VNPA - HEAL: A Community Collaborative

In early 2010, a team of community advocates in western Chula Vista began work as part of a pilot program to Prevent Violence and Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living (PV-HEAL).* The community partnership focused on efforts to influence infrastructure and landscaping improvements to improve the health and safety for all residents in western Chula Vista. Their PV-HEAL project inspired the Chula Vista Utility Box Program, which engaged youth in beautifying previously neglected and vandalized utility boxes with art that is culturally reflective of the community. Boxes beautified in early 2011 have remained unaffected by graffiti and tagging. Also, the areas where the project was focused have seen a reduction in violent activity. This is just one example of increased community capacity and engagement in Western Chula Vista to create safe public spaces for physical activity.

* The PV-HEAL pilot was funded by the Convergence Partnership (http://www.convergencepartnership.org) and coordinated by Prevention Institute (http://www.preventioninstitute.org). To learn more about other VNPA pilot projects in communities across the US, visit: http://preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/preventing-violence-and-reducing-i...

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• healthy eating
• preventing violence
• prevention
• health