Healthy Community Partnership of the Mahoning Valley releases 2024 Year in Review
The Healthy Community Partnership of the Mahoning Valley (HCP) has released its 2024 Year in review.
The review highlights the key accomplishments of the Partnership, the efforts of action team partners, and features a systems change story of the Safer Streets Series, an effort which focused on creating temporary demonstrations of what could be possible for a street design that is more accessible for all residents. 2024 was an exciting year for the partnership with increased momentum. Another big highlight for the partnership in 2024 was its burgeoning partnership with Youngstown State University’s Guin Fit Initiative (YSU Guin Fit).
HCP acts as the coalition for their grant and they onboarded multiple staff early in 2024. HCP spoke to YSU Guin Fit’s Manager Kelley Frazier to understand her take on the relationship between HCP and Guin Fit for this review.
““The partnership between Guin Fit and Healthy Community Partnership is truly a win-win. HCP is deeply connected with a wide range of community organizations, and Guin Fit is funded to support the initiatives that make a great impact,” she said. “Together, we’re able to advance policy, systems, and environmental changes, such as complete streets and expanded access to healthy food, that create lasting benefits for families and communities across our region. We value the reciprocity of this partnership, the connections it fosters, and the opportunity to bring families and children together to adopt healthier lifestyles.”
The Partnership equally values the relationship and hopes to continue working on the academic and community collaborative work with them for years to come. Just as organizational partnerships have strengthened HCP’s impact, the voices of resident leaders reminded why this work matters.
Lola Lewis, Resident Leader and Mahoning County Co-Chair for HCP’ steering committee when asked about her thoughts on the work of HCP in 2024 stated, “What makes the Health Community Partnership special is how people come together for the good of the Mahoning Valley and surrounding areas. In 2024, we showed that when we listen, collaborate, communicate, and act as one, we can make lasting improvements that touch the lives of families across our community for many generations to come.”
Representatives said her statement challenges the organization to carry the same spirit of unity and action into 2025 and beyond, ensuring that the progress made becomes a catalyst for lasting positive change in the Valley. The Full 2024 year in review can be accessed through HCP’s website HERE. The Healthy Community Partnership of the Mahoning Valley brings together organizations and residents who share a commitment to a healthier, more equitable Mahoning Valley.
The Partnership has three focus areas – Active Transportation, Healthy Food and Parks & Green Spaces – with teams that work in those fields to develop strategies to achieve long-term, sustainable change. The Partnerships is funded by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Western Reserve Health Foundation, the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation, and the William Swanston Charitable Fund.