[Archived] The Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Asks Residents for Their Views for a Healthier Alexandria

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2009

The Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria (PHA) is leading a community-wide effort called MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships), through which the PHA hopes to strategically identify, analyze and prioritize health needs in Alexandria, and then identify ways and resources to address those needs. The Partnership is implementing two key activities to start this effort::

• First, surveying community members about their views for a healthier Alexandria. The survey is posted on the Partnership’s Web site (www.alexhealth.org/partnership/mapp.html) and can be e-mailed to Carrie Fesperman by Wednesday, February 25, at carrie.fesperman@vdh.virginia.gov.
• Second, bringing community members together to share their ideas and experiences to make Alexandria a healthier place to live. The Partnership is holding a community meeting on Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St. Food will be provided. Translation services are available. For more information, contact  Carrie Fesperman at carrie.fesperman@vdh.virginia.gov.

The Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria is a citizen-led coalition of non-profit organizations, schools, municipal agencies, local businesses, government and community leaders, and concerned citizens joined to promote and preserve a healthy Alexandria community. The Partnership was formed to focus on health concerns that arose from Alexandria’s first Community Health Assessment in 2004. There are now more than 174 members involved in the Partnership’s Steering Committee and four workgroups.

For more information about the PHA and MAPP, visit www.alexhealth.org/partnership.