Dearborn nonprofit forges relationships to inspire healthy living

August 15, 2023

Summary: Residents of Dearborn – particularly Arab Americans, refugees, and immigrants – are finding new, culturally competent ways to eat healthy and move more, thanks to the efforts of the nonprofit Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities (LAHC).

Challenge: Like many in urban areas, Dearborn residents may struggle to access fresh, healthy food or to find safe, enjoyable opportunities for physical activity. But in Dearborn, home to one of the largest Arab-American populations in the country, these challenges are greater due to unique cultural needs. For example, many Muslim Dearborn residents may need to seek out halal food, and many Muslim women in Dearborn may struggle to find physical activity opportunities where they can comfortably wear a hijab and exercise with other women.

Solution: Through Michigan Fitness Foundation SNAP-Ed funding, LAHC has found a variety of ways to successfully respond to their community’s unique needs. For example, recipes used in LAHC’s cooking classes use halal ingredients to ensure they meet Islamic dietary guidelines. Because of SNAP-Ed work done in collaboration with Dearborn Public Schools, the district adopted a policy so that community organizations can use school facilities for programming. Now, LAHC can offer women-only fitness classes in safe spaces where Muslim women wearing hijabs feel comfortable to exercise together.

Through Michigan Fitness Foundation SNAP-Ed funding, LAHC has found a variety of ways to successfully respond to their community’s unique needs. For example, recipes used in LAHC’s cooking classes use halal ingredients to ensure they meet Islamic dietary guidelines. Because of SNAP-Ed work done in collaboration with Dearborn Public Schools, the district adopted a policy so that community organizations can use school facilities for programming. Now, LAHC can offer women-only fitness classes in safe spaces where Muslim women wearing hijabs feel comfortable to exercise together.

LAHC uses the messaging platform WhatsApp as a way to develop meaningful connections with its SNAP-Ed program participants. With the app, they can share tips on where and how to access healthy, nutritious food and physical activity opportunities and gather feedback. In addition to event information and registration links, people also receive reminders, abbreviated versions of LAHC’s social media posts, bilingual recipes, and nutrition tips.

LAHC also collaborated with Healthy Dearborn, Beaumont Hospital, and Dearborn Public Schools’ Communities In Schools of Michigan affiliate to bring StoryWalk^® exhibits to the community in four locations across Dearborn. StoryWalk^® is a movement and literacy building initiative that features children’s books with healthy messages. Book pages reproduced on outdoor signage are then placed along walking routes. It is an innovative way for families to enjoy reading and being active together. LAHC’s four StoryWalks^® each featured a different book. With permission from the authors, LAHC provided Arabic translation for the book to be displayed in both English and Arabic.

Another LAHC SNAP-Ed initiative involves collaborating with the Healthy Dearborn coalition on its Dearborn Healthy Streets initiative. Healthy Streets aims to increase physical activity along the streets by putting up signage and placing barrels in select areas to encourage motorists to slow down. Through this initiative, LAHC makes it easier for people to practice the healthy behaviors LAHC teaches them in direct education classes.

“Whenever we’re running a program or connecting with Healthy Dearborn to work on initiatives, we always have our diverse, multicultural families that make up our community in mind. We make sure that everyone is represented, that they’re able to participate and take advantage of whatever it is we’re offering,” said LAHC Healthy Living Program Manager, Kelly Citron.

Sustaining success: Many Dearborn moms who connected through LAHC WhatsApp groups have built so.ial connections that have long outlasted the LAHC programs that brought them together. Creating social networks that extend beyond their SNAP-Ed programming has been significant for mothers, especially over the last few years with the pandemic limiting social interactions. StoryWalks^®, which feature books with health-related themes, have helped to start community conversations about growing plants and improving the environment. And LAHC’s Healthy Streets initiative has drawn thank-yous, questions, and requests for information from residents as they enjoy a more walkable, bikeable community