FitTown USA

Our HealthCorps community outreach program, FitTownUSA, connects and empowers citizens and organizations to bring about health awareness and affect change. Coordinators form important ties with public health departments, foundations, the business community, school system, other community service organizations, community health centers, public transportation departments, school food, parks and recreation departments to coalesce efforts and help America hit the “tipping point” for wellness.

FitTown USA Mandatories:

Include Environment in our Dialogue
Examine Systems: Food & Transportation
Activate Partners & Community through Community-Based Projects

Current FitTown USA Project: Make the Healthy Choice an Easy Choice

Through FitTown, HealthCorps and its national and local partners will create at least one community-based project over the next year per city to increase OPPORTUNITIES for HEALTH. The project is designed to “Make the Healthy Choice an Easy Choice” through one or more of the following:

Increasing opportunity for physical activity
Improving access to safe places where children can play
Increasing availability of healthier foods (such as fresh fruits and vegetables)
Increasing awareness of healthy food systems

Investigate

Utilizing PHOTOVOICE: all HealthCorps high schools will conduct photovoice surveys of the environment in and around their schools. Look for built-environment and food system opportunities such as potential:
• Safe routes to school
• Walking paths and playgrounds
• Farm-to-school programs

Make a Plan

“FitTown Talks” public forum, moderated/hosted by Columbia Urban Design Lab; FitTown team panel of youth and adults to discuss found opportunities & announce community project ideas. The NYC “FitTown” Talk will be hosted on March 10-11 by the Urban Zen Foundation.