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The Alliance is the catalyst for its missions. It serves as a cross-sector convener and strategic partner to solve problems across multi-faceted complex health, social, and economic challenges. The Alliance advocates for community voice and brings together leaders to help develop solutions to improve the lives of Greater Coatesville residents. They implement this through their Community-Designed Solutions Initiative. This approach builds on community ideas and solutions to be presented to a cross-section of government, nonprofit, business, community sectors, and the public. From February - June fifty (50) ideas will be presented and awarded financial grants of up to $2,500, thus stimulating investment in “public-private partnerships to advance community health.”

One of The Alliance’s initiatives, The Healthy Living Greater Coatesville “works in partnership with Natural Lands and the City of Coatesville to ensure residents have healthy spaces to live, access to health and wellness programming, and availability of fresh, healthy, and affordable food.” The Healthy Living Greater Coatesville initiative has had many accomplishments to date, including:

• Patton Park had a Kaboom! Playground built for the community, supported by the generous financial and volunteer support of PECO and the Applestone Foundation.

• Palmer Park was the benefactor of the “Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces” grant program, which is a collaboration between the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company.

• Palmer Park received an outdoor pavilion, built in 2022 for residents, local organizations, and businesses to gather and connect in a public space.

• Abdala Park recently received a grant from the Cleveland Cliffs Foundation to support the development of sidewalks for ADA compliance, fencing around the baseball field, and lighting for increased usage and safety.

• Abdala Park recently received a grant from American Water Charitable Foundation for the construction of an outdoor fitness center, free for the community to use.

When asked about the importance of having clean, safe parks, Alyssa Kotzmann said, “The importance of clean and safe public parks influences holistic forms of health and wellness activities. Public spaces, like parks and playgrounds, foster active play, influence social cohesion, and bring multiple generations together. Clean, safe, and accessible parks allow youth, adults, and families to expand fitness opportunities; increase equitable accessibility and usage; and increase awareness and participation of physical and mental health through exercise.” Additionally, the Healthy Living Greater Coatesville Initiative also focuses on the importance of healthy eating. Nicholas Torres said, “The Alliance began its Coatesville Food Truck Project during the COVID-19 Pandemic through an unrestricted

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