Dexter Will Participate in Health Seminar Saturday

Dexter residents who want to make their community healthier can learn
how to do so from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation's seminar in Chelsea.

The seminar takes place at the Silver Maples Retirement Community, 100 Silver Maples Dr., and will feature speakers from the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the Washtenaw County Public Health Department.

"This seminar will benefit anyone who is interested in creating a healthy and happy community for years to come," said Matt Pegouskie, program and community resources manager for the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation.

"The speakers will discuss some interesting health-related data concerning this area, how to create infrastructure that allows for active living and how to motivate and engage residents of every demographic," he said.

The foundation was established as a result of the merger between Chelsea Community Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Health System and is focused on community health in Dexter, Chelsea, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge.

"In 2009, the foundation was funded with a mission to create a culture in which people choose to make healthier decisions," said Amy Heydlauff, executive director. "We are asking each of the five communities to bring together representatives to build a coalition of people who care about the general health of the community."

Members of the Dexter community are encouraged to get involved in developing a wellness plan and have been meeting at the to work on the plan.

"We need opportunities to lead healthier lives that will result in less chronic
disease and better quality of life, not to mention lower health care costs," said Larry Cobler, who represents Dexter on the foundation's board.

"I think the research is clear that lifestyle changes that include moving more, eating healthier, connecting with others, and avoiding unhealthy substances are what the foundation's '5H' initiative is trying to support in our communities," he said.

The 5H initiative is an ambitious effort to establish wellness coalitions in five towns – Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge – to create healthier lifestyles for their respective communities.

The Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation provides resources to communities including access to experts, information and grant funding. It has awarded grants, including one for $38,500 to fund a Safe Routes to School program coordinator for the Dexter, Chelsea and Manchester school districts and a grant for $63,000 for the program to educate families about exercise and nutrition in the Dexter School District.

For more information about Saturday's seminar and the Dexter Wellness Coalition, call 734-433-4599 or visit 5healthytowns.org.