Middletown Connect
Middletown Connect, formerly referred to as the Coalition for a Healthy Middletown, was established by a collective group of concerned citizens and committed community leaders who realized that change begins with relationships. Relationships begin with connection.
Middletown Connect, as the name indicates, provides people and agencies with opportunities to connect and establish relationships built on trust and shared vision. Middletown Connect is a community lead initiative seeking to foster health equity and to improve healthy behaviors through meaningful engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Middletown Connect, in support of our City’s Vision – Destination Middletown, helps to build strong families, safe neighborhoods and healthy individuals.
Ohio Health Improvement Zone Pilot Project Grant – awarded to the Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio and the City of Middletown Health Department through the Ohio Department of Health for a 10-month period. This pilot project was designed to foster health equity, address social determinants of health, and improve healthy behaviors through meaningful community engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration within a focused area - census tracts 130, 131, and 132. Beginning September 2023, census tract 144 was added to this pilot group.
Advancing Health Justice Project Grant - awarded to the Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio through Interact for Health to expand the above work into census tracts 122 and 141.
“Restore the pride where you reside.”
Everybody Wants Change
Everybody wants change. That change starts with a conversation. The first step is meeting with decision makers and other folks just like you. Let's talk it while we walk it. Walk & Talk is an opportunity to put your body and your mind in motion. The next step starts with you!
Residents living in Middletown census tracts 130, 131, 132 were invited to join their neighbors, along with City and System Leaders, on a walk through your neighborhood on the following dates.
But Walk and Talks don’t have to stop there! Find a friend or co-worker and get moving!
Health Improvement Partners (HIP Team) – The HIP Team are key players in improving the health of our community. These agencies and political bodies can provide financial resources and/or influence policy changes related to the reduction of social determinants of health. Working towards better alignment of resources will help us all be more effective when it comes to improving health.
Community Ambassadors- Residents living within these 3 census tracts were recruited to serve as community ambassadors for their neighborhoods. Ambassadors led community conversations around defining what it means to be healthy and identifying barriers to healthy living. Staff and HIP Team members were asked to put their assumptions aside and simply listen. Now, they are partnering with Ambassadors to explore ways to BUILD TRUST and INCREASE SAFETY within their neighborhoods. In addition to leading community conversations, attending planning sessions, and hosting a community bus tour for various agencies and leaders, they have initiated community Walk & Talks.
Community Groups Initiatives
A community group is a group of people who work for the benefit of the community. To better align efforts and resources in the Middletown area community, Middletown Connect is taking inventory of community groups/agencies and their efforts. If you are involved in such a group, please register the contact information here.
Get Involved!
To learn more about or become involved with Middletown Connect, please contact:
DeAnna Shores
Project Coordinator
deanna@safetycouncilswohio.org
Kristy Duritsch
Program Director
kristy@safetycouncilswohio.org