Healthy Communities in Waterloo Region
Chaos, Change and Opportunity in a Caring Community
Stories from the Front - Group 1
Stories from the Front - Group 2
Stories from the Front - Group 3
Stories from the Front - Group 4
Mary-Eileen McClear - Storyteller
Introduction
After the success of the first Stories From the Front in Waterloo Region (April 25, 1998), there were many requests to have this become an annual event. Those who took part were enthusiastic about having an opportunity to share their experiences and to find out what was being done by others. For many, this was their first introduction to the Healthy Communities perspective, which was affirming, enlightening and inspiring. There was a definite excitement and we have seen changes over the past year, some of these were evident in the stories shared in this, the second Stories from the Front.
The theme for the second Stories from the Front in Waterloo Region is: Chaos, Change and Opportunity in a Caring Community. This theme emerged from what we heard in participant evaluations from the 1998 Forum. There are a range of initiatives across the region and all are faced with a myriad of challenges and opportunities but, most if not all, are motivated by a sense of caring about people, our community and society as a whole. Indeed, Waterloo Region was amongst the first Ontario communities to receive the Trillium Foundation Caring Community Award (1997).
Another common theme heard from participants and stories was the desire and need to work better with community systems - especially formal government systems. When it was learned that Woolwich Healthy Communities were to host the 4th Annual Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition Conference, the Waterloo Region Healthy Communities Good Ideas Group wanted to have any local event work with the broader, provincial conference. So, rather than have a daylong session, it was decided to shorten to a single evening as a pre-conference event. In doing so, outreach and promotion could include both events, which would:
- Get local people interested and excited about Healthy Communities
- Highlight how a range of local initiatives are relevant to Healthy Communities
- Encourage people to participate in either the local event and/or provincial conference
A Healthy Community...
Provides a clean, safe physical environment.
Provides the basic needs of all its residents.
Has citizens who respect and support each other.
Involves the community in local government.
Promotes and celebrates its historical and cultural heritage.
Provides easily accessible health services .
Has a diverse, innovative economy.
Rests on a sustainable ecosystem.
Four Key Healthy Community Principles
- Wide community participation.
- Broad inter-sectoral participation.
- Local government commitment to making the promotion of a healthy community the focal point of municipal responsibility.
- Creation of healthy public policy.
A healthy community has a clean, sustainable environment, a thriving economy and ample social capital. Worldwide, a healthy community movement integrates these - none can be left out if we want to survive! Young and old from all walks-of-life are getting excited about the part they play to make our communities healthier places to live.
"There is some amazing work going on in Waterloo Region communities ... much energy and passion!"