Tampa, Fla. – More than 700 adults in the University Area neighborhood will benefit from a $48,000 grant awarded to University Area Community Development Corporation’s (CDC’s) Get Moving! program by the Simply Healthcare Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 25th.
Get Moving! is a wellness program that focuses on various aspects of an individual’s health: physical, emotional, mental, nutritional and/or spiritual. Funds will be used to expand programming into Harvest Hope Park; a seven-acre, resident-friendly development in the heart of the University Area Community that encourages family play, healthy eating, environmental sustainability, education and community interaction. The park is owned by University Area CDC and, once complete, will include a community garden, teaching kitchen, multi-purpose sports field, playground, outdoor fitness stations, walking trails and a tilapia fish pond.
“Simply Healthcare is committed to helping consumers improve their health and well-being and to making a positive difference in the communities where we live and work,” said Lourdes Rivas, Simply Healthcare Plan president. “We value our partnership with University Area CDC and strongly believe that access to programs such as Get Moving! will promote healthy activities and provide consumers with the simple tools and resources to improve their quality of life.”
The University Area is comprised of neighborhoods utilizing the zip codes 33612 and 33613. Nearly 800 University Area adults are expected to be reached through this programming expansion.
“Being able to provide residents with this type of programming at Harvest Hope Park serves as another way to engage our community and bring about healthy, positive change,” said Sarah Combs, CEO & executive director of University Area CDC. “University Area residents are at a high-risk for health issues like hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Additionally, a recent community survey found that only 38 percent of University Area adults currently participate in extra-curricular activities, but they are eager for more opportunities to engage in fitness classes and sports leagues. This partnership with the Simply Foundation allows us take effective action on an issue that our community overwhelmingly views as high priority.”
The Get Moving! program strives to promote neighborhood sustainability by offering healthy activities through organized sports and educational classes. From indoor basketball leagues in the community center to flag football and soccer in the community park, all organized sports activities are available to residents, whether novice or experienced. Also, senior fitness classes paired with nutritional cooking and gardening courses, ensure that participants are encouraged at every level in life.
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ABOUT SIMPLY HEALTHCARE PLANS
Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc. is a Florida licensed health maintenance organization with health plans for people enrolled in Medicaid and/or Medicare programs. Simply Healthcare Plans and its affiliates, Better Health and Clear Health Alliance serve more than 700,000 Medicare and Medicaid members in 60 Florida counties. We have many plans including Medicaid Plans, a Medicaid Specialty Plan and thirteen Medicare Advantage Plans including Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Members get regular plan benefits and expanded health benefits and services at no extra cost. Simply has a large network of participating providers with over 10,000 primary and specialty care doctors, more than 165 hospitals and hundreds of ancillary providers and pharmacies throughout Florida. Every day over 775 Simply employees in our Coral Gables, Sunrise and Tampa offices are working to help keep health care simple so members can live a healthy life. For More information about Simply, please visit our website at www.simplyhealthcareplans.com.
ABOUT SIMPLY HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
Simply Healthcare Foundation is a philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. Together, with local, regional and national organizations, Simply Healthcare Foundation works to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem and its affiliated health plans serve. Simply Healthcare Foundation funding is focused on strategic initiatives working to address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative with five areas of focus: Healthy Heart, Cancer Prevention, Healthy Maternal Practices, Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, and Healthy Active Lifestyle. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Celebrating its 20th year of serving the community, University Area Community Development Corporation (CDC) offers support for thousands of Tampa residents through youth programs, adult education and resource assistance. Its primary mission is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. Funds provided through grants, private contributions and public appropriations help University Area residents participate in most programs free of charge. For more information about University Area CDC, visit www.uacdc.orgor call 813.558.5212.