The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation wants to steer Dexter, Chelsea, Manchester, Grass Lake and Stockbridge toward becoming healthier communities.

The private foundation's initiative, 5 Healthy Towns, aims to create a "culture of wellness" in the communities served by the Chelsea Community Hospital by providing funding for community action plans.

The wellness foundation board, which was established as a result of the merger of Chelsea Community Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Health System, recently held an informational meeting in Dexter.

The foundation wants to encourage residents to choose to “eat better, move more, avoid unhealthy substances and make healthy connections with others,” said Larry Cobler, a member of the foundation board.

“We’re looking for people with a big vision for Dexter,” he said.

Cobler cited Dan Buettner’s book "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest," as well as the “Vitality Project,” in which Albert Lea, Minn., was challenged to become a healthier place to live.

About 30 Dexter residents met with foundation representatives to learn about the group’s plans to form individual community wellness coalitions and plans for healthier living. The next meeting is planned for 7 p.m. March 29 at the Dexter District Library.

“A wellness coalition is a team of community stakeholders who work together and make decisions together to create a comprehensive wellness plan,” Cobler said.

The foundation has a $25 million endowment, and there is about $1 million available over two years to fund work in the five communities, Cobler said.

“This is a fascinating notion,” said Dexter resident John Hansen. “Money in search of a plan. I’d call that a paradigm switch. We should stand on our heads to get this going.”

About 35 people attended the first meeting in Chelsea, Cobler said, while Manchester is the furthest along in its healthy community plan.

Once the introductory meetings have been held, a coalition of interested volunteers will begin to make decisions about what’s needed in each community. A community assessment will take place and strengths and opportunities for change will be identified. At that point, a community health action plan will be developed and presented to the foundation for potential funding.

By bringing together community leaders, residents, restaurants, grocery stores, nonprofit and religious organizations, schools, health care providers, educators and experts, the foundation wants to create and sustain a “culture of wellness and measurable improvements in the health of the community,” according to its website.

Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter with AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Dexter stories, visit our Dexter page.