(Watertown, NY– Sept. 2013) Cornell Cooperative Extension is working to make the North Country a healthier place to live, work and play.
Adopting Healthy Habits, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation will help area businesses, groups, community leaders and organizations create policies, practices and environments to increase access to healthy living options for families in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.
A healthy lifestyle is about the choices we all make. Those choices, however, are shaped by the opportunities that surround us. Research demonstrates that people are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors when communities have easily available options that encourage and promote healthy habits.
To this end, Adopting Healthy Habits will work with Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties, as well as with concerned local organizations and individuals to build upon existing efforts and help identify and strategize ways to make changes that work for local communities.
Cornell Cooperative Extension, with support from the Northern New York Community Foundation, is offering $9,000 to fund 5-15 mini-grant awards. Based on the need identified and the scope of work proposed, funding for each award can range between a few hundred dollars up to $2,000. Applicants must be located in or serve audiences in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence Counties. This funding seeks to foster policy and environmental changes to increase access to vegetables and fruits and expand access to physical activity opportunities for community residents.
Awards will be reviewed by Adopting Healthy Habits coalition members. The Northern New York Community Foundation reserves the right to make final determinations.
Awards will be evaluated on feasibility, sustainability, and relevance to nutrition and physical activity.
This funding is available to any group including social service providers, schools, local businesses, faith-based groups, youth groups and neighborhoods.
Applications must be received by Oct. 11, 2013. Notification of funding will be provided by Jan. 10, 2014.
For more information about the mini awards call Amanda Root at Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County at 788-8450 or by emailing arr27@cornell.edu.