Blue Zones Project Blueprint
In January 2023, sector committees—comprised of community members focused on each of the sector areas of schools, worksites, community policy, restaurants & grocery stores, faith-based organizations, and individual engagement—came together to create an implementation plan for achieving the strategies outlined in this Blueprint. These sector committees—led by committee co-chairs who together compose the leadership team—play an important role in improving community well-being by engaging organizations and individuals, advocating for policy change, and increasing community awareness and engagement.
Commitment to Transparency
We believe in being transparent with our community. This project is as much ours as it is yours. We are in this work together. Here are a few ways we demonstrate our commitment to transparency:
- We clearly outline our project's process timelines, so our community knows exactly what to expect at each stage of the project.
- We keep our community informed throughout the project, providing regular updates and communicating any changes or unexpected challenges.
- We are honest and upfront about any limitations or constraints that may impact the project, and work with our community/partners to find creative solutions.
- We welcome feedback and encourage open communication, so our residents feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns throughout the project.
Join one of our Sector Committees by Completing the Application:
Communities across the U.S. are significantly lowering healthcare costs, improving productivity, fostering economic development, and enjoying a higher quality of life through Blue Zones Project.
Over a span of five years, local leadership and the Blue Zones team will launch and implement policy work and engagement initiatives in the Westside, Northside, and East Jax neighborhoods. As background, the City of Jacksonville and a coalition of community partners announced the launch of the Blue Zones Project in Jacksonville in June to help residents live better, longer lives. Blue Zones Project Jacksonville is a comprehensive initiative that transforms the environments where people live, work, learn, and play to measurably improve community well-being, resilience, and economic vitality. The Jacksonville initiative is supported by Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, the City of Jacksonville, Florida Blue, Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Mayo Clinic in Florida, UF Health Jacksonville, Community First Credit Union, and United Way of Northeast Florida.
Blue Zones Project Jacksonville is adding members from these communities to our steering committee to help guide our efforts forward over the next six years.
We are looking for passionate and involved community leaders to help us move our work forward in zip codes 32206, 32208, 32209, 32210, and 32244. These committee members would bring their institutional knowledge and talents into a committee(s) of their choice giving support to the project as it moves forward. Our goal is to help our community become more livable, walkable, and bikeable – a healthier place to live, work, group up, and grow old.
Ideal candidates:
- Are trusted and respected by their communities
- Are committed to community over self, personal preferences or ambitions
- Represent what the community truly needs
- Are open to others’ points of view and
- Have demonstrated a commitment to improving their community.
We are asking for approximately 5-7 hours per month of your time for meetings, working groups, events, support, etc.
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Thank you for your commitment to making Smoke Free Parks a reality in our city Kevin Carrico! We appreciate you championing this effort so our residents can live better, longer. Thanks also to the work of our partners. This type of community transformation, does not happen without you!
