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NFL Community Initiatives and Staff
The Nutrition & Fitness for Life Program’s community branch aims to build the capacity of communities to support Boston youth and families in developing healthier lifestyles. To do so, the Program develops and implements community-based nutrition education and fitness programming for children and families; develops and hosts workshops, conferences, and seminars for health professionals and area youth workers; and advocates for positive environmental changes and health policies.
Staff
Director of Community Initiatives
Vivien Morris, MS, RD, MPH, LDN
617-414-6878
Vivien Morris is the Director of Community Initiatives for the NFL program. She oversees nutrition education and fitness programs and projects to improve access to healthy, affordable foods and physical activity in under-served communities. Vivien is a clinical dietitian with 20 years experience in counseling pediatric patients and their families. She was raised in North Carolina and graduated with honors from Harvard College with majors in African American and Afro-Latin Studies. She completed her graduate degree in nutrition at Framingham State College and her dietetic internship at Boston Medical Center. She also completed a graduate degree in Maternal and Child Health at the Boston University School of Public Health, where she subsequently received the Alumni Award for outstanding service. Vivien is the former director of the Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Weight, a statewide coalition focusing on obesity prevention and treatment. Vivien has received numerous awards for community service and for her professional work. She is a wife and mother and enjoys reading, gardening and long walks.
Program Coordinator, FANtastic Kids
Julie Vanier Rollins, MA
617-414-6879
Julie serves as the Program Coordinator for the FANtastic Kids Fitness and Nutrition Program. She is originally from Ontario, Canada and has lived in Boston since 2002. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario in 1999 and a Masters degree in Sport Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 2002. Prior to joining the NFL team, Julie was an Urban Youth Sports’ Sports Health Coordinator at the Bowdoin Street Health Center while working with Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society. Julie brings 15 years of youth development experience with an emphasis on coaching, mentoring and academic support. Currently, she serves as the Co-chair for the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness Youth and Families Committee.
Youth Development Specialist
Julie Thayer, MS, MPH
617-414-4542
As the Youth Development Specialist, Julie aims to sharpen the leadership and critical thinking skills of the program’s peer leaders through food- and fitness-related projects. She also serves as Project Manager for the Real Cost of a Healthy Diet, a BMC initiative that examines the affordability and availability of healthy foods in Boston and Philadelphia neighborhoods and advocates for increased funding for the Food Stamp Program. Julie was raised in Wisconsin and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Studies. She graduated from Tufts University with a Masters degree in Nutrition Science and Policy from the Friedman School (Agriculture, Food, and Environment program) and a Masters degree in Public Health. She works toward increasing access to healthy food in Boston by organizing a farmers’ market at BMC and co-chairing the Youth & Families Committee of the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness. Julie enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and exploring Boston’s green spaces with her partner and their dog.
Project Evaluator
John Cook, PhD
617-414-5129
Research Assistant
Amaru J. Sanchez, BS
Amaru Sanchez serves as a Research Assistant for the FANtastic Kids Fitness and Nutrition Program. He is originally from Granada, Nicaragua, but has lived in Miami, Florida for most of his life. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Integrative Biology from the University of Florida in 2006 and is currently a graduate student at Boston University School of Public Health as a Social and Behavioral Sciences concentrator. Prior to working with the NFL team, Amaru served as medical assistant in a low income Latino/Hispanic community in Miami Florida. Amaru’s public health interests include: social injustices/inequalities, cultural competency, public health advocacy, and social epidemiology.
Programs and Initiatives
FANtastic Kids Fitness and Nutrition Program
FANtastic Kids is a FREE after school fitness and nutrition program which combines fun, interactive nutrition games, healthy snacks, gym, and pool based physical activities for kids 8-12 who struggle with staying active and eating healthy.
Youth Development Program for Peer Leaders
The youth development program supports young people ages 16-18 to become educated community leaders in the areas of physical fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Corner Store Initiative
Middle schools and nearby convenience stores partnered to reduce the consumption of sugary beverages and increase the consumption of healthy beverages.
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition
Promotes a healthy living environment, with a focus on access to healthy foods and the promotion of physical fitness for all ages.
Partners and Collaborators
New Balance Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
General Mills Foundation
DotWell
Mattapan Community Health Center
Greater Boston YMCA
Roxbury Family YMCA
Dorchester Family YMCA
 
 
 
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