Introduction
By GRETA SHUSTER
The OneCranston Health Equity Zone (HEZ), utilizing grant funds from the Rhode Island Department of Health, has generously donated five bicycle racks to the Cranston YMCA. This initiative was made possible through a partnership with The Steel Yard in Olneyville, where student apprentices constructed and installed the racks.
Addressing Health Disparities
The OneCranston HEZ was established in 2019 to tackle health disparities within the City of Cranston. By forming working groups that include stakeholders and local residents, the organization identifies areas needing improvement. One notable group, the Our Built Environment group, recognized the necessity for enhanced biking infrastructure and aimed to introduce community bike racks.
Community Impact
The Cranston YMCA serves patrons of all ages who bike to their facility. Karen Santilli, CEO of Greater Providence YMCA, expressed gratitude towards the OneCranston HEZ for their significant contribution: “Your commitment to promoting health and wellness is deeply appreciated and will greatly benefit our community.”
Community Needs Assessment
“In our last community needs assessment, about 1/3 of the respondents indicated an interest in biking and walking and wanting more resources to ensure a safe experience,” stated OneCranston HEZ Initiative Director Andrea Champagne. “Providing updated racks in such a central location at an organization that serves a wide variety of people, particularly bike-riding youth and teens, aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Additional Support
In addition to the bike racks, the Cranston Police Department donated 30 bike helmets to the Cranston YMCA to support children participating in the Race4Chase Kids Triathlon program.
“Both the HEZ and the YMCA collaborate frequently with the police, who often donate bike helmets to kids in the community,” said Champagne. “We requested new bike helmets for all the children involved in the triathlon program, and they agreed!”
Collaboration and Community Spirit
“The bike racks were a great way to connect the helmets provided by the police with anyone using the Y,” noted Ivy Swinski, project manager at the OneCranston HEZ. She highlighted the collaboration among various organizations that made these initiatives possible.
“Any time we can get several community stakeholders collaborating together, it is a great day! The willingness of so many organizations in Cranston to work together is both exciting and inspiring,” Champagne added.
Race4Chase Program
Race4Chase is part of the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation, honoring Chase Kowalski, one of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy in 2012. This six-week summer program teaches children ages 6-12 the fundamentals of swimming, cycling, running, strength training, and flexibility. It provides a safe, healthy, non-competitive environment to discover the sport of triathlon and encourages them to aim high in sports and life. The program culminates in a regional finale event, with Rhode Island’s finale taking place at Fort Adams in Newport on Aug. 11.
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