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Overview
HEALTHY DUPAGE
Healthy DuPage was formed in 1999 as part of the international Healthier Communities movement. It is a grassroots, regional planning and implementation organization that addresses not only the physical health needs in DuPage County but also identifies and addresses other broad health issues related to socioeconomic, mental and environmental dimensions of life in the communities. It is a not-for-profit organization and receives funding from a variety of sources.
CHARACTER AND VALUES ACTION TEAM
Action Teams were formed at the April 23, 1999 Healthy DuPage Stakeholders meeting. As one of the seven initiatives that were established, this Action Team identified the need to enhance the character and values of the residents of the County, particularly the youth, as a way to improve the overall health of the County. After several months of researching the needs and what was already being done, the initiative was ‘commissioned’ by Healthy DuPage in August 2000.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT COALITION
The countywide Coalition has been meeting regularly since November 2000. A part-time Director and Coordinator and an Executive Committee lead the Coalition. Private business and foundations fund this initiative. Besides serving as a coordinator and resource for each community, the Coalition works directly with countywide organizations.
LOCAL COMMUNITY COALITIONS
Independent groups began forming in 1997 in individual communities to plan and implement the strategies and activities for their own community. They are composed of representatives from many parts of the community: schools, social service agencies, government (i.e. police, fire, parks departments, etc.), hospitals, businesses, and civic, faith, and youth organizations.
OUR VISION
To be a county where core ethical values, which form the basis of good character, are consistently taught, promoted, supported, and modeled by individuals and community organizations. This begins in our homes, is reinforced in the schools and supported throughout the community.
OUR MISSION
To establish and maintain an alliance that consists of representatives of the communities in DuPage County that are involved in character development initiatives.
To foster a common language so that shared values may be recognized, discussed and supported across community boundaries.
To provide a forum for the sharing of information and ideas regarding programs, concepts and implementation.
To serve as a resource for program development, measurement and evaluation.
OUR GOALS
- To encourage, facilitate, and coordinate the adoption of community-based character development initiatives in all of DuPage County.
- To foster the establishment of multi-sector, character development coalitions in every community.
- To establish a resource center of sample character development materials.
- To coordinate the character development efforts throughout the County by working with countywide organizations.
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