills needed are ability to communicate effectively with adults and ability to work with people at different levels of authority.

Food Industry/Commerce: Responsibilities will include working with food industry and chamber of commerce leaders in order to bring change to market structure.  Skills needed are knowledge of existing market structure and effective communication skills.

Health Policy: Responsibilities will include gaining a knowledge and expertise in implications of childhood obesity as well as local access to nutritious food and hunger prevention, participation in legislative activities including lobbying at state and local levels, writing policy statements and letters, and connecting to legislative leaders. Skills needed are strong research skills including internet skills and writing skills, as well as strong communication skills.

Land Use Advocates: Responsibilities include working closely with Watsonville government officials to advocate for land use change and implementation of GFH! recommendations within the General Plan .  Skills needed are ability to communicate effectively with adults and interest in local current events.