HUTCHINSON, Kan. — United Way of Reno County has received a grant of $250,000 from the Kansas Health Foundation to be part of the statewide Community Engagement Initiative and support residents of the Avenue A Neighborhood Center area in achieving the vision of a healthier community.
According to America’s Health Rankings, a study that ranks states based on health factors such as obesity, chronic disease, and smoking, Kansas ranks 27th in the nation—a steady decline from its 11th place in the initial 1990 rankings. In addition, the State of Obesity report released by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation also found that Kansas has an adult obesity rate of 30 percent—the 19th highest in the nation.
Five organizations across Kansas have been selected to work with residents to identify barriers to better health and create a plan to address them by—among other goals—improving access to quality education, healthy affordable foods and safe places for recreation. In addition to the core funding, each community is eligible to receive up to an additional $100,000 in match funding over the course of the grant term to expand the impact of their work.
“United Way of Reno County looks forward to the opportunity to partner with Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) in support of the Avenue A Neighborhood Center initiative in Hutchinson, Kansas.” said Tona Turner, Executive Director of United Way. The Neighborhood Center is a strategic place with a focus on advancing the community together. It requires a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources that are coordinated to comprehensively meet student, family and neighborhood needs. The KHF grant award will catapult efforts to develop and implement neighborhood vitality and health strategies, both within the Neighborhood Center walls and in the surrounding neighborhood. With the input and engagement of residents and school parents, formal partnerships have already formed between USD 308, Boys & Girls Club, Hutchinson Community College, Interfaith Housing Services, Circles of Hope and UWRC. The KHF grant funding support will allow the Neighborhood Center to form new partnerships with the Hutchinson Recreation Commission, the City of Hutchinson, and Reno County Department of Health which are vital to improving neighborhood health. The Ave A Neighborhood Center initiative is specifically parent and resident focused. Parents and residents will not only be included, but will guide the work at a pace at which they are willing to engage in improving health, education and income conditions in their neighborhood. The goal of this project is not to “fix” the neighborhood or people of the neighborhood, rather to engage and assist them with their efforts to improve the conditions and sustain the neighborhood change.
United Way of Reno County will be joining four other community organizations as part of the Community Engagement Initiative, including the United Way of Greater Topeka; Wichita State University Foundation; Communities Creating Opportunity in Kansas City; and Thrive Allen County.
“It’s important to meet communities where they are. Residents understand community needs and have some of the best ideas how to address them,” said Chan Brown, Kansas Health Foundation program officer. “We believe that all Kansans should be able to make healthy choices where they live, work and play. This initiative is an important step towards that goal.”
United Way of Reno County has supported non-profit work in our community for over 35 years. Their focus is on working collaboratively in new and innovative ways to improve lives and build a stronger community. United Way of Reno County advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health — the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way of Reno County has been actively recruiting people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to tackle some of our community’s greatest issues. By bringing the right partners together to collectively work on these issues, UWRC feels that we can change the odds for thousands in our community.
The Kansas Health Foundation is a private philanthropy based in Wichita, but statewide in its focus. Its mission is to improve the health of all Kansans. To achieve this, the Foundation promotes health and wellness in schools, neighborhoods and workplaces. Grows leaders in Kansas communities. Inspires decision makers. Acts as a voice for healthy public policy. And starts and fosters community philanthropy that will see its mission thrive for generations. Together with grantees and partners, the foundation’s goals include making Kansas the healthiest, most productive, most livable state in the nation. To learn more, please visit www.kansashealth.org; follow us on Twitter @KansasHealthOrg; or visit Facebook.com/KansasHealthFoundation.
The Center for Global Policy Solutions is the national program partner for the Community Engagement Initiative. The Center advances health, wealth, educational, and civic success for diverse populations. Learn more at www.globalpolicysolutions.org.