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Interact for Health Invests in Community-Led Solutions in Three Neighborhoods

Dec 10, 2024

In September 2024, Interact for Health launched an initiative aimed at supporting communities in driving their own solutions to pressing health challenges. These grants are about more than just funding—they're about supporting grassroots efforts that create lasting change. Three place-based grantees were awarded: Middletown Connect from Middletown, The Heights Movement from Lincoln Heights, and Working in Neighborhoods (WIN) from the Beekman Corridor.  
 
Interact for Health believes in the power of local communities coming together to solve their challenges, trusting that people know their communities and are best positioned to offer solutions. 
 
Community power building is essential for creating a more just and equitable society. When communities have power and agency, they are better equipped to:  
    • Identify and address their unique needs and challenges. 
    • Advocate for solutions that reflect their lived experiences. 
    • Hold decision-makers accountable for their actions. 
 
Together, these organizations are driving transformative change in their communities, paving the way for healthier, more equitable futures. By listening to the voices of everyday experts, they exemplify the power of community-led solutions in action.  

Learn more about our Community-Led Solutions in Place Partners below: 

The Heights Movement 
The Heights Movement is an organization based in Lincoln Heights, Ohio, a historic Black community and the first of its kind established above the Mason-Dixon line. The Heights Movement aims “to return Lincoln Heights to past glory through sustainable projects that positively impact our residents educationally, financially, professionally, and physiologically.” 

The Heights Movement is most well-known for its success in removing a Cincinnati Police Department gun range, causing noise pollution and distress in their community. 

Photo courtesy of Celeste Treece from The Heights Movement

Celeste Treece, an organizer and leader in The Heights Movement, said, “One thing that was uplifted through a lot of our research was the mental health impact. Whether that was sound pollution, the connection through ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) for some of the students, or the health impacts for older residents who have hearing problems because [of] those violent sounds." 

With the gun range set to be removed by 2026, The Heights Movement looked for opportunities for healing. Led by community input, it shifted its programming to focus on mental health and empowering local youth, including the Agricultural Workforce Development Program. This paid program, aimed at youth ages 14-21, allows youth to gain valuable work experience while learning the importance of community-led work. 

The Agricultural Workforce Development Program is based at Jackson Street Farms, The Heights Movement’s community garden-turned-football-field-sized urban farm. Community members garden together and grow produce for the community and restaurants in the area.  

“For us, it’s about creating a legacy. We always say we don’t want to be legends without a legacy,” said Treece. “It’s really about cultivating new leaders who will take our position and continue to grow what we’ve done at The Heights Movement.” 

Visit The Heights Movement website or follow them on Facebook for updates on their work.  

Middletown Connect 
Middletown Connect is based in Middletown, Ohio, and seeks to foster neighborhood engagement, one connection at a time.  

DeAnna Shores, Middletown Connect Coordinator, said that Middletown Connect began their work by asking the community, “What does health mean to you?” The community’s answers showed that their definition of health was almost entirely non-medical. They mentioned access to transportation, youth involvement and belonging, and community engagement. 

Photo courtesy of Middletown Connect

To tackle community-identified issues, keeping community members engaged is key —especially when building relationships with those who have never been involved.  

“Some people haven’t been invited to the table, so that’s what we are trying to do: make sure that everyone understands they have a responsibility, but also a seat,” said Shores. Responsibility to one’s neighborhood is something Shores believes in deeply, encouraging people interested in community power building to dedicate “a little bit of responsibility, a little bit of audacity, and a little bit of time” to community-led solutions where they live. 

Middletown Connect is always open to connecting with new partners, discussing their process with folks, and learning from others about new ways to engage the community. 

Visit the Middletown Connect website to get engaged, and follow Middletown Connect on Facebook to stay connected. 
 
Working in Neighborhoods 
Working in Neighborhoods (WIN) works in the Beekman Corridor: South Cumminsville, North Fairmount, Millvale, English Woods, and South Fairmount. Their mission is to “empower people to make informed choices for themselves and their neighborhoods through community building, homeownership, and economic learning.” 

WIN’s previous work has included housing, traffic, street safety, and economic development. Moving forward, WIN is looking to revitalize their community by promoting sustainable avenues for community members to find employment, grow their businesses, or live affordably. 

Photo courtesy of S. Barbara Busch from Working in Neighborhoods

S. Barbara Busch, Executive Director of Working in Neighborhoods, said the first step to building community power is asking community members what they want and making sure they are involved in every step of the decision-making process. 

 “You have to give people hope that there is something that can be done because many people have lived in these communities for a long time and don’t necessarily have hope,” said Busch. Progress such as lengthening the time on walk signals in crosswalks so older community members can safely cross streets can energize community members to keep working towards solutions. Busch said, “Seeing things get done gives people the hope to move forward on other and bigger issues.” 

Visit the Working in Neighborhoods website to learn more or volunteer. You can also follow them on Facebook for updates on their work. 

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