Former State Legislator Tony Mendoza Joins Activate Hawaiian Gardens

Online, February 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Former California State Assembly member and local educator Tony Mendoza has been appointed Senior Project Advisor for Activate Hawaiian Gardens, a landmark childhood obesity education and wellness initiative.

A member of the Assembly for the last six years, Mendoza recently termed out of his legislative post. Before his sojourn to Sacramento, Mendoza served as a City Council member and as Mayor of Artesia, where he and his family still reside.

"Health and education are areas I hold dear to my heart as a parent, a former member of the legislature and as a classroom teacher," Mendoza said. "Activate Hawaiian Gardens is unique in its approach, and could be a national model for addressing childhood obesity in high-risk minority communities."

Mendoza's experience as a leading member of the State Assembly as well as a classroom teacher in elementary schools will be a valued addition to the health and wellness program, according to officials from Tri-City Regional Medical Center, which is funding and leading the program.

"We are very excited about Tony's contributions to Activate Hawaiian Gardens," said Alexander Khananashvili, wellness program coordinator for Tri-City Regional Medical Center who created the effort after spending more than two years researching the country's best practices and scientific evidence to address childhood obesity. "His grass-roots experience in the community is unparalleled and his passion for a healthier community is without reproach."

Mendoza is advising the program on educational and community outreach and fund development, added Khananashvili.

Activate Hawaiian Gardens launched its multi-year program recently, with about 300 kindergarten students being studied as a benchmark measurement for the program. In partnership with Tri-City Regional Medical Center, ABC Unified School District and the City of Hawaiian Gardens, the program will also begin teaching parents about obesity-reducing tactics in the coming weeks.

For more information about Activate Hawaiian Gardens, please visit www.tcrmc.org.