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The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation (CWF) was recently established as a result of the merger between Chelsea Community Hospital and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. It is  focused on health and wellness in Chelsea Community Hospital's geographic service area. The CWF endowment totals $25 million, and the foundation will invest approximately $1 million annually to positively impact community health and wellness.

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Members of the board of directors for the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation posed for a photo reflecting the concepts of wellness, energy and vitality. Pictured are Ann Davis, Randy Forsch, Jeff Hardcastle, Amy Heydlauff, Diane Howlin, Shawn Lewis-Lakin, Judy Nold, Alison Pollard and Jack Wheeler. Board members not pictured are Pat Conlin, Garry Faja, Ken Gietzen, Kathleen Griffiths and Jim Woods. | Photo courtesy of CWF

Foundation officials say the residents of Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Grass Lake and Stockbridge (the CWF service area) already have at their disposal many of the resources believed to support good health. Southeastern Michigan has some of the best health care organizations in the nation, and residents have access to parks and protected wilderness areas, pools, ice rinks, dance studios and farm markets. So, shouldn’t folks in this area of the state be healthier than most? It turns out, they are not.

Every five years all the counties in Michigan conduct a survey of representative residents, asking them about their illness prevention measures, eating and exercise habits, mental health and other health-related questions. In 2000 and 2005 it was discovered, for instance, that the residents of Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester are more overweight, exercise less and eat fewer fruits and vegetables than residents in the rest of Washtenaw County. Residents of Jackson County (Grass Lake) fared no better. The CWF believes this data demonstrates more can be done to move communities toward a culture of wellness.

In February, the CWF will host a series of meetings to which representatives from local non-profit groups will be invited. The purpose of the meetings is to bring constituents together, provide an opportunity to discuss the values, vision and mission of the CWF and introduce the grant process.

For more information about the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation including their grant application process and benefits, visit www.5healthytowns.org.

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