Moment of the Month

We Made It! HCP-MV Partners Look Back on 2020 and Look Ahead to 2021 The year started off with clever quips about 2020 being a year for vision, with promises of perfect sight, focus, and precision. Goals were going to be crushed. We’ve since found ourselves ending the year with a smoldering pile of tired, trying phrases like: “during these challenging/difficult/uncertain/unprecedented times;” we’ve had to pivot;” and “stay safe.” And, with souls that have been crushed.  Many have lost so much these past twelve months that at once dragged on and flew by. Dear, precious things like the [...]

Trumbull County Partners Transforming Convenience Stores to Community Stores HCP-MV Partners Bring Resources, Partners, and Healthy Foods to Trumbull County Convenience Stores Corner Stores. Convenience Stores. Bodegas. Mom and Pops. Everybody’s seen them, probably even stopped in to grab a soda, a sweet treat, or a scratch off. Though there is likely one within a short distance of your home or office. But, though these small stores have a wide variety of offerings, they’re not usually associated with much of anything healthy. Hopefully that is beginning to change as more convenience stores transition into community stores throughout the [...]

Active Transportation Goes Off Road and Online HCP-MV Partners Find New Avenues to Engage Residents in Active Transportation Activities September is always a month of transitions. Summer’s bright lemon-yellows darken to become the well-known mature golden, mustard hues of autumn. Planting season becomes harvest season, a time to enjoy the fruits—and veggies— of our labors. Days grow shorter, shadows longer, mornings crisper, and evenings chiller. Perfect for a walk, hike, or ride. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many significant disruptions to our routines. Many of those disruptions have brought about additional challenges to our health and wellbeing. [...]

A New Day for WRTA HCP-MV Applauds the Trumbull County Commissioners for Taking the First Step towards Becoming an Official Member of WRTA The Western Reserve Transit Authority, more commonly known as WRTA, is about to celebrate its 50th birthday next year. But, the party has already started. Just during the summer months this year, WRTA has been gifted nearly $2.6 million for transportation improvement projects to benefit the region, recognized by the Ohio Department of Transportation Division of Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion as Transit System of the Year, and showered with community support. More information about these [...]

Putting Food Access Resources on the Map Members of HCP-MV and Community Partners Plot Out Food Access Locations to Show Residents and Social Service Organizations Where to Go to Get Good Food The Mahoning Valley has been pinned on the map, so to speak, for a lot of things over the years. Unfortunately, some of these recognitions are less than glamorous, especially when the focus is on the health of the region. Map from YSU CURS showing grocery store locations and households with no vehicle access in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. A 2018 report from the Food [...]

It's Time The Mayor, Youngstown City Council Members, and City Health Officials declare racism a public health crisis in Youngstown On Friday, June 19, 2020, the City of Youngstown declared racism as a public health crisis. In an historic vote held on the historic Junteenth holiday, which celebrates the liberation of African Americans from slavery in the United States, all seven council members voiced their support for this declaration as well as commitments to follow up these words with much needed actions. Members of Warren City Council unanimously supported a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis [...]

Moment of the Month: In Praise of Our Parks Members of the Healthy Community Partnership celebrate spring with a new parks action plan and community challenge that promotes the power of parks and public spaces to improve physical and mental health Map of Park Locations in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties The May Moment of the Month celebrates collaborative efforts that encourage residents to get out and show their love for parks and green spaces. Through several strategies, partners have elevated the importance of parks as essential public places that promote health, wellbeing, and connection—to each other [...]

Moment of the Month: COVID-19 Food Distribution Efforts HCP Partners organize food distribution efforts to help families access food during COVID-19 crisis As the seasons changed, so did all aspects of our lives, everything was flipped upside down seemingly overnight. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous amounts of upheaval, uncertainty, and fear throughout our communities. Everyone is adjusting to living in the “new normal," which has diverted businesses, non-profits, governments, and residents from their plans and piled on more stress than we are used to shouldering. ACTION Grab n Go hot meals being prepared by Cultivate Cafe [...]

WRTA Adds Six New Fixed Routes in Warren Shari Harrell attended WRTA's kick off of it's six new Warren routes on March 2 at the Trumbull Art Gallery. Bus rides will reach most retail and medical centers within the city limits and were free for the first week! Check out WRTA's website for a map and schedules for the new Warren Routes: https://www.wrtaonline.com/services/warren-service/ Photo credit: Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership