The week of June 5th through the 10th was Community Health Improvement Week. This nationwide week of recognition is meant to highlight the individuals and organizations across the country who are working to improve the health of their community. In Green County, there are so many great people and groups working hard to make our community a healthier place to live, work, and play.
If you know someone who volunteers or works for an organization that serves our community, a small “thank you” can go a long way. Green County Public Health wants to thank all of the businesses, organizations, and community members across Green County who have worked with us during the COVID-19 pandemic, and before the pandemic to improve our community’s health. Green County Public Health is a co-chair of the Green County Healthy Community Coalition and we’d also like to thank all of our coalition members, steering committee members, and workgroup co-chairs for all of their amazing work.
Through the partnerships that exist in Green County, the Green County Healthy Community Coalition has been able to get mental healthcare professionals in local schools, increase the number of Certified Lactation Counselors in our county, establish medication drop boxes throughout the county, and host several events promoting self-care and physical activity.
It takes all of us to work together to improve community health. This work is often done by volunteers and individuals who dedicate their professional careers to it. If you are passionate about a health-related topic, we encourage you to pursue it. Your efforts can positively impact those in your community. Whether you’re interested in mental health, water quality, safe housing, or binge drinking prevention there are ways to get involved.
The Green County Healthy Community Coalition is always open to new members. We have quarterly coalition-wide meetings, and our subgroups meet monthly. The three subgroups in our coalition are focused on addressing housing, mental health, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The GCHCC website and Facebook page has more information about how to get involved, and the work the coalition is doing: http://greencohcc.org/
There are lots of other community groups doing work related to the well-being of Green County. You can look into organizations in your specific city or town offering opportunities to get involved and volunteer. The United Way of Green County website has information about a few local organizations that offer volunteer opportunities: https://unitedwayofgreencounty.org/volunteer-2/
No matter where, or how much you volunteer or get involved you’ll be helping the community. Community involvement is also beneficial for your well-being. Volunteering or becoming a member of a local organization can help provide individuals with a sense of purpose and allow them to meet new people, or connect further with other people they already know.
If you want to learn more about what is being done to improve community health in Green County, and the health issues facing Green County we encourage you to check out the 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment and the 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan. These reports cover the process that the Green County Healthy Community Coalition went through to gather information about the health of our community, the results from that process, and the next steps we’re taking. You can find these on the Green County Public Health website: https://wi-greencounty.civicplus.com/413/Reports-Press-Releases
— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greengountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
