AIM for CHangE Counties
Local residents are leveraging community connections, local experiences, and unique abilities to create citizen-led, comprehensive plans that impact positive, sustainable change with the help of AIM for CHangE!
Click below to find information about the AIM for CHangE program. For more information, please Alexis Hamilton at ahh3@msstate.edu.
Holmes County
The Holmes County Health Coalition currently involves the municipalities of Durant, Lexington, and Tchula, as well as the community of Ebenezer. Representation is diverse, as appointed and elected officials, private-sector employers, education professionals, and grassroots community leaders come together for discussion and collaboration on strategies to address obesity in the communities they proudly call home. During their first year of activity, coalition members have identified goals and strategies for implementation centered on active transportation policies/plans, recreational enhancements, and healthy food availability.
- Frances Bartee
- Mary Wilz
- Maria Shannon
- General Vann
- Robin McCrory
- William Primer Jr.
- Shintri Hathorn
- Johnnie Simmons
- Michael Fondren
- Melissa Griffin
- Ursula Perry
- Verkeisha Wilkes
- John C. Greer Jr.
- Calvin Head
- Henry Davis
- Maudie Wilcoxson
- Kenny Joiner
- Max McKinney
- Verlinda Alexander
Humphreys County
The Humphreys County Health Coalition currently includes two municipalities, Belzoni and Louise. Current membership reflects a mixture of elected officials, faith-based organizations, private citizens, grassroots community leaders, and nonprofit organizations. During their first year of activity, coalition members have identified goals and strategies for implementation centered on increased geographic and financial access to healthier food options, recreational enhancements, and active transportation policies/plans.
- Bertha Townsend
- Debbie Hill
- Solola Delaney
- Chester Dulaney
- Martha Shields
- Clara Reed
- Susie Croft
- Delores Harris
- Alma Custom
- Chandra Hines
- Lola Byest
- Carolyn Jackson
- Roscoe Shields
- Clifton Williams
- Wardell Walton
Issaquena County
The Issaquena County Health Coalition arose from the work of residents who fought months of the backwater flooding. They are now working together to find ways to enhance their communities. Supervisors, store owners, and citizens are banding together to aim for change. This small, yet vital, group is finding ways to bring healthy foods into the county through a convenience store and to increase physical activity in their communities.
- Stallard Williams
- Eddie Holcomb
- Kela Williams
- Emily Carter
- Dewayne Stewart Sr.
- Lisa Nipper
- Janet Whitfield
- Jowilla Secoy
- Stewart’s Grocery
- Delta Health Center
- The County Supervisor
- Sharkey Issaquena Health Network
Leflore County
The Leflore County Health Coalition is primarily centered in the municipality of Itta Bena. In addition to advancing the mission of the AIM for ChangE initiative, coalition members serve as elected officials, nonprofit community development officers, regional hospital administrators, and grassroots community leaders. During their first year of activity, coalition members have identified goals and strategies for implementation centered on active transportation policies/plans and recreational enhancements.
- Gladys Fant
- Beth Stevens
- Dee Jones
- Jo Ann Purnell
- Debra Hibbler
- Ruthie Robinson
- Rachel Splaingard
- Thelma Collins
- Clifton Williams
- Kevin Coogan
- Pamela Hilton
Quitman County
The Quitman County Health Coalition, primarily centered in the municipality of Marks, represents an ongoing collaboration between the MSU Carl Small Town Center and the county. Representatives spearheading this effort include historians, county government officials, and architectural experts. Goals in this county include infrastructural enhancements and policies/plans centered on active transportation.
- Joe Shegog
- Johnny Tullos
- Jesse Ellis
- Bettye Shaw
- Velma Wilson
- Pearlie Owen
- Hubert Foster
- Pamela McNutt
- Samuel N.
- Leah Kemp
- Hilliard Lackey
- Lynda Harris
- S. Matthews
- Greg Thomas
- Robert Anderson
- Teresa Tullos
- Sandra Jamison
- Beatrice Pryor
Sharkey County
The Sharkey County Health Coalition bears a great wealth of history in its community. This coalition thrives on creating change on many levels. Organizations already doing great work will be enhanced by the coalition’s efforts. This group aims to improve physical activity and increase capacity and feed the community through a food pantry.
- Carl Watley
- Frankie Morganfield
- Barbara Williams
- Lue Williams
- Nickie Parker
- Larry Bradford
- Ezell Williams
- Fred Miller
- Phyllis Adams
- Travis Gully
- JoAnn Williams
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church
- Delta Health Center
- City of Rolling Fork
- Cary Christian Center
- City of Anguilla
- City of Cary
- Issaquena Health Network
Sunflower County
The Sunflower County Health Coalition has a unique combination of people representing all parts of the county. From former state representatives to community citizens, they all want to advocate for change in their communities. They hope to increase healthy food access, introduce these foods to more children, and improve physical activity at local parks and in after-school programs.
- James Sample
- George Holland
- Carolyn O’Neal
- Gloria Dickerson
- Verna Ransom
- Scherrie Payne
- Leigh Lovelace
- Kate Gluckman
- Sara Thomas
- Leslie Johnson
- Deloris Coleman
- Dee Jones
- Larry Sibley
- Hope Credit Union
- Delta Health Alliance
- City of Drew
- City of Inverness
- City of Moorhead
- City of Indianola Recreation and Parks
- Sunflower County Freedom Project
- Sunflower County Board of Supervisors
- Sunflower County Consolidated School District
Washington County
The Washington County Health Coalition is a diverse group of involved citizens. Many members are involved in community, political, and educational entities. They want to create access to healthy foods in areas that don’t have stores and to introduce children to more fruits and vegetables through hands-on learning. Also, the coalition wants to increase physical activity in south Washington County, where there is no public fitness center.
- Pearlie Douglas
- Demalda Newsome
- Clara Adams
- Leslie Johnson
- Angela Mouldin
- Rufus Newsome
- Tasha Banks
- Helen Johnson
- Kristan Newsome
- Margret Evans
- Pandora Redmon
- Caroline Francisco
- Ryan Betz
- Grace Outreach Church
- Delta Health Alliance
- Delta EATS
- Newsome Farms
- Leland School District
- City of Hollandale
- Hearty Helping Food Pantry
Publications
News
JACKSON, Miss. -- For five years, AIM for CHangE has turned federal dollars into park updates, playgrounds, food pantries, ride-sharing programs and community produce gardens for underserved areas in Mississippi.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service recently received a second cycle of funding for a project that has worked to combat obesity by helping people eat healthier and participate in physical activity. The AIM for CHangE program was awarded a five-year, $4.4 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help continue efforts to combat obesity in 10 target counties.
A cross section of Belzoni society turned out to celebrate the opening of a new downtown attraction, a StoryWalk park that’s aimed at children but also welcomes adult interaction. Centennial Park on West Jackson Street in downtown Belzoni now hosts bright-yellow word art that invites visitors to “share.” Within the park is the area’s first StoryWalk, a combination of literacy and physical activity.
