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With a new year underway and a new grant arriving soon, the Boonslick Heartland YMCA hopes to make some major changes in Boonville.
The YMCA was recently selected to become part of Action Communities for Health, Innovation and EnVironmental changE (ACHIEVE,) an initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With a goal of bringing together influential citizens from around Boonville to promote a healthy community, the YMCA and those involved hope to provide education and resources to solve specific health problems.
Ten community leaders have already pledged their support and cooperation with the program including: Cooper County Memorial Hospital CEO Allen Waldo, County Commissioner Paul Davis, New Franklin School District Counselor Paul Goode and Central Methodist University's VP for Campus Life and Athletics Director Jay Webster.
Already, the group has plans to develop and implement local activities focused on preventing chronic disease through building partnerships and raising public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use, poor nutrition and physical activity.
The YMCA was just one of three other YMCAs chosen throughout the United States for the grant. Twelve other recreation associations, health centers and disease centers were also chosen nationwide.
Since 2008, Y-USA, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and the National Recreation and Park Association have collaborated to provide training and assistance to support nearly 150 ACHIEVE communities.
Locally, the YMCA has been paired with the York and York County YMCA in York, Penn., for guidance and support.
The YMCA's Director of Healthy Living, Vanessa Dorman, said that York is a similar YMCA to that of Boonville and has already seen success from the program.
"This grant is really going to help The Y coordinate with community leaders to make Boonville a healthier community," she said. "There are a lot of great things that can be done, like walking and biking trails, that will benefit the whole community."
The group hopes to advocate for a citywide trails system, community garden, healthy living courses and activities as well as healthy options for consumers.
"We've made our vending machines nutrient-rich and only offer no-sugar drinks and snacks," Dorman said. "Our hope is that the hospital, schools, businesses and community will jump on board."
The grant will also fund many of the materials necessary to making the projects work.
With a new year underway and a new grant arriving soon, the Boonslick Heartland YMCA hopes to make some major changes in Boonville.
The YMCA was recently selected to become part of Action Communities for Health, Innovation and EnVironmental changE (ACHIEVE,) an initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With a goal of bringing together influential citizens from around Boonville to promote a healthy community, the YMCA and those involved hope to provide education and resources to solve specific health problems.
Ten community leaders have already pledged their support and cooperation with the program including: Cooper County Memorial Hospital CEO Allen Waldo, County Commissioner Paul Davis, New Franklin School District Counselor Paul Goode and Central Methodist University's VP for Campus Life and Athletics Director Jay Webster.
Already, the group has plans to develop and implement local activities focused on preventing chronic disease through building partnerships and raising public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use, poor nutrition and physical activity.
The YMCA was just one of three other YMCAs chosen throughout the United States for the grant. Twelve other recreation associations, health centers and disease centers were also chosen nationwide.
Since 2008, Y-USA, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and the National Recreation and Park Association have collaborated to provide training and assistance to support nearly 150 ACHIEVE communities.
Locally, the YMCA has been paired with the York and York County YMCA in York, Penn., for guidance and support.
The YMCA's Director of Healthy Living, Vanessa Dorman, said that York is a similar YMCA to that of Boonville and has already seen success from the program.
"This grant is really going to help The Y coordinate with community leaders to make Boonville a healthier community," she said. "There are a lot of great things that can be done, like walking and biking trails, that will benefit the whole community."
The group hopes to advocate for a citywide trails system, community garden, healthy living courses and activities as well as healthy options for consumers.
"We've made our vending machines nutrient-rich and only offer no-sugar drinks and snacks," Dorman said. "Our hope is that the hospital, schools, businesses and community will jump on board."
The grant will also fund many of the materials necessary to making the projects work.
