2nd visioning session a success!

The second visioning session was a great success. 20 community members turned out to revise the draft statement created by the individual adult and youth visions from the August 3rd event.

Community members worked in small groups to ensure that the shared vision incorporated everyone's ideas and priorities - while remaining true to the HKHC goals.

As we move forward, we will begin planning for the third and final session in our visioning series. We will display the art created by our youth attendees, both craft pictures and photographs, as well as launch our newly crafted vision. We hope the final session will be a celebration for all of Buffalo - and the launch of the HKHC initiative in the city.

First HKHC Report - Check it out!

As a part of the HKHC program, we are conducting an ongoing assessment of the healthy eating and active living environment in Buffalo. As a part of this assessment, Kailee Neuner - the research coordinator from the University at Buffalo for HKHC - produced a policy brief that outlines the current conditions. Please take a few minutes to read this very important document - and get involved. You can always contact me with any questions at jhersher[at]bnmc.org.

Download the document here.

2nd Visioning Session Tonight!

After a very successful first session, the HKHC community will meet again tonight to work on the draft community vision for a healthy Buffalo. Adults and youth came together on August 3rd to provide their personal visions for a healthy Buffalo, and these prioritized themes and ideas have been compiled into a draft vision.

Please come out tonight and help us finalize our vision! Everyone is welcome - health is important for all of us! See you tonight.

Check out some photos from the first session - some of our representatives are presenting their ideas...

First Visioning Event a Success!

Thank you to all that came out for the first of three visioning sessions to help craft a vision for a healthier Buffalo. More photos and information to come soon! Here is a teaser from the youth session - the youth of Buffalo have some really great ideas and they know what it takes to be healthy.

HKHC Visioning Series

Check out our posters for the upcoming Visioning Series...and come check out each event! Click on each poster to get a closer view...

HKHC Goals

Many of you may be wondering what it is we do. Here are some of our primary goals:

1. Engage the community in a dialogue about healthy eating (HE) and active living (AL) policy, and what it means to you

2. Promote HE and AL policy and environmental change in the City of Buffalo

3. Work with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for AL matters

4. Conduct a citywide assessment of policy conditions, physical and environmental landscape, and organizational capacity with respect to HE and AL - what does Buffalo look like right now? What are our assets? What are we missing?

5. Support the development of a Food Policy Council

6. Determine additional needs of HE and AL community in Buffalo

Now is the time to get involved! Contact Jessie at jhersher@bnmc.org to learn more.

What is Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities?

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities - or HKHC - is a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that focuses on policy- and environmental-change that increases opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating -- leading to better overall health.

Why is this important? Good health goes beyond "not being sick." Good health includes eating right, getting enough exercise and feeling good about ourselves.

We, HKHC Buffalo, want to continue the conversation about healthy eating and active living in Buffalo. We want to hear from you - the residents of the City of Buffalo - about what makes a healthy community. We hope to hear from all ages, and will have activities and sessions geared towards youth and adults. We are getting ready to kick-off with our first event in the coming weeks so watch for more information!

You can also check out more about HKHC at the national level at http://www.healthykidshealthycommunities.org.