By Matthew Sotlar / The Jambar
Youngstown State University-based organization Guin Fit will host a summit focused on creating professional connections March 27, featuring presentations from local healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders and government officials.
Guin Fit, created in 2023, is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health on a five-year partnership. Project manager Kelley Frazier said Guin Fit focuses on different aspects of health, safety and nutrition.
“We focus on policy systems and environmental changes in three different priority areas — food service and nutrition, safe and accessible physical activity and family and healthy weight,” Frazier said.
In addition, Frazier said Guin Fit also focuses on community safety.
“Mainly, we focus on making sure that our streets and our communities are safe enough for people to get to destinations using alternate modes of transportation other than cars,” Frazier said. “‘Is it safe for people to walk to destinations?,’ ‘Is it safe for people to bike to destinations?’ If not, ‘How can we propose safe changes?’”
Along with funding from the CDC and REACH, Guin Fit has numerous local partnerships. Frazier said Guin Fit is open to working with any area organization.
“Pretty much all of what we do is community-based,” Frazier said. “We work a lot with community partners, Healthy Community Partnership is one. We’re doing some work with the city, different schools and agencies that recognize what we do and that want to work with us. We work with whoever wants to work with us.”
Frazier added that, while Guin Fit is a nonprofit that does not sponsor events, its happy to work with the community.
“We don’t necessarily sponsor, but we support,” Frazier said. “We more so roll up our sleeves and we get involved however it is most appropriate for that particular organization. Whether we’re putting boots on the ground or doing the work, whatever it is, we assist.”
Frazier said the summit will focus on overcoming challenges in overall health.
“We’re coming together and we’re having a discussion about public health as a whole,” Frazier said. “How mental health, physical health, all of social work have barriers. ‘What can we do to create solutions and overcome these barriers?’”
Guin Fit is open to student involvement. Frazier said any students, faculty or staff interested in joining Guin Fit can contact her via email.
“We employ student workers, so they definitely further our initiatives, and because what we do is community-based, absolutely anybody can get involved,” Frazier said. “They can reach out to me, and from that point, we’ll have a conversation about what they’re interested in, and from that point, we’ll decide what area we can best utilize their assistance.”
For more information on Guin Fit’s programs, inquiries can be made at ysu.edu.