UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA BLOG

Powered by Purpose, a United Way of Central Iowa community-based initiative, launched The Powered by Purpose Organizational Journey, a new online program helping businesses and nonprofits identify and more intentionally share their organization’s purpose.

Continue physical distancing while you virtually connect to stay social! Find out how you can connect with other people your age through Please Pass the Love.

Last November, 15-year-old Jontavious Logan of Des Moines entered a manic state. Diagnosed with autism and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), Jontavious can sometimes hurt himself and others close to him when he’s manic. That evening, he became aggressive, pushing his younger brother and then storming out of the house. His family, worried for his safety and having no other options, called the police.

You may know a friend or co-worker who experiences issues with mental health. Or, you have heard that Iowa ranks among the worst states for access to mental health care. Many groups are coming together to talk about mental health in our community and how to build a stronger system of care, raising up the issue as a priority in our state. 

Living a healthy lifestyle is more than choosing to eat well and exercising. Our health is most determined by where we live, including whether we have access to healthy foods, opportunities to safely be active outside, and a network that encourages us to be healthy. 

Central Iowans are among the worst in the nation for consuming fruits and vegetables. According to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-being Index, Des Moines is ranked 185 out of 186 communities for consuming fruits and vegetables.

Only half of Iowans frequently consume produce at recommended levels. 

The Central Iowa Well Kids Coalition launched this December as a public-private partnership among 30 organizations committed to promoting healthy habits with kids and families. The coalition also launched 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count as a unified message with easy-to-implement ideas that encourage healthy habits in the places where kids live, learn, and play.

A new infographic by United Way of Central Iowa  released this week showcases the importance of focusing on health where central Iowans live, learn, work, and play. 

Improving our health begins where we live, learn, work, and play. That is why we are excited to introduce adult exercise equipment at Evelyn K. Davis Park.

An early adopter of the 5-2-1-0 initiative, Children & Families of Iowa's (CFI) Childhood Development Center now encourages healthy habits among all children, families and staff as part of its culture.