Marion Area Coalition for Healthy Communities

Coalition-Building Activities

Coalition-building activities including increasing youth involvement in the coalition, holding regular meetings, advancing the strategic plan and fundraising efforts, participating in poverty-simulation training, collaborating at the county level (and potentially beyond) and conducing a 5K Run/Walk.  Through these efforts, the collective strengths of the community are leveraged to create a stronger community and coalition.

Partners:

• Marion Area Community Foundation
• Marion Area Christian Youth Foundation (MACYI)
• Marion Area City, Village, and Township governments
• Marion Area Ministerial Association
• Marion Civic Group
• City of Marion Police Department
• The Marion Advertiser (local newspaper)
• Area civic and volunteer organizations
• Local business leaders
• Local health care providers
• Center for Healthy Communities, Department of Family and Community Medicine,
  Medical College of Wisconsin
• School District of Marion
• University of Wisconsin-Extension, Waupaca County

Goal of these Activities:

• Increase community coalition benefit and effectivesness

Activities:

• Institutionalize a youth advisory committee-plans are underway to better incorporate youth input and feedback into the Coalition efforts.  This will likely come through the youth service group.
• Hold bi-monthly coalition workgroup meetings.
• Advance strategic planning, fundraising, and sustainability efforts-strategic planning efforts will be finalized in Summer 2007 and advanced.  A sustainability plan is in place and is being moved forward.  Fundraising efforts are the next level of effort.
• Participate in poverty simulation training-This training will provide coalition members the background needed to adjust programming to meet the needs of all sectors of the Marion area.
• Participate in county-level coalitions and efforts.
• Conduct 5K Run/Walk-The first 5K Run/Walk was held in Fall 2006 and was very successful in multiple ways.  The event is expected to continue.

Accomplishments to Date:

• The Coalition has been successful over the past 10+ years in addressing its priorities, as demonstrated through significant decreases in substance abuse.  Workgroup meetings are held consistently and with good turnout.

Current Activities:

Future Plans:

Funding Source:

• Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Local government, business, and other individuals contribution of time