Five organizations were selected to receive this year’s Healthy Neighborhood Initiative grant from the City of Fitchburg for a total of $46,000. The proposals were selected based on their ability to serve the needs of the community and enhance the quality of life for those living, working, and recreating in Fitchburg.
This year’s recipients work throughout the city. Latino Academy of Workforce Development, awarded $10,000, will form Latino “resident” panels to increase civic engagement in the North Fish Hatchery neighborhood. Madison Metropolitan School District - Trails to Success, awarded $10,000, has staff working at Chavez School to Increase capacity for after-school education program and neighborhood engagement planning. Badger Prairie Needs Network, awarded $10,000, will undertake food pantry outreach, identify partners, and offer food-related education at several locations. Community Groundworks, awarded $6,000, works to reduce food insecurity by supporting a gardener-in-residence to oversee community garden and formation of garden committee for neighborhood engagement planning. Unidos, awarded $10,000, supports culturally-relevant domestic/sexual violence helpline throughout Fitchburg.
“With these grant funds Fitchburg is investing in our neighborhoods. We look forward to seeing the benefits of the activities of these five organizations as part of the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative and appreciate their efforts to enhance the quality of life of our Fitchburg residents,” said Mayor Jason Gonzalez.
The City of Fitchburg Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative is a pilot program designed to work with community partners to address specific barriers to opportunities in specific City neighborhoods. The Initiative is proposed to be data-driven, with desired outcomes to include: enhancing the quality of life for those living, working, and recreating in the city, building on the mission and goals of the city, increasing collaboration of common goals with neighborhood partners, and improving city services.
For more information about the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative in the City of Fitchburg, contact Ellen Geisler, Sustainability and Neighborhood Development Specialist, at 608-270-4274 or ellen.geisler@fitchburgwi.gov.