Vincennes selected for an Active Living Workshop

health-by-design

Vincennes,  Connersville, Greenfield, Hartford City, and Kendallville  won competitive application process

Health by Design and the Indiana State Department of Health are partnering to present a series of workshops designed to help communities throughout the state become healthier, more active and accessible for all ages and abilities. Funding for the workshops has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Communities applied for the workshops through a competitive process and five were selected. The five communities selected to host workshops between July 2016 and June 2017 are:  Connersville, Greenfield, Hartford City, Kendallville and Vincennes.

The daylong workshops will bring together elected officials, government staff, civic leaders and advocates to network, learn about the benefits of active-living communities, and discuss strategies for success. Organizers will lead participants on a walk audit to assess the accessibility and condition of sidewalks and roads and will facilitate discussion to identify active-living priorities in each community.

“The point of the workshops is to see that strong communities are built for all ages and abilities, and to begin planning and designing environments that will allow and encourage residents to be active in their daily lives,” said Kim Irwin, executive director of Health by Design, a coalition that works to create built environments that foster healthy living.

“We’ve taken this workshop to 16 communities throughout the state since 2014,” said Irwin.  “It’s been exciting to see how the workshop has spurred conversations and served as a catalyst. It’s been even more fulfilling to watch the progress communities are making on their chosen priorities.”

Connersville Mayor Harold W. Gordon said, “I am pleased that we were awarded the Active Living Workshop grant.  The City of Connersville, Fayette County, will benefit greatly from this program that will inform our citizens on the healthy choices they need to make daily that will impact their lives not only for today but also fortomorrow.

After each workshop, communities will receive a summary report with best practice resources, as well as technical assistance and guidance on implementing the goals outlined in the active living action plan they create. Each Active Living Workshop is valued at $6,500 and is provided at no cost to the selected communities.