Regional YMCA Awarded Grant for Community Health Initiative

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut was selected by YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) to participate in Action Communities for Health, Innovation and EnVironmental changE (ACHIEVE) — an effort that will help make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents of the Greater Danbury communities.   

ACHIEVE is part of the YMCA’s Healthier Communities Initiatives, which focus on making policy and environmental changes that support healthy lifestyles. They are built on the concept that local communities can work together to give all community members healthy choices. Through grants awarded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 26 communities have been chosen to either begin the process of convening local teams of community leaders, or expand their current work to reach the most vulnerable populations in their communities.  

The Western CT YMCA applied for this program and was selected after a competitive review process. 

“The Y is dedicated to strengthening community,” said head of member wellness at Brookfield’s Greenknoll branch Maureen Farrell.  “Participating in ACHIEVE will help our families, friends and neighbors live their lives to the fullest potential. We are honored to be selected to be part of the growing movement of communities who are leading healthy change through policy strategies.”

Ys engaged in Healthier Communities Initiatives are helping families put nutritious food on the table by bringing farmers markets with fresh fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods where healthy food options are scarce; making streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists through “complete streets” plans; giving parents peace of mind when they let their kids walk to school by creating safer routes; and keeping a generation of kids healthier by working with schools to increase physical education and physical activity during the school day. These examples are just the beginning.

Ten communities have been selected this year to join the ACHIEVE program. Launched in 2008 to prevent chronic diseases and related risk factors, along with the CDC the program has partnerships with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Society for Public Health Education and Y-USA.

Communities involved in the YMCA’s Healthier Communities Initiatives form leadership teams that work together to plan and implement policy, systems and environmental change strategies that encourage good health and afford opportunities for community members to become healthier.

Click here for more information about the YMCA’s Healthier Communities Initiatives visit.

YMCAs selected to join ACHIEVE:

• YMCA of Greater Whittier — Whittier, Calif.
• Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Inc. — Greater Danbury, Conn.
• Florida’s First Coast YMCA – Metropolitan — Jacksonville, Fla.
• Metropolitan Augusta YMCA — Augusta, Ga.
• Hopkinsville/Christian County Family YMCA — Hopkinsville, Ky.
• Concord Family YMCA — Concord, N.H.
• Ocean County YMCA — Toms River, N.J.
• YMCA of Summit NJ — Summit, N.J.
• Milan Family YMCA — Milan, Tenn.
• Clallam County YMCA Inc. – Port Angeles, Wash.