Finalists named for Doctors Nova Scotia community award
Doctors Nova Scotia has selected three finalists for its 2013 community-based Strive Award.
Chebucto Connections, Happily Ever Active, and Paradise Active Healthy Living Society (PAHLS) are bidding for the $10,000 grant.
They were selected from 37 community groups that applied for the award.
“It’s amazing to hear of the incredible work happening in our province,” said Dr. Mike Fleming, incoming President of Doctors Nova Scotia. “Although we have a high rate of chronic disease, we have dedicated community groups and volunteers addressing risk factors at the community level in innovative ways.”
Each group offers their communities unique services.
Chebucto Connections is actively engaged in making Spryfield, NS, a healthy and vibrant place to live and work.
“Through our Neighbourhood Hub Model, we create a means for organization and residents to connect with each other in meaningful ways and work together to improve the overall quality of life for people of all ages in the area,” explained Bonnie Ste-Croix, Executive Director of Chebucto Connections.
Halifax-based program Happily Ever Active offers free arts and fitness programming to seniors facing physical, mental, social, and financial challenges.
“We want to raise awareness of the fact that it is possible to engage even very frail and cognitively impaired seniors in enjoyable, meaningful activities that can help them maintain or improve their health,” explained Jesse Robson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Happily Ever Active.
PAHLS supports increased physical activity and healthy lifestyles among the residents of Paradise, NS, through providing fitness and dance classes, a walking club, and healthy cooking classes.
“Being fit usually involves a cost, sometimes out of reach of young families, and our retired residents. Because of our program, people don’t need to incur a cost or travel to get active. We provide opportunities in our community,” said Rev. Barbara Bishop, President of PAHLS.
Doctors Nova Scotia will announce the winner of the Strive Award during its annual general meeting on June 8 in Digby, NS. The award has been given annually, since 2011, to a Nova Scotia community group making innovative and strategic actions to support and promote health.
Broadcast Use
Doctors Nova Scotia has selected two HRM and one rural community group as its finalists for the association’s 2013 Strive Award. Chebucto Connections, Happily Ever Active, and Paradise Active Healthy Living Society are bidding for a $10,000 grant to improve healthy living opportunities in their communities. The winning group will be announced in June.
Doctors Nova Scotia is the professional association representing all doctors in the province. It is the oldest medical association in Canada. The association represents about 2,500 physicians serving patients across the province, and 700 medical students and residents.