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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 real changes are not sustainable without engaged community members and agencies working together.

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?

The Healthy Lifestyles Coalition (HLC), headquartered at the Lee Barta Community Center on Liberty Street, focuses on the neighborhood served by the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School on the North and East Sides of Binghamton. Area residents face serious obstacles to healthy living, such as modest incomes and limited access to healthy foods and fresh produce. The North Side also has the highest rates of obesity and poverty in Broome County.

At the HLC, we set out to improve access to healthy food and physical activity and help our community members take their health into their own hands.

Where does our programming take place?
Although the Lee Barta Community Center is considered HLC’s headquarters, it is not the only place that is involved in programs and services. Our pilot school, Theodore Roosevelt, hosts many of the programs that educate children on the positive impacts of a healthy lifestyle. Programs and services are also offered at the Lee Barta Community Center, Binghamton Central School District schools, parks, and local churches.
Are there costs associated with your programs/services?

There is no cost associated with any of the programs/services provided by HLC at the Lee Barta Center. We provide these services to empower neighborhood residents, and create a healthy and supportive environment.

Why the North & East Side?

The North and East Side was chosen for Healthy Lifestyles Coalition because this area has shown the highest rates of obesity and poverty in Binghamton. The HLC’s long-term goal is to reduce the prevalence of obesity in Broome County by empowering neighborhood residents to adopt healthy lifestyles and achieve positive health outcomes.

What if I don’t live on the North Side?
You do not have to live on these sides of town to participate in our programs and services. HLC welcomes all people into our center that are looking to improve their lifestyle.
How does HLC programs address community problems?
Through partnerships with community leaders in non-profits, education, government, and business, the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition is creating sustainable change to reduce the burden of chronic disease and increase the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. The Coalition develops and implements programs that help to change the structural and environmental challenges in the community and support public policy change while also creating resident leadership and ownership.
How can I get involved with the programs?

To register for a class or participate in one of our programs simply give us a call at 607-238-1005. For up-to-date schedules and information visit our Facebook page.

What is the relationship between the HLC and the United Way of Broome County?
In 2017, United Way of Broome County began funding the program as a signature Collective Impact Initiative. This framework involves a dynamic and collaborative set of partnerships with other agencies to achieve a shared goal. The HLC and its partners understand and recognize that without engaged community members and agencies working together, real changes are not sustainable.
How can I donate to HLC and/or Fresh Cycles?
When donating, it does not just have to be about money. We are also open to many different kinds of donations such as new or used bikes for Fresh Cycles and volunteer hours for various events we host including: community clean-ups, CHOW pantry items, community bike shop, and VINES Farm Share. It takes the whole community working together to make a positive impact.
How else can I make a difference?
This initiative relies on the engagement and efforts of community residents. If you would like to make a difference in your community we want to hear from you. Leadership opportunities include being a community garden site coordinator, leading a cooking class, sitting on a committee, or attending a North Side neighborhood assembly meeting, or become a parent mentor.

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

Paula Perna – Executive Director, 607-240-2014

Laura Lacasse – Health Initiatives Manager, 607-238-1005

Tanisha Arroyo- HLC Program and Engagement Coordinator, 607-238-1005

COALITION MEMBERS

Binghamton City Central School District

CHOW

Cornell Cooperative Extension- Broome County

VINES

United Way of Broome County

Binghamton University

Broome County Mental Health Department

City of Binghamton

Rural Health Network