Keep up with important news and topics important to keeping our kids happy and healthy.
2025 Media Coverage
- Rochester students celebrate Global School Play Day with activities and games - 13 WHAM, February 5
- Healthi Kids Brings 2nd Annual International Play Event to the RCSD - RCSD, February 5
2024 Media Coverage
- New Healthi Kids campaign urges parents to bond with children early - WXXI News, December 20
- Rochester neighborhood creating safe space for kids to play - Spectrum News 1, March 22
- Photovoz: Picturing Play - The Strong National Museum of Play, February 9
- Healthi Kids Brings International Play Event to the Rochester City School District - Rochester City School District, February 7
- Global School Day of Play encourages healthy, unstructured playtime for kids - 13 WHAM, February 7
- Healthi Kids brings international play event to City of Rochester on February 7 - Minority Reporter, February 6
2023 Media Coverage
- Thousands more Monroe County children will get free school lunches this year - Democrat & Chronicle, August 28
- Empowering children through play: Rochester's 'Healthi Kids' summit highlights benefits of playful learning - WHAM, August 21
- Rochester Board of Education VP Beatriz LeBron to head North Clinton advocacy center - WXXI, March 8
2022 Media Coverage
- New report highlights the importance of play in the Rochester City School District - Rochester First, October 14
- Promoting "Playful Learning" at RCSD - Fox Rochester, October 14
- Not all RCSD students can access playful learning - report says - Rochester Beacon, September 5
- PlayROCs Your Neighborhood Returns - WDKX, August 7
- Agency readies for next healthy play day - Rochester Business Journal, August 4
- Fifth #PlayROCs Your Neighborhood event to happen in Rochester - 8 WROC, August 3
- #PlayROCs Your Neighborhood and how to create safe and accessible play spaces for kids - WXXI Connections, August 3
- How bad is the baby formula shortage? A Rochester mom had to get help from her international family - WXXI News, June 3
- Parents Urged to Get Children Under 5 Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Common Ground Health, June 28
- Street Makeover continues to improve Rochester's safety - 13WHAM, May 14, 2022
- Neighborhood intersection gets a "Complete Street Makeover" to improve safety and access for all—Common Ground Health, May 14
- More children need to get vaccinated against Covid-19—Common Ground Health, March 10
- Local organization helping refugees in Rochester build child care businesses –Rochester First, March 8
- RIT/NTID offering in-person summer programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing middle school and high school students—RIT, March 8
- Children’s Agenda survey highlights struggles parents face in Monroe County—WXXI News, March 9
- Rochester pediatricians seeing more colds, stomach bug in schools, day care—13 WHAM, March 9
- 36% rise locally I eating disorders among children, adolescents during pandemic – Rochester First, February 21
- URMC medical students create basketball program to reach Rochester's youth ;– Rochester First, January 20
- Transporting Our Tiniest Patients – University of Rochester, January 19
- Golden Apple: Congratulations to Gym Teacher Phil LaPietra - Rochester First, January 18
- Shoveling or sledding, ROC residents make most of first big snowfall of the year – Spectrum News, January 17
- Boosters for kids: Monroe County offering 3rd vaccine doses for residents 12-15 - Rochester First, January 14
2021 Media Coverage
- Kids in Rochester surprised with new bicycles - Rochester First, December 25, 2021
- Bringing technology home for the holidays – Spectrum News, December 21
- TikTok school threats prompt call for parents to talk to kids: Here’s how - Rochester First, December 16
- New Rochester day care helps parents fill child care gaps – Spectrum News, December 1
- Operation FIRE set to bring support to RCSD students, staff – 13 WHAM, November 20
- Under 15% of 5 to 11-year-olds in New York are fully vaccinated – Rochester First, November 18
- Lincoln library gives away grab-and-go art bags for kids – 13 WHAM, November 18
- Child safety zone law expansion signed by Governor Hochul – Rochester First, November 18
- COVID vaccine trials happening locally for children under 5: ‘It’s looking quite positive’ – Rochester First, November 16
- Rochester vaccination site administering vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 – CITY News, November 15
- Kids' mental health declared national emergency - Rochester First, October 26
- Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge finds success by centering residents - Public Health Newswire, October 26, 2021
- Rochester pediatric clinic preps to vaccinate ages 5-11 - Rochester First, October 22
- PTA survey says parents concerned with kids unhealthy eating habits during pandemic - Rochester First, October 7
- How Play Everywhere Design Challenge Winners Get Kids Moving in Unconventional Ways - Kaboom, September 2021
- US has enough COVID-19 vaccines for boosters, kids' shots - Rochester First, September 26, 2021
- Community members, government look for creative solutions to busing problem - September 23, 2021
- 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' tells fans to 'check out' book by 5-year-old Rochester girl - Democrat and Chronicle, September 21, 2021
- Pandemic led to 'alarming' increase in obesity in kids, study finds - Rochester First, September 18, 2021
- It's a great time to become a Scout- Rochester First, September 14, 2021
- Number of COVID cases in kids remains steady in Rochester region- Fox Rochester, September 9, 2021
- Managing Anxiety Going Back to School - University of Rochester, September 7, 2021
- City extends R Center hours to help with busing crisis - 13 WHAM - September 6, 2021
- The Ripple: A playful intervention - Modern Green Structures & Architecture - India - July 2021
- How resident-led advocacy in Rochester is creating a more playful city - June 10, 2021 - Brookings Institute's Placemaking Postcard Series
- Connections: Discussing Rochester's Proposed Food Policy Council - June 1, 2021
- Connections: FLX Teens Are Alright - May 27, 2021
- Ripple: intervenção que conecta as pessoas – Brazil ARQXP
- A playable public installation”Ripple” in the Rochester, NY – ADF Webmagazine Japan
- Ripple Installation / The Urban Conga - Arch Daily
- The Ripple Video – The Urban Conga
- Ripple: City of Rochester officials unveil latest extension to Downtown Play Walk - May 5, 2021 (Rochester First)
- New Play Walk sidewalk trail inspired by Genesee River - May 5, 2021 (13 WHAM)
- RCSD and Foodlink expanding meal options for students - May 5, 2021 (Spectrum News)
- RCSD, City, local nonprofits continue efforts to provide meals to children - May 5, 2021 (Rochester First)
- New Food Policy Council looking to drain Rochester's 'food swamp' - April 30, 2021 (CITY Newspaper)
- NY Health Information Exchange Strives to Mitigate Childhood Obesity - April 1, 2021 (EHR Intelligence)
2020 Media Coverage
- Group Wants More Walkable Neighborhoods in Rochester - December 28, 2020 (In Good Health)
- Play Everywhere Is Turning Sidewalks and Streets Into Playgrounds - October 14, 2020 (Goric)
- Rochester to Continue to Provide Free Meals for Children - September 7, 2020 (Patch)
- Rochester community members hold forum to explore healthier food policies - August 31, 2020 (Campus Times)
- Groups Discuss Bringing a Food Policy Council to Rochester - August 26, 2020 (Spectrum News)
- Rochester seeks ideas for new citizen-led food policy council - August 5, 2020 (WXXI News)
- $100K grant aims to advance health equity in Rochester - August 4, 2020 (Rochester First)
- Regional task force helps guide school reopening plans - July 31, 2020 (Rochester Beacon)
- Overcoming challenges resulting from COVID-19: New York State's Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Iniatiative - July 9, 2020 (Preventing Chronic Disease: CDC)
- Grab-and-go summer meals in Rochester - July 9, 2020 (Rochester First)
- Bright spot: Play time - July 7, 2020 (13-WHAM)
- Summer Meals kicks off with free grab-and-go meals and mobile units - July 1, 2020 (Rochester First)
- Foodlink, City of Rochester continuing food distribution efforts this summer - July 1, 2020 (Fox Rochester)
- In New York, hundreds of 3-year-olds with disabilities are on the brink of losing services - June 25, 2020 (The Chronicle of Social Change)
- Foodlink makes changes to Summer Meal Program - June 25, 2020 (Spectrum News)
- Summer Meals program to be expanded - June 25, 2020 (Rochester Business Journal)
- Rochester's Recreation & Youth Services Partners with Healthi Kids to Provide At-Home Play Kits for Children - May 4, 2020 (Genesee Sun)
2019 Media Coverage
- Connections: Meeting several of CITY Newspaper's "Rochester 10" - December 27, 2019 (WXXI News)
- Rochester 10: Jenn Beideman - December 25, 2019 (CITY Newspaper)
- 'Architecture of play' plays out across streets and structures of Rochester - November 13, 2019 (Rochester Business Journal)
- Street makeover aims to protect, beautify N. Clinton neighborhood - November 12, 2019 (El Mensajero)
- Rochester Mayor Cuts Ribbon on Downtown Play Walk - October 28, 2019 (Patch)
- The City of Rochester inaugurates a new PlayWalk in downtown - October 25, 2019 (RBC)
- New PlayWalk opens between Strong Museum, library - October 24, 2019 (13-WHAM)
- 'Play Walk opens between MLK Park and Central Library - October 24, 2019 (WXXI News)
- Play Walk to open with 'Lights on Afterschool' event - Ocober 24, 2019 (Rochester Business Journal)
- New trail connecting the Strong with Central Library - October 23, 2019 (Rochester Business Journal)
- ROC the Future, Common Ground Health to build community playground - October 22, 2019 (Rochester Business Journal)
- North Clinton Avenue neighborhood gets a new look - September 30, 2019 (WXXI News)
- Community members give North Clinton Ave a makeover - September 29, 2019 (Spectrum News)
- Community helps with makeover of North Clinton Ave - September 29, 2019 (13 WHAM)
- Connections: "Bridging Silos" - September 25, 2019 (WXXI News)
- La Avenida Gets Facelift to Help Drivers, Walkers, Bikers Share Road - September 12, 2019 (La Voz)
- Group urges drivers to slow down - August 26, 2019 (WROC 8)
- Promoting play in Rochester - August 20, 2019 (WROC 8)
- The scooters are coming, eventually - August 14, 2019 (CITY Newspaper)
- Plan for spontaneity - August 14, 2019 (The Urban Phoenix)
- Streets shut down for PlayROCs Play Streets - August 13, 2019 (WROC 8)
- Creative crosswalks meet government resistance - July 16, 2019 (NPR)
- City neighborhoods celebrate play - July 14, 2019 (13 WHAM)
- PlayROCs Your Neighborhood - July 13, 2019 (Spectrum News)
- Devoted to getting kids active - July 11, 2019 (Minority Reporter)
- 4th Annual PlayROCs Your Neighborhood - July 11, 2019 (Fox Rochester)
- Summer Meals Roc expects to serve more than 300,000 free meals to kids in the next two months - July 4, 2019 (WXXI News)
- North Clinton block will get a redesign - July 3, 2019 (City Newspaper)
- Food left on table as fewer students take advantage of free summer meals - July 2, 2019 (Minority Reporter)
- Colorful intersections and engaging sidewalks lead to safer intersections - June 29, 2019 (WXXI News)
- WXXI's Need to Know: The Awesome Foundation (starts at 16:30) - June 27, 2019 (WXXI News)
- Families learn about Rochester's free Summer Meals program - June 17, 2019 (Monroe County Post)
- Summer presents a challenge for families who struggle to access healthy meals - June 14, 2019 (Democrat & Chronicle)
- El Camino corner is getting a makeover - June 6, 2019 (WXXI News)
- Reconnect Rochester's Complete Streets Makeover Project - June 4, 2019 (Spectrum News)
- Complete Streets Makeover Winner announced - June 3, 2019 (Rochester Business Journal)
- News 8 Cameron Ministries Peace Walk - May 31, 2019 (WROC-8)
- Rochester children take part in annual peace walk - May 30, 2019 (13-WHAM)
- 7th Annual Children's Peace Walk- May 30, 2019 (WROC-8)
- Taking a stand for peace and a safe neighborhood - May 30, 2019 (Rochester Beacon)
- Peace Walk returning to Lyell/Otis neighborhood - May 30, 2019 (Fox Rochester)
- Children to address violence in annual Peace Walk - May 30, 2019 (Rochester Business Journal)
- Children march so they can play in safe neighborhood – May 29, 2019 (Minority Reporter)
- Young Voices: "We Want Peace in our Neighborhood" - May 25, 2019 (Democrat & Chronicle)
- More Than Isms Podcast: Active Transportation Summit, Community Health, health equity, health outcomes and more. - May 24, 2019 (WXIR 100.9)
- 'Walk Audit' Highlights Active Transportation in Rochester - May 24, 2019 (WXXI)
- Connections: Discussing Rochester's bike lane problem, and the benefits of active transportation - May 17, 2019 (WXXI)
- Well Campaign draws NY State Senators and Assembly Members in Albany – May 15, 2019 (Columbia University)
- Rochester has a bike lane problem – May 10, 2019 (WXXI)
- Seventh annual peace walk - Cameron Community Ministries and Healthi Kids - May 9, 2019 (KidsOutandAbout.com)
- Well campaign focuses attention on healthy school lunch – April 5, 2019 (Bronx Times Reporter)
- Connections: Reshaping Rochester – “Creating Healthy and Vibrant Cities for All” – Jan. 28, 2019 (WXXI)
- Plans for “Play Walk” in the works as part of the ROC the Riverway initiative – Jan. 16, 2019 (13 WHAM)
2018 Media Coverage
- Info session to cover youth grant application process - Daily Messenger (Nov. 2018)
- Making Rochester a Safer Community for Road Users - In Good Health (Nov. 2018)
- Coalition Launches Campaign to Make Roads Safer for Bikes, Cars & Pedestrians - The Wedge (Oct./Nov. 2018)
- Coalition launches campaign to make Rochester roads safer - The Monroe County Post (Oct. 2018)
- A healthy Rochester is more than great health care - Rochester Beacon (Oct. 2018)
- Beechwood's bump in the road - CITY Newspaper (Sept. 2018)
- Neighbors plan slowdown on Parsells Avenue - Rochester Business Journal (Sept. 2018)
- Rochester intersection receives makeover - WROC TV (Sept. 2018)
- Community project hopes to make intersection at Parsells and Greeley safer for pedestrians - WXXI News - (Sept. 2018)
- Beechwood Neighborhood intersection gets a makeover to make it safer - 13 WHAM (Sept. 2018)
- Neighborhood intersection undergoes makeover - The Monroe County Post (Sept. 2018)
- City adding 'play' to project list - City Newspaper (Aug. 2018)
- Pilot program gives kids safe place to play - Rochester Business Journal (Aug. 2018)
- Creating safe neighborhoods - City Newspaper (Aug. 2018)
- Neighborhoods make playing on the street safer for kids - Spectrum News (Aug. 2018)
- Streets shut down to bring Rochester kids out to play - 13 WHAM (Aug. 2018)
- PlayROCs Your Neighborhood celebrates 3 years of play - WXXI News (July 2018)
- Third annual PlayROCs event - WROC TV Rochester (July 2018)
- Spaces created for kids to play safely - Spectrum News (July 2018)
- The Health of our Children with Jenn Beideman, MPA - The Urban Phoenix podcast (July 2018)
- Traffic safety campaign aims to get drivers' attention - WXXI News (July 2018)
- Lower speed limits to create safer streets - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (July 2018)
- Connections: How to make streets safer for neighborhood kids - WXXI News show (June 2018)
- Good Day Rochester: RCSD School No. 29 celebrates inclusion - FOX Rochester (June 2018)
- Cameron After School Program hosts 6th annual Peace Walk - 13 WHAM (June 2018)
- After tragedy, children walk for peace and safer neighborhoods - Spectrum News (June 2018)
- Over 1000 ride with Bike to School Day - Rochester Cycling Alliance blog (May 2018)
- Foodlink, City sponsor event on summer meals for kids - Rochester Business Journal (May 2018)
2017 Media Coverage
- Causewave features Summer Meals Program - Causewave (December 2017)
- Group pushes for 25 mph limit on city streets - WXXI (November 2017)
- Group wants city to lower speed limits - City Newspaper (November 2017)
- Equity Starts with Engaging Communities - National Physical Activity Society blog (November 2017)
- Common Ground Health leaders of the Healthi Kids initiative were interviewed on CityWise - CityWise (October 2017)
- Healthi Kids, PLTI Release Results of Candidate Questionnaires in Advance of Primary Day - Minority Reporter (September 2017)
- Rochester Neighborhoods Shut Down Streets for Play - WXXI (August 2017)
- Street Serves as Zumba Studio and So Much More for Kids - Spectrum News (August 2017)
- Streets Shut Down to Provide a Safe Place for Kids to Play - WROC 8 (August 2017)
- Bike Fatalities Increase; Adults More Likely to be Victims - WXXI (August 2017)
- Summer Meals Program Expanding Reach with More Locations - Monroe Post (August 2017)
- Rochester Summer Meals Program Takes Their Show on the Road - Spectrum News (August 2017)
- Fight Against Obesity Continues During Summer Break - D&C (August 2017)
- Pop Up Play Areas Raise Awareness for Space Play Spaces - WXXI (July 2017)
- PlayROCs your Neighborhood Hosts Pop Up Play Days - WROC 8 (July 2017)
- Healthi Kids to Host PlayROCs your Neighborhood 2017 - Rochester LaVoz (July 2017)
- Communities Create Safe and Accessible Play Spaces at PlayROCs your Neighborhood 2017 - Minority Reporter (July 2017)
- Kids: PlayROCs - Rochester City News (July 2017)
- Healthi Kids to Host 2017 PlayROCs your Neighborhood Event - Minority Reporter (July 2017)
- Kids Play, Parcel 5 Keys to Downtown Health - D&C (July 2017)
- Everyday Trauma Reshapes Rochester Schools' Approach to Teaching & Suspension - D&C (July 2017)
- Students Get Early Taste of Summer - 13 WHAM (June 2017)
- How One Local School is Tackling Childhood Obesity - WROC 8 (June 2017)
- Bright Spot: Story Walk - 13 WHAM (June 2017)
- Story Walk Unveiled at Phillis Wheatley Community Library - Good Day Rochester (June 2017)
- What Rochester and Greece are Doing to Become More Playful - D&C (June 2017)
- Thumbs Up Thumbs Down - Play in the City of Rochester - D&C (June 2017)
- Children, Others March for Peace in their Neighborhoods - El Mensajero (June 2017)
- Kids March in 5th Annual Peace Walk - The Post (May 2017)
- Community Paint Day at Phillis Wheatley Community Library - Minority Reporter (May 2017)
- We Must Become a Healthy City - D&C (March 2017)
- Why Don't More NY Students Eat Breakfast - D&C (March 2017)
- City Paves the Way for Play in Neighborhoods - The Wedge (February/March 2017)
- Connections: Understanding SNAP and Healthy Food Access - WXXI (January 2017)
2016 Articles
- Play Works for Rochester - Playworks (December 2016)
- Bike Friendly Community 2016: Rochester, New York - League of American Bicyclists (Fall 2016)
- Parents Push for more Playgrounds in City's Comprehensive Plan - WROC (November 2016)
- A Playful Road to Progress - D&C (November 2016)
- Sixth Annual Reshaping Rochester Awards Presented - RBJ (November 2016)
- Parents and Kids Upping the Ante on School Meals - The Wedge (October/November 2016)
- A simple success and applause for Edison Tech Student - D&C (October 2016)
- Re:Main Social Highlights Potential of Downtown - D&C (October 2016)
- Event Aims to Re-Imagine Rochester Main Street - TWC (October 2016)
- How Good Eating Can Affect Good Grades - D&C (September 2016)
- Healthi Kids' Phillis Wheatley Project Receives National Funding - The Post (September 2016)
- PARKing Day Let's Make Public Spaces More Playable - TWC (September 2016)
- Local Effort Raises Hope for School Lunches - D&C (August 2016)
- Finalist named for Reshaping Rochester Awards - RBJ (August 2016)
- #PlayROCs Comes to the South Wedge - The Wedge (August/September 2016)
- Healthi Kids have a Play Day with Rochester - WROC (July 2016)
- Healthi Kids Coordinates Free Play Day - 13 WHAM (July 2016)
- Partnering to Feed Youth - Democrat and Chronicle (July 2016)
- Children Not at Play: 6 Ways to Add Needed Outdoor Fun - D&C (July 2016)
- Imagine City Design that Puts Kids First - The Wedge (June/July 2016)
- City's Summer Meals Program Starts - WROC (June 2016)
- City Design that Puts Kids First - Charlotte Community News (June 2016)
- Free Meals Available to City Students - El Mensajero Catolico (June 2016)
- Extraordinary People: All Pro Dads - WROC (June 2016)
- Rochester, New York: A Playful City USA - WXXI (May 2016)
- Rochester Among 30 Named As "Playful City" - TWC (May 2016)
- Summer Meals Fest Held at Frontier Field - 13 WHAM News (May 2016)
- Combating Summer Hunger for Rochester's Students One Bite at a Time - TWC (May 2016)
- Health Checkup: Keep Kids Active, Learning in the Summer - D&C (April 2016)
- Childhood Obesity in Rochester's Food Swamp - Open Mic Roc (March 2016)
- New Healthy Options Added to Menu at RCSD Schools - 13 WHAM News (March 2016)
- What's in a School Lunch and Who's Eating - D&C (March 2016)
- Health Checkup: The Importance of Year Round Play - D&C (February 2016)
- Rochester Teens Map their Future - D&C (February 2016)
- Rochester Schools Ban Recess as a Form of Punishment - Salud America (February 2016)
- Fighting Childhood Obesity - 585 Magazine (January 2016)
- Rochester Programs Fight Childhood Obesity - Hidden Gems Blog (January 2016)
2015 Articles
- Ask a Youth Worker: When Was the Last Time You Felt You Made a Difference? - Youth Today (December 2015)
- Recess is Important Education - Democrat and Chronicle (November 2015)
- Invest in Child Nutrition - Democrat and Chronicle (October 2015)
- International Walk to School Day - WROC News 8 (October 2015)
- 15th Annual International Walk to School Day - Time Warner Cable News (October 2015)
- Effort Encourages Kids to Walk to School - WXXI (October 2015)
- Resource-full Reader for Out of School Time Programs features Healthi Kids Toolkit - Resource-Full Reader Newsletter (October 2015)
- Pop Up Parks Create Parking Lot Party - WROC News 8 (September 2015)
- Park(ing) Day Brings Pop Up Playground to Downtown Library - The Wedge (October/November 2015)
- On Park(ing) Day Empty Lots Transform - Democrat and Chronicle (September 2015)
- Health Group Says Students Need More Playtime - Time Warner Cable News (September 2015)
- Summer Meals Program Targets City Kids - WXXI (July 2015)
2014 Articles
- Community Store Opens on Jay Street Offering Healthier Fare - WXXI News (January 20, 2014)
- Advocate for Healthy Kids - Democrat and Chronicle (September 13, 2014)
- Programs at city schools connect kids with healthy choices - Democrat and Chronicle (February 2014)