In 2015 and 2016, HCO and community partners conducted extensive surveys and assessments of opportunities and barriers to participation in recreation opportunities in Providence.  In response to the information shared with us by the community, HCO and our partners are working throughout the city to increase participation in recreation and other activities leading to a healthy lifestyle throughout the City’s neighborhoods. Activities include:

• Expanded programming for youth and adults at the City’s Recreation Centers
• Promotion of healthy affordable food options available through the City’s Summer Meals Program and local farmers’ markets
• Peer-led health education for teens
• Teaching neighborhood youth about growing food through the work of the Resident Farmer at City Recreation Centers and Parks
• Community training in nonviolence
• Increased training and support for Recreation Department staff
• Development of a corps of community-based Community Health Workers
• Outreach and delivery of evidence-based programs to help residents prevent and manage diabetes and other chronic diseases

The City of Providence is one of 9 Health Equity Zones throughout Rhode Island. This place-based work to increase health equity is supported by the Rhode Island Department of Health. HCO’s City of Providence HEZ partners include:

• Community Health Innovations of Rhode Island
• Groundwork Rhode Island
• Farm Fresh Rhode Island
• Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence
• Lifespan Community Health Institute
• The Partnership for Providence Parks
• Recycle-A-Bike
• Providence Parks Department
• Providence Recreation Department
• West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation
• Youth in Action