Healthy Communities of the Capital Area

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is a non-profit public health organization working to improve quality of life through tobacco and substance use prevention, nutrition education, youth empowerment, increasing local food access, and more. 

Happy, thriving, interconnected people, organizations, and communities who are empowered to improve their quality of life.

Thank you for your input! This past year, dozens of community members helped HCCA identify local public health and quality of life needs. These priorities, balanced with local public health data, will inform HCCA’s work for the foreseeable future.

CHIP Priority Areas

1. Community Connectedness 
  • older adults living in isolation
  • and/or experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s
  • free, family-friendly events for all
  • overall sense of community connectedness – intergenerational
2. Equity 
  • poverty as root a cause for many/most issues
3. Traditional Public Health Issues 
  • substance use prevention, including vaping and behavioral health
  • physical activity
  • nutrition
  • access to healthy foods
4. Climate 
  • impacts on health – heat, ticks, air/water quality, weather events

Transportation and housing were identified as priority areas that are outside of HCCA’s scope of work, but will be integrated as feasible and appropriate.

Thank you to The Bingham Program for generously supporting this project. Next steps include setting a timeline and goals, and identifying partners and resources to meet the goals. Reach out if you want to get involved! 

What is Public Health?

News

Cony Key Club Educates 7th, 8th Grade

Cony Key Club Educates 7th, 8th Grade

Summary Augusta's Cony High School students saw the concerning amount of vaping among their peers, and called in Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) to help do something about it. The students, members of Key Club, gathered 350 seventh and eighth grade...

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Declutter

Declutter

Spring is right around the corner! In just a few short days the sun will be shining, birds chirping, and plants sprouting. Spring is a great time to tackle some of those projects shelved during the winter. It’s also a great time to clean, declutter, and refresh your...

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Get in Touch. Get Involved.

Want to get involved with community health?

Reach out to us to set something up!

11 Mechanic Street Gardiner, ME 04345

Call Us: (207) 588-5354