Marion-Polk Food Share Community Gardens Program Director Ian Dixon-McDonald is working with The Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties on a Pioneering Healthier Communities initiative.

The YMCA of the USA recently selected the local YMCA as one of 10 communities to join the YMCAs nationwide campaign. A $64,000 grant targeting leadership training was awarded.

On Jan. 13, the organization introduced the initiative at Marion-Polk Food Share to more than two dozen community leaders.

Janice Naimy, a community wellness director at the Salem Family YMCA, and Dixon-McDonald, are charged with creating a leadership team tasked with narrowing the group's focus to a community health goal.

This will be an exciting project that we hope will have lasting results in creating a healthier community. Read more.