Stoughton Leaders, YMCA Take Part in Pioneering Healthier Communities Conference

A press release from the Old Colony YMCA:

As obesity and related diseases continue to threaten our nation’s health, a team of community leaders including those from the Old Colony , traveled to Washington D.C. this week to begin a journey that will make the Stoughton community a healthier place to live.

The team gathered in our nation’s capitol to participate in the YMCA of the USA’s (PHC) Conference.

PHC helps communities make policy and environmental changes that create real, sustainable commitments to healthier living options. The team, which was brought together by the Old Colony YMCA, will learn strategies from national experts to help combat the obesity problem facing our communities.

By developing a plan it will make it easier for community members to engage in more physical activity and make healthier choices.

“The nationwide obesity crisis is not an easy one to solve, but we can begin to tackle it right here in our own community,” said Vincent Marturano, President and CEO of the Old Colony YMCA.

“Over the past several years, the community approach taken by the Pioneering Healthier Communities initiative has proven successful. We think we can replicate it here. Telling people to move more and eat better is one thing, but actually helping them achieve that goal is another. Together, our team will strive to remove barriers, and provide opportunities that allow people to adopt healthy lifestyles.”

PHC is part of the Y’s Healthier Communities Initiatives, which are built on the concept that local communities can work together to give all community members healthy choices. Stoughton was one of 16 communities selected to convene a team of local leaders to participate in this community-based approach to create sustainable change.

This was made possible through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Close to 120 Ys and their communities have participated in PHC thanks to funding from CDC, corporate and foundation donors.

Members of the Stoughton team include:

• Vinnie Marturano, President/CEO of Old Colony YMCA
• Joyce Dwyer, Senior Executive Director, Old Colony YMCA in Stoughton
• Karen Hall, Director of COA and Youth commission
• Terry Schiender, Chamber of Commerce
• Teresa Tapper, CHNA steering Committee
• Kim Hollon, CEO, Signature Health
• Holy Boykin, Finance Committee Chair
• Joyce Husseini, School Committee Chair and wellness committee
• Lisa Parent, Department of Public Health
• John Anderson, Vice Chairman, Stoughton Board of Selectmen

For more information about PHC and the Y’s Healthier Communities Initiatives go to: http://www.ymca.net/healthier-communities/

Check Stoughton Patch next week for in an interview with the Stoughton leadership team and their reaction to the conference.