Stories

Be Healthy Berrien is a true community-wide collaboration, led by a dedicated Steering Committee of partner organizations.  These partners have come together to build a shared vision to work together in building a healthier community. YMCA of Greater Michiana is a founding member of the Be Healthy Berrien partnership, first as two separate organizations – Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA and Niles-Buchanan YMCA – and now as one entity.  Mark Weber, Chief Executive Officer at YMCA of … [Read more...] about Get to know our Steering Committee partners! YMCA of Greater Michiana

Our success wouldn’t be possible without the work and commitment of our Steering Committee! These partners build the strategies that are leading to healthier communities across Southwest Michigan. Be Healthy Berrien uses a Collective Impact model – meaning that every one of our partners has committed to working together toward our Shared Vision and making changes in their organization to lead the way to healthier communities. Since Be Healthy Berrien’s inception in 2010, the Berrien County … [Read more...] about Get to know our Steering Committee partners – Berrien County Health Department

Through its partnership in Be Healthy Berrien, Corewell Health South is living out their vision of a community with collaborative partnerships working together to improve health outcomes and promote health equity. Nicki is a seasoned public health professional with a focus on narrowing racial health inequities, building resilience of communities in the face of historical trauma, improving food access, and advancing the capacity of local health departments to effectively respond to upstream … [Read more...] about Get to know our Steering Committee partners! Corewell Health South

Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC) is transforming how community planning intersects with health.  Through their commitment to the Be Healthy Berrien partnership, SWMPC has built a connection between those who work to improve health in our community with those who plan how our community is built.  The built environment includes all of the physical parts of where we live and work (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, and infrastructure). The built environment influences a … [Read more...] about Get to know our Steering Committee partners! Southwest Michigan Planning Commission

The Southwest Michigan Local Food Council is a collective of advocates that takes evidence-based actions toward the development of an equitable regional food system that values local farmers and entrepreneurs. Our Goals  - Joy for Our Food • Abundant and Fair Economy for Our Food • Growing Infrastructure for Our Food We need volunteers to join our Working Groups!  The Joy for our Food Working Group invites those interested in sharing … [Read more...] about You’re Invited to Join the Local Food Movement!