Healthy Hearts on the Hill

Healthy Hearts on the Hill (HHH) is a collaborative initiative of the Center for Excellence in Aging & Community Wellness with Koinonia Primary Care. HHH is an initiative aimed at increasing awareness and participation in heart healthy behaviors. This initiative, with the support of a community coalition, lay advocates and community partners, aims to reach its goals of increasing access to health care, physical activity and better nutrition in the West Hill, Arbor Hill and South End communities of Albany, New York.

Healthy Hearts on the Hill Coalition

In the absence of mainstream services reaching out effectively to many health disparity communities, the Healthy Hearts on the Hill Coalition (HHH) was  initially formed around the need to increase access to health services, to improve health practices and more importantly to build capacity by utilizing identified strengths within the community. To date, hundreds of West Hill and surrounding community members have engaged in one or more activities of the Coalition.

The Healthy Hearts on the Hill  Coalition brings together community partners from the fields of health care, research, faith based institutions, neighborhood advocacy groups, community based organizations, local service providers, university partners and community residents to plan for greater health opportunities in West Hill and the surrounding  health disparity communities of Arbor Hill and the South End of Albany.

The work of the Coalition is always developed and focused through the three pillars of health: Proper Nutrition ~ Access to Health care ~ Physical Activity

For more information about  current projects or becoming a part of the coalition, please contact Azula Kennedy or by phone at 518-442-5779.

Healthy Hearts 2nd Annual Fun Run/Walk

We're all winners!

On Saturday, May 21st Healthy Hearts on the Hill sponsored their 2nd annual Fun Run/Walk to promote heart healthy behaviors. It was a beautiful day and we had many happy feet and smiling faces enjoying a morning walk or run for a good cause …many thanks to all who participated! If you would like to see more pictures of the day check out the Healthy Hearts on the Hill Facebook page!

Healthy Hearts  ♥ Community Calendar “Tradition meets Nutrition”

Healthy Hearts is happy to announce the completion of our 2011 – 2012 community calendar ~ ‘Tradition meets Nutrition.’ Celebrating the culture, traditional foods, family stories, and people of the Arbor Hill, West Hill and South End neighborhoods of Albany,  this 14 month calendar not only offers one heart healthy recipe for each month, but gives you a guide to reading nutrition labels, monthly healthy tips and words of encouragement from the Healthy Hearts Chef! Would you like to sample a recipe?

Try Howard Collins ‘Oven Fried Chicken’ or Jean Marks ‘Grandmas Goulash’

Healthy Hearts on the Hill Retreat

On March, 2nd, 2011 the Healthy Hearts on the Hill Coalition hosted a 4-hour retreat at the the inspiring facilities of the Crossings at Colonie. The retreat was organized to bring together current and new Coalition members to help refocus coalition activities and resources in 2011. Community partner organizations were also asked to invite community members who had a genuine interest in working with the Coalition and the ability to make a commitment to attend future meetings. Potential new partners were identified and invited to attend.

Health Care Access Group Brainstorming

The work of the Retreat centered on the three focus pillars supporting the coalition’s mission – Health Care Access / Physical Activity / Nutrition. Each work group discussed and reviewed previous coalition activities, achievements, and challenges before brainstorming how the Coalition could move forward within that pillar area in ways that would compliment and support work currently taking place in the West Hill, Arbor Hill and South End communities and increase the likelihood of impact. 

If you would like to read the report detailing the results of our retreat, download it here: HHH Coalition Retreat Report

Healthy Spaces

In 2010, with financial support from the New York State Healthy Hearts Program we were able to  partner with  community organizations for the purpose of developing and supporting at least (5) local activity sites (called Healthy Spaces) that are accessible to community members in the West Hill, Arbor Hill, and the South End neighborhoods of Albany.  Accessibility to community members means that health and wellness activities are available in the very neighborhoods where they live and work. The (5) Healthy Space sites currently operating are located at:

Click here for our Healthy Space calendar of activities: 2012 Calendar of Activities

Showdown at Townsend

The Showdown at Townsend Winners with Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff

In August of 2010 to kick-off the opening of the Townsend Park Housing Association Healthy Space one of the residents of Townsend Park Housing challenged the Albany County Police Department to a WII Bowling Tournament. This was an community event that brought out not only the Albany Police Department but also Albany County Legislators, Judges and all of the network media outlets. The victory however belonged to the residents, perhaps because they had been practicing their bowling since the opening of their Healthy Space WII Activity Center!

Healthy Hearts on the Hill Report Released

In 2007 Lisa Ferretti, LMSW Co-Director of  the Center for Excellence in Aging & Community Wellness was awarded  a 2-year Practice Change Fellow Award. The Healthy Hearts on the Hill project led by its Coalition was the primary activity supported by the Practice Change Fellow Award. In 2009  Ferretti complied a report  designed to offer insights on the origins of the project; the West Hill community in which it is based; the role of the Fellow and her organization, the Center for Excellence in Aging & Community Wellness (CEACW),  in the development and implementation of the project. Also discussed is the guiding approach to the project, Participatory Action Practice (PAP), that both influenced the development of the project and how that approach itself evolved within the project; as well as the activities of the project. Download the Healthy Hearts on the Hill Final Project Report.

Where is Arbor Hill Neighborhood?

Arbor Hill is located in the northeast section of Albany.  The neighborhood is bounded by railroad tracks to the north, Orange Street to the south, Broadway to the east, and Henry Johnson Boulevard to the west.  Arbor Hill is a primarily residential area with a unique heritage.  Ten Broeck Mansion, the Palace Theater and St. Joseph’s Church are a few examples of the cultural gems within the historic districts along Ten Broeck Triangle and Clinton Avenue.  Want some more information? Check it out here: Arbor Hill Neighborhood

Where is the West Hill Neighborhood?

The West Hill community is located on the west side of the city of Albany. It is located between Henry Johnson Boulevard, North Manning Boulevard, Central Avenue and Livingston Avenue. One of the first neighborhoods in Albany, the neighborhood’s rich past is illustrated in the spires of Saint Joseph’s Church, historic structures, and Ten Broeck Mansion. A diverse neighborhood enjoys parks, and a location adjacent to downtown and commercial offerings of Henry Johnson Boulevard.

Where is the South End Neighborhood?

The South End is present in historic preserved brick row houses and Schuyler and Cherry Mansion, as well as newly reconstructed South Pearl Street and other new construction. Lincoln Park features the large scale Lincoln Pool, tennis courts and recreational space.