Introduction to Trip Leader
Hi everyone! My name is Cara Hawks, and I will be co-leading the Bear Breaks trip to Asheville this Spring Break! This is my first Bear Breaks trip, and I am excited to make an impact on the Asheville community with fellow MSU students.
Gentrification
Gentrification is the transformation of neighborhoods from low to high value. This process makes the area unaffordable for long time residents driving them out of the area. This causes displacement and has severe implications. Asheville is ranked high as a city experiencing gentrification due to their high cost living and low wages.
The places where individuals live, work and play impact our health. Displacement causes negative health effects including access to affordable housing, healthy food choices, transportation, and quality schools.
When individuals are given the right tools and circumstances, they can lead successful lives. Community programs are in place in Asheville to give under served populations the resources needed to continue to work, live and play effectively. Overall community health benefits from program initiatives like the ones in Asheville.
How Bear Breaks Impacts Asheville
This is where Bear Breaks comes in! The goal of our trip will be to recognize barriers impacting residents and their health in the Asheville area. We will be working with community based partners to enhance health initiative programs and their impact on the community.
Our group will be working with the YMCA and their nutritional outreach programs. The YMCA runs a mobile market and nutrition education programs for school age children. We will also be serving with Haywood Street Respite. Haywood Street Respite is a safe place for homeless individuals to get back on their feet after discharge from the hospital. With this partner, we will be making and serving a congregate meal with individuals staying at the respite. Our group will be partnering with the University of North Carolina Asheville to work on a sustainability related project as well.
My hope is that knowledge gained through this immersive experience can be applied toward enhancing the Springfield community through our local community health initiatives.