WHAT IS HEAL?

The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities Campaign helps harness the power of local governments to advance health equity through resolutions with policy goals for general plans, land use, healthy food access and work site wellness. We believe that cities, communities and neighborhoods can be places where physical, social and economic conditions make health a reality for all people. At its core, the Campaign aims to engage municipal leaders to champion health in their communities by adopting policy and promoting opportunities for residents and municipal employees.

The cities of Solvang and Buellton have adopted resolutions promoting HEAL goals and are HEAL cities.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY HEAL COALITION

The local HEAL Coalition was first convened in April 2018 by representatives of the Stuart C Gildred Family YMCA (YMCA), Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Joan Hartman – Board of Supervisor, and Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People (PHP). The intent of the group was to improve the overall health of the community and its residents by improving access to healthy food, increasing healthy activity, and reducing obesity and the negative health conditions related to being overweight.

In October of 2018, the Cities of Buellton and Solvang each adopted resolutions supporting HEAL policies and became official HEAL ciities as recognized by the HEAL Campaign of the League of California Cities.

Currently People Helping People, a 501 c-3 non-profit corporation, is the administrative and fiscal administrator for the Santa Ynez Valley HEAL Coalition.

The coalition is currently comprised of members from the following organizations:

People Helping People, Stuart C. Gildred/Lompoc Family YMCA’s, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Cities of Buellton and Solvang, County of Santa Barbara, S.B.C. Bicycle Coalition, Solvang/Buellton Chamber of Commerce, Cottage Hospital, Veggie Rescue, Santa Ynez Valley Foundation, SBCAG, Healthy Lompoc – LVCHO, local Santa Ynez Valley School District representatives, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisor Joan Hartman, Community Individuals, and more.