LiveWell Photovoice image to action event held in Walsenburg

by Cindy Campbell
HUERFANO — Recently, LiveWell Huerfano County recruited individuals from Gardner, La Veta, and Walsenburg to participate in the Photovoice project. The project deputized participants as photo journalists to identify issues that impact the health of their own community. Elaine Borton, of Sage Productions, provided project participants with cameras and sent them to all corners of the county with an assignment to capture images that impact the health of their neighborhood.
Participants brought back cameras filled with images of barriers to and facilitators of Healthy Eating and Active Living. From these pictures, the project members identified four themes related to issues of health in the region; Access to Healthy Food, Economic Development, Community Pride, and Access to Physical Activity.
On March 14th, these themes were the foundation for a work session entitled the Image to Action Event. Over 85 residents throughout the County attended the event which was held at the Huerfano County Community Center in Walsenburg. The evening included; a healthy and yummy meal catered by The Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center (Rosewood Café), a photo presentation, guest speaker (Kyle Legleiter from Colorado Health Foundation), and discussion.
The discussion centered on the issues identified by Photovoice participants and included steps that can be taken to improve the health of Huerfano County. These steps were included in an action plan being created that will be used as part of a three year LiveWell Community Strategic Plan followed by five more years of support. The ongoing support from LiveWell Colorado will enable Huerfano County to pursue this action plan and address these issues of public health and quality of life for years to come.
The Image to Action Event does not mark an end to the Photovoice project. An exhibition of photos on story boards will travel to a variety of locations in Huerfano County. The traveling exhibit is intended to raise awareness and engage citizens, leaders and officials who can address issues that have been framed by the local participants.
If you would like to learn more about LiveWell Huerfano County, join one of the task forces or serve as a host for the traveling photo exhibition, please contact Cindy Campbell at 719-738-5200 Ext. 406 or ccampbell@sprhc.org.