Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is pleased to announce that the Healthy Kids Health on the Move for Equity (HOME) Program has been named this year’s recipient of the esteemed Lori Chow Memorial Award by Health Promotion Ontario. This prestigious award celebrates exceptional health promotion initiatives that make a meaningful difference in individuals’ lives and enhance overall well-being within Ontario.
Recognized for its significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of Thunder Bay residents, HOME is a collaborative effort led by TBDHU, Our Kids Count, the City of Thunder Bay Recreation and Culture Division, and Lakehead University’s School of Kinesiology. These core partners have implemented the HOME program in the Windsor Street, Academy Heights, Minnesota Park, and Westfort neighbourhoods.
HOME operates under the guidance of a diverse steering committee and is supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, along with valuable in-kind contributions from local community partners. The collaboration focuses on providing tailored programs and services at the neighbourhood level, and addresses barriers such as cost, childcare, and transportation.
Rachel Bayes, Program Coordinator at TBDHU, expressed the importance of the project. "The Healthy Kids HOME Program has been instrumental in providing programs and services to children and families,” says Bayes. “Since the project started in 2020, more than 14,000 adults and children have participated in Healthy Kids programming. The high level of engagement from families highlights the relevance of the programs offered and the trust we have built in the community. The combined efforts of our partner organizations have been pivotal to the success of the HOME program," added Bayes.
The award is named in honour and memoriam of Lori Chow, who was a dedicated member of Health Promotion Ontario, and pays tribute to collaborative initiatives embodying her passion and significant contributions to public health. This provincial award has a local connection, as Chow served as Director of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention at TBDHU. Lori was a driving force in advancing health promotion provincially, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire practitioners province-wide. -30- For more information: TBDHU Media Line 807-625-7994 or news@tbdhu.com