Canyon Ranch Institute Savannah Partnership: Building a healthy community one partnership at a time

Developing and sustaining community-based and community-engaging partnerships is at the heart of Canyon Ranch Institute’s (CRI) proven and evidence-based approach to improving health and well-being in low-income communities. In Savannah, GA, CRI leads the Canyon Ranch Institute Savannah Partnership (CRISP) that includes private philanthropy, a federally qualified health center, multiple for-profit businesses, a local arts and entertainment magazine, a thrift-shopper publication, churches, local government, universities, the City of Savannah, the Chatham County School District, and thousands of individuals to work together to improve health, well-being, and health literacy. Savannah, while known for its legacy of arts, culture, and food, is in the ‘stroke belt’ across the Southern United States. More than 25% of adults in Savannah are overweight or obese.

Since its inception in 2013, CRISP has steadily grown in active members. The program launched with the evidence-based CRI Life Enhancement Program at Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Inc. (a federally qualified health center). This effort quickly expanded to include the volunteer participation of individuals, businesses, government, media, and non-profit organizations. Current efforts include the CRI Healthy Garden at Trustees’ Garden, site of free bi-weekly sessions on gardening and healthy foods, free events to learn about healthy cooking on a budget, and free yoga and exercise sessions held at churches and community centers. Additionally, a publishing firm has donated space in two weekly publications, “Connect Savannah” and “Savannah Pennysaver,” to help CRISP communicate about these events and to send health literate messages about how to lead a healthy lifestyle.