Roanoke - Healthy Hearts Initiative

Mission: Our mission is to empower the Roanoke community to address heart health disparities by promoting self-care, trust, and integrity.

Vision: We envision a future where the Roanoke community enjoys optimal health and wellness, characterized by empowered residents who actively advocate and develop solutions for themselves and others.

Our priority issues include:

Blood pressure control/heart disease and stroke prevention
Transportation
Safe housing
Mental health
Food access
Nutrition education
Joy and leisure

Roanoke Healthy Hearts Initiative membership: 12 members (8 representing the priority census tracts)

Words from our members:

“The VDH Healthy Heart Initiative is "thee oasis" in a Northwest desert! Providing and arming active community members with autonomy, solution-oriented resources, and funding to address a list of unmet needs in the NW community.

For years, residents of central NW have had to learn how to navigate outside of our community due to the lack of access to grocery stores, health clinics, an operable pharmacy and other basic necessities. Now with the help of VDH and its “community centered and led” initiative, needs will finally be met, residents will be empowered, and urgent work will begin.” -Ms. Marion Ware

“Part of our resilience is our ability to think for the greater good and work together” -Ms. Amazetta Anderson

“This is the time of us.” -Anonymous

“We are rooted in integrity.” -Ms. Brenda Petty