About
Who We Are
The Healthy Lifestyles Coalition (HLC) began in late 2012, through a grant awarded by the Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation. In 2017, United Way of Broome County began funding the program as a signature initiative that utilizes a dynamic and collaborative set of partnerships, with other agencies, to achieve a shared goal. The HLC understands and recognizes that without engaged community members and agencies working together, real changes are not sustainable.
Mission
HLC is a community collaboration that empowers neighborhood residents to adopt healthy lifestyles and achieve positive health outcomes.
Vision
Engaged and empowered communities that foster healthy environments, healthy relationships and healthy people.
Guiding Principles
- Physical environment is safe, clean, and promotes physical activity and socialization.
- All residents feel connected regardless of geography or generation.
- All residents are healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
Objectives
- Advocate and encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors through creation of structural supports, environmental changes and/or policy initiatives.
- Support the social, emotional and mental health of all youth, individuals and families
- Increase access to and participation in physical activity opportunities for youth, individuals and families.
- Increase access to and consumption of healthy foods and beverages for youth, individuals and families.
Goal
To assist with reducing obesity and associated long-term risks for chronic disease in our community; through the promotion of targeted multi-level interventions that improve habits and behaviors related to healthy lifestyles.
Mission
HLC is a community collaboration that empowers neighborhood residents to adopt healthy lifestyles and achieve positive health outcomes.
Vision
Engaged and empowered communities that foster healthy environments, healthy relationships and healthy people.
Guiding Principles
- Physical environment is safe, clean, and promotes physical activity and socialization.
- All residents feel connected regardless of geography or generation.
- All residents are healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
Objectives
- Advocate and encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors through creation of structural supports, environmental changes and/or policy initiatives.
- Support the social, emotional and mental health of all youth, individuals and families
- Increase access to and participation in physical activity opportunities for youth, individuals and families.
- Increase access to and consumption of healthy foods and beverages for youth, individuals and families.
Goal
To assist with reducing obesity and associated long-term risks for chronic disease in our community; through the promotion of targeted multi-level interventions that improve habits and behaviors related to healthy lifestyles.
What We Do
Since 2012, the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition (HLC) has been operating as a community collaboration which aims to increase nutrition and physical activity among residents living on the North and East Sides of the City of Binghamton. The HLC provides a community forum to support residents in obtaining access to healthy and affordable food, safe places to play and be active and training and support to become advocates for policy and environmental changes which promote positive health outcomes by reducing obesity in the neighborhood.
From its headquarters at the Lee Barta Community Center on Liberty Street, the HLC set out not just to improve access to healthy food and exercise, but to help community members take their health into their own hands. The pilot project, “Eat Well. Play Hard. Binghamton!”(EWPHB!) aimed to combat childhood obesity, but it soon grew clear that we couldn’t solely address children’s health without considering the health of the whole family and the community at large. The project transformed and now focuses on issues such access to healthy foods, nutritional literacy, cooking skills, opportunities for exercise, walkable streets and more.
FAQs
What does the HLC do?
Where does our work take place?
Are there costs associated with your programs/services?
Why the North Side?
What if I don’t live on the North Side?
How do HLC programs address community problems?
How can I get involved with the programs?
What is the relationship between the HLC and the United Way of Broome County?
How can I help the HLC?
Our Team
The HLC brings together the people and resources to tackle complex community issues and drive sustainable, positive change to help our community thrive. This wouldn’t be possible without our people. The HLC is run by a partnership of individuals and organization committed to our community.
Click here for a listing of the United Way of Broome County team.
Staff
Jacqueline Gerchman, Executive Director, 607-240-2010
Paula Perna, Director, Community Initiatives & Planning, 607-240-2014
Kimberli Schwartz, Healthy Lifestyles Coalition Manager, 607-238-1005
Shams Harper, Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator, 607-238-1005
Chelsea Cleary, Healthy Lifestyles Coalition Assistant, 607-238-1005
Thomas Duerr, Community Initiatives Assistant 607-240-2017
ADVISORY BOARD
Amelia LoDolce – VINES
Beth Roberts – CCEConrad
David Chilson – Roosevelt Elementary School
Francis Battisti – Chair SUNY Broome
Jack Seman – CHOW
Jared Kraham – Mayor’s Office
Judy Peckham – Klee Foundation
Linda Biemer – Klee Foundation
Luann Kida – Binghamton University Community Schools
Mary McFadden – Health Department
Taylor – City Council
Yvonne Johnston – Binghamton University
HLC PARTNERS
BCBS
Binghamton City Council
Binghamton City Central School District
Binghamton Food Rescue
Broome County Health Department
Binghamton University
Binghamton University, Promise Zone
Catholic Charities RSVP Program
Centenary Chenango Church
CHOW
City of Binghamton
Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation
Cornerstone Family
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Excellus
Family Enrichment Network
Fidelis Care
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Healthcare Food and Health Network
Healthlink NY
Lourdes
Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network
North Side Neighborhood Assembly
SUNY Broome
UHSYMCA of Broome County
United Way of Broome County
Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments, VINES
Find Help
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
United Way of Broome County
P.O. Box 550
Binghamton, NY 13902
Physical Address:
Lee Barta Community Center
108 Liberty Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
Hours of Operation
M-F | 8:30pm-4:30pm
Occasional Seasonal After-Hours Programming
(please call for hours during holidays and special circumstances)
Phone
