NAC Owner Launches 'Kids Lives Matter' Group

NEWTOWN, PA — A new volunteer group called "Kids Lives Matter" has been founded by the owner of the Newtown Athletic Club in an effort to improve the lives of local children.

The new initiative is aimed to offer "a clearing house of programming and services for the youth of our community to support them in the areas of mental health, education, sociability, recreation, sports and more," an announcement about its formation said.

The formation of the group comes months into the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused the widespread closure of schools and recreational opportunities for children.

"We cannot allow children to be marginalized during this time. We must advocate for their wellbeing at every level of community, society and government," said Kids Lives Matter founder and NAC owner Jim Worthington. The group is dedicated to the safety and health of kids of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, he noted.

Worthington, a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, said he was inspired to take action after speaking with "countless members" of the community as well as educators and experts from across the nation.

According to the announcement, Kids Lives Matter is currently forming a group of volunteers to offer and organize resources to help kids and parents navigate needed services, including mental health, education, social, sports, and more.

"These volunteers will work under the umbrella of KLM as the group develops a strong foundation in the community," the announcement said.

You can learn more at the organization's Facebook page.

“Our hope is that the community will share this initiative with everyone so that we can make this organization a template to be shared across the region and the nation,” said Linda Mitchell, Director of Public and Government Relations at the NAC and head organizer for Kids Lives Matter.