Georgia Institute of Technology

Community Health

The Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain aims to help students create sustainable communities, where humans and nature flourish in the present and future. One SLS Priority area concerning sustainable communities is Community Health, which focuses on achieving a holistic and communal understanding of health, in all intellectual, physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and social aspects of life.

‘I wanted to do more for people than just pray’: Pastor blends faith, farms to end food insecurity in black churches
Rev. Heber Brown III, from Baltimore, noticed an issue within his congregation; members were suffering from diet-related illnesses and many were living within a food desert. Seeking to make a change, Rev. Brown III launched The Black Church Food Security Network and immediately saw a difference. Rachel Nania talks with Rev. Brown III in this thought-provoking article. Consider volunteering with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance if interested in supporting community gardens.

In Atlanta, Breaking Down Barriers To Timely HIV Care
For those living with HIV/AIDS, acceptance of the diagnosis is only the first major hurdle to overcome. Many living with a positive status face harsh inequalities when seeking treatment, whether it be discrimination within the doctor's office, lack of access to affordable healthcare for treatment, or even lack of exposure to treatment options within some communities. Here and Now from NPR discusses those hurdles and the steps being taken to eliminate inequality for those seeking treatment.

Food banks crucial in cutting global emissions says report
Its no secret that food banks dramatically reduce the amount of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, up to 10.54 billion kg, through meal and food donation related programs. Thomas Barrett, of the Environmental Journal, discusses the importance of food banks for a communities health and well being. If interested in learning how to get involved locally, check out Klemis Kitchen, a GT food distribution initiative, and The Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Westside Future Fund Teams with AT&T Volunteer Program Believe Atlanta to enable ADA accessibility at Ashview Heights Urban Farm

Westside Future Fund (WFF), and Believe AtlantaSM, an Atlanta-based AT&T volunteer program, brought together approximately 500 AT&T employees to share their time and talents to bring major improvements at Truly Living Well (TLW) Collegetown Center for Natural Urban Architecture, which will help bring the urban farm in compliance with American Disability Act (ADA) standards and create a healthier green space for Westside residents.