July 24, 2017
Healthi Kids' Change Agenda
Healthi Kids, which was created in 2007, stands for "Healthy Eating and Active Living Through policy and practice Initiatives for Kids." Back in 2008, our Healthi Kids Policy Team, a group of community leaders brought together by Common Ground Health, created our change agenda. Over the last couple of years, our work in some areas began to wind down and we became very active in two new areas. These include walkable, bikeable, accessible communities and healthy food in neighborhoods.We're excited to share that the Healthi Kids Policy Team approved an updated change agenda earlier this Spring! For more information about Healthi Kids' change agenda or policy team, please contact Dina Faticone at dina.faticone@commongroundhealth.org or 585-224-3126.
PlayROCs Your Neighborhood 2017!
Healthi Kids' second annual PlayROCs Your Neighborhood event took place on Saturday, July 15th and was a huge success! 20 different sites across the City of Rochester participated in the event to raise awareness for safe and accessible play spaces for every child, in every neighborhood. A big thank you goes out to all of our site organizers and volunteers that worked so hard to make each event unique and fun for those of all ages and abilities that attended. Foodlink's Curbside Market andRec on the Move also joined in the fun by stopping by several of the sites! Thanks also goes out to WHEC 10, News 8, WXXI, the Democrat & Chronicle, Spectrum, and WHAM/FOX Rochester for providing coverage for the events. To view more photos from the day, check out our Facebook page. To learn more about our PlayROCS campaign, contact Jenn Beideman at jenn.beideman@commongroundhealth.org or 585-224-3151.
In the news!
In case you missed it! The Democrat & Chronicle published the above article earlier this month that highlights how new tools are helping schools to support kids affected by trauma. Last Fall, Healthi Kids teamed up with School 17 staff that created the cool down room that includes the trampoline and basketball hoop mentioned in the article. Healthi Kids partners with several schools in the Rochester City School District to pilot creative ideas like cool down rooms, play trails and more. Our goal is to help them create "comprehensive school physical activity plans". These plans support the whole health of the child by considering their physical and social-emotional health. To learn more about creating healthy schools, contact Alicia Evans at alicia.evans@commongroundhealth.org or 585-224-3172.
Traffic Safety Update
Back in February we shared that our Traffic Safety Work Group was selected byCausewave Community Partners to do a Community Impact Initiative. The group, made up of cycling and pedestrian organizations, city and county government, traffic officers, and community residents, has been meeting with Causewave for the past several months to develop an education strategy. In the Fall, Causewave will work with the group to bring on a marketing partner to help share our campaign message, so stay tuned! Looking for something you can do in the meantime to promote safe streets in your neighborhood? Check out these signs you can purchase at Amazonor Lowe's! Or join the City's Neighborhood Pace Car Program! To learn more about our Traffic Safety Community Impact Initiative, contact Mike Bulger at mike.bulger@commongroundhealth.org or 585-224-3171.
New Generation
Healthi Kids' work includes improving access to healthy food in neighborhoods. Last year, Healthi Kids partnered with New Generation, a corner store on North Clinton Avenue in Rochester, to do just that. The owner Wafik Al-Tawel and his daughter Yasmin Taouil have been working hard to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to residents in their community. They have purchased new coolers and freezers, while Healthi Kids helped them to get shelving, a new sign for the front of the store, and materials to advertise fresh produce. New Generation plans to increase its healthy options as soon as they get authorization to accept SNAP benefits from New York State, so stay tuned! In the meantime, stop by and check out their new and improved store! Click here to check out our Healthi Kids' Blog this month to read more about their story and learn more about the importance of changing the food environment in neighborhoods for our kids and adults. To learn more about healthy food access in neighborhoods, contact Mike Bulger at mike.bulger@commongroundhealth.org or 585-224-3171.
Save the Date!
PLTI Information Session: 5:30pm -7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 9th at the Gleason Auditorium in the Central Library on South Ave. Your Voice Matters! PLTI is open to anyone who wants to be a change agent for children. Parents, grandparents, and guardians come experience a "taste" of what Parent Leadership is all about! The Greater Rochester PLTI is hosting an informational session on how this FREE 20-week course will provide info on the tools of democracy, teach them how to actively engage in civic life, and give parents the confidence & skills to better the lives of children in the community.
Collard Green Curves - The Nurse Bowick Story: Don't miss Common Ground Health's Patricia Cathey's performance in Collard Green Curves, Thursday, September 14th-Saturday, September 16th at this year's Fringe Festival! Collard Green Curves depicts the life of Theresa Lou Bowick and her journey to conquer unhealthy habits. Click here to buy tickets, and hurry, they're already selling out!
A Call to Women of Color: Girls Matter Youth & Parent Workshops, Friday, September 22, 2017 from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at Trillium Health. This event honors Women of Color ages 13-45+ with a day of entertainment, education, refreshments and vendor tables. Social Gathering, Saturday, September 23, 2017, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Genesee Valley Park. These are FREE events but there is limited space. Please register to attend by contacting Jackie Dozier at jdozier@acRochester.org or 585-210-4126.