H.O.P.E. group to focus on health issues

— The H.O.P.E. - Health Outcomes Positive Effects - Health Commission will begin a new program this year and members have chosen a new health issue in the county on which to focus.

In 2016, the H.O.P.E. Commission focused on teenage pregnancy, and the group said it will continue to work on the issue by starting a mentoring program for expectant teen mothers. Toni Greenlee, the administrative director of the Christian Health Center, said that the program in Ouachita County will be under the guidance of H.O.P.E. Commissioner Savannah Thomas.

The program, "Birthing Project," is a national organization that serves babies and families who need health care and social support. The organization began in Arkansas in 1999 in Little Rock.

Since the project began, it has spread to many other communities in Arkansas and the nation. The organization lists its goal as: "to improve birth outcomes by providing direction, emotional support, and education for women and their families."

Greenlee stated that the Ouachita County program will accept 12 girls, and each girl will have a mentor. Mentors will have a 12-to-18- month commitment to the mentee, and will follow them through pregnancy and a few months afterwards.

Mentors will make sure their assigned mentee attends pre-natal appointments, takes their vitamins, and other needs she may have.

Mentors are meant to be a person that the girl can talk to about subjects she may not be comfortable talking to someone else about.

Greenlee said that everyone in the program will meet once a month to talk about their experiences.

The program is currently looking for girls who may be interested in participating in the program and mentors as well. Mentors will participate in a class before working with their mentees.

Greenlee also said that in May, which is Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month, the commission will be conducting an essay contest for seniors in high school to get a teenager’s prospective on what they think the obstacles of a teen parent are.

The winners of the contest will receive prizes.

Another health issue that the commission has chosen to focus on is obesity. Some of the ways the commission is choosing to fight obesity is programs like Walk Across Ouachita County, the community gardens and farmer’s market, and a cooking class.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield awarded the organization a mini-grant for the fight against obesity, Greenlee stated.

The H.O.P.E. Commission has also created a list of local fitness opportunities. The list includes the name, address, phone number, hours, and cost of local gyms and exercise classes. The information of several free exercise classes and outdoor walking tracks are listed as well.

According to the H.O.P.E. website, the commission works to improve the quality of life for every citizen in Ouachita County. The H.O.P.E commission lists its mission to empower the citizens of Ouachita County with the hope of a bright future and a healthy community.

The vision of the commission is that all citizens in Ouachita County achieve a greater sense of health and wellness. The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in the Green Room of the Ouachita County Medical Center.

The meetings are open to the public.

For more information, call 870-231-1111 or visit www.hopehealthcommission.com or the Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/HOPE-Health-Commission-of-Ouachita-County.

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