Healthy Neighborhoods
April 1-7 is National Public Health Week 2024.
Join Healthy Acadia, American Public Health Association (APHA), and community-serving organizations nationwide in celebrating the many public and private spheres working together to make individuals, families, communities, and our nation healthier, stronger, and more resilient. This year’s Public Health Week theme is, “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”
Healthy Acadia is committed to collaboration and partnership across all community sectors and throughout our service area, knowing that we do our best work by building trust, listening to one another, working together, and sharing resources, knowledge, and skills. We believe that all people must have access to resources and conditions that support their best health and well-being. We are committed to continuous learning, creating opportunities, and fostering environments that enable all people to thrive. We are dedicated to addressing health disparities and inequities both within our organization and across the communities we serve.
We firmly believe that we are all contributors to public health, and we're eager to hear what this means to you. What does your Healthy Acadia look like? Share your thoughts with us!
What is your Healthy Acadia?
Every day during Public Health Week, we’re sharing an inspiring story that shines a light on a community health program or initiative aligning with APHA’s theme of the day. Today’s theme is Healthy Neighborhoods.
Each month, the StoryWalk at Porter Memorial Library in Machias features a new seasonal book selection, along with an activity and healthy recipe aligned with the book’s theme.
“My Healthy Acadia actively collaborates with communities and organizations to create safe ways for everyone to be active.”
-Sandy Fortin, Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Coordinator
In October 2023, Healthy Acadia, Maine SNAP-Ed and Porter Memorial Library teamed up to launch a StoryWalk® on the library grounds in downtown Machias. StoryWalk® is a literacy-boosting project that places an illustrated children’s book, taken apart and displayed page by page, along an easily accessible community walking route.
A StoryWalk® is an innovative and interactive way to engage with a children's storybook while enjoying the outdoors. It combines the joy of reading with physical activity and the beauty of nature. In a StoryWalk®, the pages of a picture book are spread out sequentially along a walking path or trail. As visitors stroll along the path, they can read the story.
StoryWalks are often set up in parks, gardens, nature trails, or other outdoor spaces accessible to the public. It's a wonderful activity for children and families to immerse themselves in a story while enjoying the surroundings and getting some exercise. Plus, it's a great way to make reading and learning a dynamic and memorable experience.
The StoryWalk® at Porter Memorial Library will feature a different book each month, carefully selected to be woven with themes tied to the season. At the end of their walk, visitors will find a healthy recipe inspired by the book that they can make at home.
“I love the idea of having a story walk at the library. Doing this project in partnership with Healthy Acadia is a perfect fit for our community.”
The project was initiated by Healthy Acadia Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, Shannon Cherry. In addition to offering healthy cooking and nutrition classes in schools and community settings, Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators also support local food projects throughout the year. These PSE (Policy, Systems, and Environmental) Change Projects help to increase community access to healthy, fresh food.
“This is such an important project to me for so many reasons. I envisioned creating a unique, year-round StoryWalk; one with a thoughtfully selected rotation of books to encourage community members, of all ages, to spend more time reading and being outdoors. Additionally, I want to provide guests with a healthy, take-home, recipe that has a connection to the book of the month.”
Healthy Neighborhoods
“My Healthy Acadia builds healthy neighborhoods for people and families of all ages. ”
We know that where we live – where we eat, sleep, work, play, learn, and pray – can have a huge effect on our health. But what makes a neighborhood healthy? Having safe places to live, without hazards or pollution. Having safe ways for everyone to be active, like sidewalks, and safe places to bike. Having easy access to fresh, affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. Having easily accessible and smoke-free public spaces for all to enjoy. When our neighborhoods are healthy, we have the building blocks for healthy lives.
Read American Public Health Association’s National Public Health Week 2024 article about Healthy Neighborhoods: In English, or/o En Español.
How Can YOU make our neighborhoods healthier?
Get to know your neighbors. Social cohesion means you’re connected with the people who live near you. Feeling connected to each other is an investment in your community. It’s also great for kids to have adults who care about them.
Why are healthy neighborhoods important to you?
Let’s Build Healthier Communities Together!
We invite you to come together with us to build public health for everyone. You can make a difference by volunteering your time, making an in-kind or financial gift today, reaching out to talk over ideas, or considering a planned gift.
Donate online. Make a one-time gift, join our Sunrise Monthly Giving Circle, and/or donate in honor of a loved one.
Mail a check to Healthy Acadia, P.O. Box 1710, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
There are so many ways for you to get involved!
For more ways to give, click here or contact Shoshona Smith at Development@HealthyAcadia.org or (207) 667-7171 Ext. 210.