Community Corner
Ashland, Cherryland: Planning for a Healthy Future
The Ashland and Cherryland communities are raising their overall economic vitality and well-being by partnering with Alameda County Planning and Public Health Departments to develop a Community Health and Wellness Element for their General Plan.
Provided by the Alameda County Community Development Agency
The General Plan Health Element process is part of the Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI). Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley created EALI to increase community participation in the decision-making process and to engage populations that have long been under-represented. EALI’s goal is to develop a blueprint for achieving residents’ shared vision of development, growth, infrastructure, and environmental management for the Eden Area covering Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Fairview, and San Lorenzo’s combined 130,000 residents.
This Health Element will be the topic of discussion at a community meeting - “Ashland & Cherryland: Planning for a Healthy Future”- set for 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the REACH Ashland Youth Center, 16335 E. 14th Street, San Leandro. The meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish; child care, healthy snacks, and youth activities will be provided. The REACH Ashland Youth Center is wheelchair accessible.
Ashland and Cherryland are unincorporated areas bordered by Hayward, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley. People of color comprise 85% of the residents in Ashland and 80% of Cherryland residents. In both communities youth and young adults, and foreign-born persons comprise a large percentage of the population.
The community health and wellness discussion may consider health outcomes such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and asthma among Ashland and Cherryland residents, as well as social conditions, including access to quality schools and healthcare, stress, affordable housing, and public safety. What infrastructure or support is needed to increase employment, help the homeless, inspire physical activity, and enhance access to healthy foods?
Ashland/Cherryland each has diverse community services and resources, including schools, churches, day cares, and parks. What will it take to enhance or replicate those to improve the quality of life?
Residents and others are welcome to attend and share their ideas on building a viable, livable community. For more information about the initiative visit www.ashlandcherryland.org.
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