Want to Help Spend $1 Million on Lemon Grove?

Change is on the way in Lemon Grove, and there’s an opportunity for you to have a hand in shaping the city’s healthier future.

The community coalition formed to shepherd a to help those who live and work in Lemon Grove eat better and live more active lifestyles is looking for volunteers to serve on its steering committee.

The Lemon Grove HEAL Zone collaborative is currently taking nominations of residents and others with a vested interest in the daily life of Lemon Grove.

Community stakeholders nominated for steering committee seats could come from a variety of areas, including business, city government, faith communities, service organizations, childcare agencies, healthcare providers, the school district, local media, and those who call Lemon Grove home.

During a nine-month planning phase, steering committee members will help direct projects aimed at making healthy improvements a part of day-to-day life in the city, from development to implementation. Projects will roll out over the next three years. Volunteers must be able to serve on the steering committee through September 2015.

The $1 million HEAL Zone grant, which is being facilitated by the San Diego nonprofit organization Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP), will be used to fight obesity in Lemon Grove through improved access to healthier foods and increased opportunities to get out and be active.

Creating a health and wellness hub close to the center of town, a healthy vending machine policy throughout the city, a wellness program for school district employees, healthy menu options at local restaurants, and walking clubs are among the group’s goals over the next three years.

The plan to make better behaviors a daily habit for all of Lemon Grove is part of the $7 million Healthy Eating Active Living Zones initiative Kaiser Permanente is rolling out across Southern California. HEAL Zones are designed to help make healthy choices accessible to more people in underserved communities.

Would you like to help decide how to spend $1 million in Lemon Grove? Steering committee members must live or work in the city, or have another substantial connection to the community. The nine domains needing representation are:

• Local government: The city, library, or county service agencies.

• Healthcare: Community clinics and physicians serving the city.

• School: District administrators and staff serving children ages 5 to 18.

• Early childhood: Educators and agencies serving children from infancy to age 5.

• Media: News outlets covering the community.

• Business: Local restaurants, retail and grocery stores.

• Service organizations: Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptomist, or Lemon Grove Historical Society.

• Faith: Leaders from all denominations.

• Community: Individuals representing all walks of life.

The nomination form is attached for download in the media box. Potential steering commettee members may nominate themselves, or be nominated by someone else. All nominations will be reviewed by the project executive committee, according to CHIP.

The nomination deadline is March 23. Forms can be submitted by email to cmoder@sdchip.org or by mail to Community Health Improvement Partners, 9370 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92123. Attn: Lemon Grove Steering Committee.