Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play

The New York State Department of Health has awarded a $262,500 competitive grant application submitted by Seven Valleys Health Coalition. The non-profit agency will work to implement sustainable policy, systems and environmental changes over a 5 year time period in an effort to prevent chronic disease.

The approach emphasizes supportive environments and population-wide efforts that accelerate improvements in individual health behaviors and health outcomes with the prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity as the primary targets.

Collaboration on health initiatives already exists through the Healthy NOW coalition and grant funding will allow partners to expand their efforts through five strategies:

1) Establish and promote the use of neighborhood and community trails

2) Transportation policies that ensure streets are safe & accessible for all users

3) Creation of community gardens

4) Innovative strategies to promote a Cortland County Bounty Program and year round indoor farmers’ market

5) Enhance variety and visibility of fruits and vegetables in convenience stores and small stores.

For more details see Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play Grant.

 

Projects and Events We've Initiated

Fresh from the Farm

HealthyNOW worked with Little York Farm to provide an opportunity to access free-range eggs, local pasture raised beef, whole grain breads, granola bars, semi-soft cheese, honey, syrup and more in the late winter months before the farm markets are open.

Workshop for Gardeners

In April, HealthyNOW sponsored a workshop packed with information to help folks get a garden started, tips on how to control some common pests and invasive plants and provided information on canning and freezing so the harvest could be preserved for those cold months.

Container Gardening

Workshops were held at the local senior high-rise and the Harford senior center to provide hands on guidance on how to create container gardens for those folks living in areas with limited space. A brochure was also created with container garden tips and ideas.

Lehigh Valley Trail

HealthyNOW, with support from the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant, collaborated with Lime Hollow to spruce up the neighborhood park in Lamont Circle and clear a connector trail from the park to Lime Hollow’s network of trails. The Lehigh is an old railroad bed and the trail, made with all natural ingredients, provides an opportunity for folks to walk right out their front door and access a trail.

HealthyNOW for Teens

The YMCA in partnership with several local groups works with HealthyNOW to offer a program for teens to improve healthy choices, self-esteem and work on goals to maintain a healthy weight. Programs follow the school semesters and start in September, January and July.