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Our mission is to inspire and equip youth to develop healthy, responsible lifestyles and become successful community leaders.


We fulfill our mission by assisting youth in developing strong emotional foundations and strength of character that embody these core values:

  • Pursuit of excellence
  • Self determination
  • Disciplne
  • Servant leadership
  • Personal empowerment
  • Community Building


YDS’s initiative was inspired, because of and to address the national youth health and obesity epidemic in areas populated by underprivileged youth and other youth at risk.   According to the Center for Disease Control and other health organizations many children are suffering from obesity-related conditions – asthma, diabetes, mental health, and other health issues – that seriously impact their ability  to learn and to succeed in school.  They have determined that the roots of obesity are multi-faceted and often relate to many aspects of a youth’s life:  lack of opportunities or safe places for activity and higher cost of healthy foods.

Our Major Goals Are:
 

  • To provide high quality health, wellness and nutrition education and comprehensive, programs designed to help youth’s and their families to combat and prevent obesity and obesity related health diseases that seriously impact their lives and the ability to learn and succeed in school.
  • To lead community efforts in addressing the complex social, behavioral and institutional issues that impacts the health and wellness of our youth, families and communities.
  • To provide high quality fitness programs and fitness educational support services that combats sedentary life styles and that equips youth to excel in life by developing fit bodies and that promotes an active lifestyle.
  • To provide effective leadership and life skills programs to develop essential personal empowerment behaviors, useful lifestyle tools, self-confidence, determination and compassion that will be needed to become a successful adult and community leader.

PROGRAMS:

1. KIDS 4 HEALTH
A year-round youth health and wellness program to be launched Spring 2009.

2. YOUTH LEADERS OF CHANGE
YDS encourages our youth to to be strong community stewards through leadership and volunteer activities.

3. TRACK MINNESOTA ELITE
Our youth track & field athletic program combines competitive athletics with the development of healthy and fit bodies, strong characters and Nutrition.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Committed to serving youth and families since 1999, Youth Determined to Succeed (YDS), a 501(c)3 nonprofit formerly known as Track Minnesota founded by former Gopher and Pittsburgh Steelers Melvin Anderson. Over the past decade YDS, has helped hundreds of children and youth through a variety of programs and services in the areas of obesity-prevention and treatment, general nutrition, health and wellness and fitness training. With a volunteer staff of health professionals, trainers and parents, our youth learn healthy lifestyles and develop essential health and behavioral skills to become successful and productive adults.