Advocacy & Support

By definition advocacy means “to give aid to a cause” or “to act in favor of a cause, idea, or policy;” In either case, advocacy seeks to influence social, political or environmental change by enabling people to have a direct say in the issues that affect their lives. BLEND’s advocacy efforts represents a series of actions and steps that will help change the current situation from “what is” to “what should be.” In this case, it’s healthier kids, families and communities.

Education and awareness, in conjuction with integrating the use of social media tools, will help build and maintain a loyal support base that can be mobilized to advance advocacy efforts.  Building a well organized base of support large enough to advocate for policy, systems and environmental changes will help shape and define conversations critical in reaching an ever widening field of influence and accomplishing goals.  Thus, continuing beyond the efforts of BLEND creating healthier communities and systems that will support families and generations to come.

Complete Streets
An off-shoot of the National and Minnesota Complete Streets Coalitions, a local Complete Streets effort is working hard to make streets safer and more accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the St. Cloud area.

• Complete Streets Handout (Printable Version)
• National Complete Streets Coalition
• Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition

Safe Routes To School (SRTS)
Safe Routes To School is a federally funded program, which provides States the opportunity to award communities with funding to improve conditions so children are able to walk and bike to school.

• Safe Routes to School Handout (Printable Version)
• National Center for Safe Routes to School
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• Safe Routes to School – MN

Walk-At-School
Walk-At-School is a grassroots approach aimed at  helping schools make a positive contribution to children’s health.  The following resources are designed for you to learn more about this program, why BLEND supports it, and why your additional support is crucial for it’s success.

• Walk-At-School Advocacy Handout (Printable Version)
• General Overview of Walk-At-School

Greater MN Regional Parks & Trails Coalition (GMRPT)
Greater MN Regional Parks & Trails Coalition (GMRPT) consists of rural cities, counties, townships, and agencies advocating for equal funding for regional parks and trails in Greater MN.

• GMRPT Advocacy Handout (Printable Version)
• General Overview of GMRPT

S.H.I.P.
SHIP stands for Statewide Health Improvement Program.  Let us Introduce you to SHIP and why OUR (yours and BLEND’s) involvement is key to it’s success.

• Communication Principles and Talking Points (Printable Version)
• SHIP Progress Brief: March 2011 (Printable Version)
• SHIP Fact Sheet for Benton County (Printable Version)
• SHIP Fact Sheet – Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice (Printable Version)

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