Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty Announces Collaborative Partnership with Cincinnati Children’s HealthWORKS! and Butler Tech Bioscience Program to Combat Childhood Obesity
West Chester, OH – The Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty is proud to announce a dynamic new partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and its HealthWORKS! program, alongside a third collaborative partnership with Butler Tech’s Bioscience program. Together, these organizations are working to reverse the growing trend of childhood obesity while developing the next generation of health professionals.
Through this innovative collaboration, the Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty will replicate CCHMC’s HealthWORKS! program, a nationally recognized, evidence-based exercise and nutritional education programming. Called “Club Fit,” the program will run twice per week for all elementary to high school Club members. The program is designed to increase physical activity, build healthy habits, and empower youth with the tools they need to live healthier lives.
The physical education component relies on active play games, sports, cardiovascular exercises, and body-weight strength and plyometric interval training. Nutritional education will be driving by Registered Dietitians from Cincinnati Children’s, who will conduct quarterly nutritional education sessions utilizing the Cincinnati Children’s HealthWORKS! Healthy Eating Plan curriculum. These interactive sessions – open to youth and their families - will be held at the Club and feature hands-on cooking demonstrations focused on preparing healthy snacks and nutritious lunches—providing practical, real-world skills that youth and families can implement immediately.
Further strengthening the initiative, students enrolled in Butler Tech’s Bioscience program - many of whom are preparing for careers in exercise science, healthcare, sports medicine, nursing, and related fields - will gain valuable training through CCHMC and hands-on experience by assisting Boys & Girls Club staff in delivering Club Fit programming. Under guided supervision, these students will support exercise sessions, help model healthy behaviors, and engage directly with youth participants.
This initiative also works to alleviate challenges for area youth that qualify to get scheduled into HealthWORKS! programming at CCHMC’s Main Campus, many of whom currently have a three-month wait to get to their first class session. The Club will introduce a new HealthWORKS! Program Membership available to youth ages 6–18 for just $10 per month. This affordable membership option is open to community youth who may not currently be Club members but are seeking structured support to become more active and make healthier eating choices. Registration for Program Memberships may be completed online at www.bgcwcl.org beginning Monday, March 2, 2026.
“HealthWorks! promotes healthier eating habits and increased physical activity using a family-centered approach,” said Dr. Robert Siegel, Associate Director of the Center for Better Health and Nutrition and Professor for the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Pediatrics. “This program is designed to meet the needs of patients and their families by helping them set realistic, achievable goals to help them live a healthier lifestyle.”
“This partnership represents a powerful, community-wide approach to improving youth health,” said Damon Knoche, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty. “By combining the medical expertise of Cincinnati Children’s, the educational excellence of Butler Tech, and the trusted youth development environment of our Club, we are not only helping kids build lifelong healthy habits - we are also preparing future healthcare leaders while working to enhance the quality of life for our kids and families for years to come.”
The collaboration creates a sustainable model that supports children, families, and aspiring healthcare professionals alike—making healthy living accessible, affordable, and engaging throughout West Chester and Liberty Township.
For more information about Club Fit or the Club Fit Program Membership, please contact the Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty at 513-860-1923 or visit online at www.bgcwcl.org today.
About Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty
The Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty provides a safe, supportive environment where youth can learn, grow, and thrive through academic support, healthy lifestyle programming, character development, and life and workforce readiness programming.
About Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center – HealthWORKS!
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric healthcare, research, and education. Through its Center for Better Health and Nutrition and HealthWORKS! program, the hospital is committed to reversing childhood obesity by equipping children and families with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to achieve lifelong health.
About Butler Tech Bioscience Program
Butler Tech’s Bioscience program prepares students for careers in health and medical fields through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and real-world clinical exposure, helping students build both technical expertise and professional skills.
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