Former Baltimore Ravens and Friends Support Enchanted Closet’s GIRL$ MOVE! Program

ATLANTA - June 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Atlanta, GA-Kim Conley, a recent transplant from Baltimore who is a Massage Therapist, Healthy Eating Expert, Personal Trainer, and Yoga Instructor, heard the Enchanted Closet President and CEO, Bonita C. Johnson on V-103 radio station speaking about the organization’s mission, and was inspired to call and volunteer her services. “It was perfect timing, said Bonita. We did not have our May program planned, but knew that we wanted the GIRL$ MOVE! Program to expose girls to something new that would peak their interest, aid their self-esteem, and motivate them to focus more on their health.” What the organization did not know was that when Kim volunteers, her friends do also. With Kim came Isatu Bah, an avid runner, Lilian Abdelmalek, Sports Trainer; and Daniel Wilcox, 8-year NFL Retired Veteran and former Baltimore Raven. Kim facilitated the GIRL$ MOVE! Program that covered nutrition, basic exercises, an introduction to yoga, and self-esteem building. Attendees were encouraged to limit sugar, processed and fried foods, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. They were provided a work-out regime and encouraged to spend an hour a day exercising; after all, it’s only 4% of the day. The girls were also encouraged to set three goals and complete at least one before the next program. Girls who do will be provided with prizes. Daniel Wilcox gave the girls a lot to think about as he talked about being oneself, surrounding oneself with people who build you up and not tear you down, and he encouraged the girls to “dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.” Daniel even demonstrated his version of the latest dance-video craze, twerking.

In addition to those who participated in the program, NFL player Ed Reed of the Houston Texans and former Baltimore Raven, showed his support for the girls of metropolitan Atlanta by making a $2500 donation to the Enchanted Closet. The funds he donated will help to support the GIRL$ MOVE! Program and enable the organization to provide yoga mats, medicine balls, and other fitness related supplies to girls participating in the program.

The GIRL$ MOVE! Health and Wellness Program was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Initiative. The goal of the GIRL$ MOVE! Program is to help reduce childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. According to Better Health USA, the percentage of overweight or obese children has doubled over the past 30 years to 25 percent of the under-19 population. A child who is overweight has a greater chance of becoming an overweight adult, putting them at high risk for diabetes, heart problems, cancer, high blood pressure and other serious diseases. The Enchanted Closet aims to provide education, options, and opportunities to help reduce childhood obesity and to promote healthy lifestyles. While the primary target of the program is girls ages 12-19, educational seminars and activities are provided that include their families. The Three Point Focus is on Healthy Eating/Cooking, Healthy Living, and Physical Fitness. All programs are free and open to girls living in the 20 plus metropolitan Atlanta counties. The organization is looking for girls who want to focus on their health and have a personal trainer to assist them. The next program will be on July 13, 2013. Contact the Enchanted Closet at info@enchantedcloset.org for more information.  

About The Enchanted Closet:
The Enchanted Closet is a volunteer-run, private non-profit service organization whose mission is to physically, mentally, and emotionally outfit Metro Atlanta high school girls from primarily low-income families through programs that prepare them for social and professional milestones. Established in 2003 to distribute prom dresses to girls in metropolitan Atlanta, the organization has provided over 4000 dresses. The Enchanted Closet also offers a GIRL$™ Service-Learning Program throughout the year to increase the self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency of girls. For more information, visit the Enchanted Closet web site at http://www.enchantedcloset.org