THE Move More on the Shore program, Table Matters food security network, and two individuals - Heera Chung and Eun-gyung Lim - were recipients of 2013 Healthy Community Hero Awards, presented by representatives of the Active North Shore Network at Saturday's Lonsdale Spring Celebration.
The Active North Shore Network was formed to improve community awareness of and access to active living and healthy eating and to inspire those who work, play and live on the North Shore to achieve healthier, more balanced lives. Network members and sponsors include local municipalities, school districts, recreation departments, Vancouver Coastal Health, businesses, and media partners.
According to a press release, the Healthy Community Hero Award is an annual honour intended to recognize local organizations and individuals working to support one or more of the network's three pillars, which include active living, healthy eating and living tobacco-free.
This year's winners include: ? Move More on the Shore, a new 12-week interactive lifestyle program aimed at lower-income, inactive adults in North and West Vancouver who may be living with a chronic disease.
The program, a partnership between Vancouver Coastal Health and the District of West Vancouver, involves regular guided physical activity and health education that is run in a supportive group environment. The purpose of the program is to foster increased physical activity and healthy eating to decrease disease.
? The Table Matters food security network supports the healthy eating pillar of Active North Shore by taking action to improve access to healthy, local food. The network encourages and provides support to a wide variety of food-related activities, including beekeeping and community gardens. It holds events regularly to build knowledge and skills about local food.
Most recently, the network has drafted a food charter with the hope that it will be approved by the three municipalities and will serve as a guiding document to decisions that impact food on the North Shore.
The network is comprised of more than 200 individuals, representatives from non-profit organizations and businesses, staff from all three North Shore municipalities, and Vancouver Coastal Health. Table Matters invites anyone with an interest in healthy eating to join the network.
? Heera Chung and Eungyung Lim emigrated from Korea and have been leaders in a Korean women's walking group for the past four years as part of the North Shore Immigrant Women's Active Living Program.
The number of women who walk in their group ranges from seven to 25 on any given Tuesday and they walk rain or shine, wind or sleet. They explore a wide variety of trails on the North Shore and encourage newcomers, family and friends to join them.
They have created a support network and opportunity for women to be physically active together, meet new friends and feel a sense of connection with their community.
Send details, along with your contact information, for our regular Noteworthy Neighbours section to [email protected].
