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A Healthy Takeover by Santa Ana, CA Citizens

Santa Ana, CA

about

Active Living in Santa Ana (ALISA) is a diverse partnership formed to promote physical activity in Santa Ana. Using a cil, Santa Ana Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Neighborhood Resource Network and Community Development Division as well as California State University- Fullerton Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention, Orange County Health Care Agency, Latino Health Access, Santa Ana Unified School District, and others. community organizing approach to engage its predominantly low-income, Spanish-speaking residents, ALISA is creating a safe and active city through programs, promotions, policies, and community design strategies. The ALISA partnership is focusing its efforts on low-income public housing developments, schools, and neighborhoods. In its first year, the partnership developed several successful grant proposals to increase supports for physical activity. As a result, various partners are now able to implement a range of activities, including improving physical education and training for teachers and after-school providers using the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum; developing and maintaining walking and exercise groups at public housing facilities; coordinating and participating in community events and reaching out to media organizations to promote active living; increasing physical activity and recreation programs offered by the city; increasing and improving parks, trails, and other facilities for physical activity; and working with neighborhood associations to identify recreational opportunities and barriers to active living.

The ALISA partnership is led by the YMCA of Orange County's Community Services Branch. Key partners include the Santa Ana City Council, Santa Ana Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Neighborhood Resource Network and Community Development Division as well as California State University- Fullerton Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention, Orange County Health Care Agency, Latino Health Access, Santa Ana Unified School District, and others.

our story

Martina Palos is a hardworking woman, a dedicated wife, and a devoted mother who decided to be more accountable for her health. Participating in Active Living in Santa Ana (ALISA) walking club, aerobics, nutrition, and physical activity workshops has increased Martina's sense of well-being and motivated her to make important lifestyle changes. While others offer excuses for their lack of physical activity, Martina is encouraged by her progress. She is so inspired that she also is helping to change her family's lifestyle with a healthier diet and more physical activity. Two of Martina's three daughters, Karla and Samantha, participate in a new physical activity and nutrition program designed for fifth through eighth grade children on Friday afternoons. Martina's children now have a mother who is a healthy role model, but who also encourages them to be active and make better choices in their own lives.

opportunities

Santa Ana is one of the nation's most densely-populated cities, with 75% of its population comprised of Latinos – immigrants, U.S.-born citizens, and undocumented Mexican- Americans. The city is built out, with few, if any, opportunities for new development. The relatively young population is eager to be active in the existing green space in the city, but parks and fields are often overused and difficult to maintain. Santa Ana residents are fortunate to have a progressive Parks and Recreation Department, city council, and other organizations that provide physical activity programs and aim to improve the built environment to welcome more opportunities for active living.

The ALISA partnership capitalized on the interest from state and local foundations to promote healthy eating and active living and successfully incorporated other grant awards into their ALbD approach.

accomplishments

Contributed to recreation opportunities and physical improvements, including two artificial turf soccer fields and 80 trees, which were donated and planted in the McFadden Triangle area within Santa Ana.

Advocated with the Santa Ana mayor and council to establish two official advisory groups focusing on different aspects of active living. As a result, the Santa Ana River Task Force is working to improve the Santa Ana River banks for physical activity and the Health and Fitness Task Force will provide awards and encouragement for people to live active and healthy lifestyles.

A key partner, the Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Department, restructured its mission and programming to promote active living and health. One outgrowth is the SALUD program, which utilizes neighborhood associations as vehicles for local physical activity programming and reclaiming open space.

Conducted focus groups on physical activity options in low-income apartments, which led to a new women's walking club, aerobics club, and family active days. The partnership and residents worked with public housing managers to reverse a policy that did not allow residents to congregate, and now the formation of walking clubs are possible.

As a result of a federal PEP physical education grant, the partnership enhanced physical activity programming and instruction in Santa Ana schools, training 25 teachers and after school providers. In addition, Santa Ana schools received $6,500 in physical activity equipment to complement the enhanced programming and teacher training.

Generated nearly $1.8 million for active living in Santa Ana through federal grants (Carol E. White Physical Education Program - PEP grant), congressional appropriations, and local foundations (Kaiser Permanente and Orange County HealthCare Foundation).

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