Be Healthy Berrien is works with other organizations across the state to help learn, grow, and share what we do. In August of 2019, we spent a couple of busy days visiting with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, who works on food access projects including healthy corner store transformations. We have received a tremendous amount of support and expertise from them as a funder for our Healthy Corner Store Initiative, and a partner in a Community Collaborative Learning Project.
When people think of the YMCA, its often thought of as a fitness organization, but community health and wellness is at their core. The Grand Rapids YMCA showed us this first hand by taking us on a tour of many of their different partner organizations in the community like urban farms, neighborhood development projects, and corner stores. Their in-depth knowledge and partnerships within community organizations is key to the success of their programs.
We love seeing what other organizations are doing in their communities, and our trip inspired us to continue spreading our healthy corner store work into communities here in Southwest Michigan.
To learn more about our Be Healthy Corner Store Initiative click here.