Collaboration is key

Dawn Marie Smith enacts change with Be Healthy Berrien

By TONY WITTKOWSKI

HP Local News Editor

ST. JOSEPH — Dawn Marie Smith knows how important it is for people to collaborate with one another.

Smith took over as the director of Be Healthy Berrien in 2020 and is also a staff member of the United Way of Southwest Michigan.

Be Healthy Berrien operates as a collective impact initiative aimed at making Berrien County residents healthier, by enacting changes to policies, systems and the environment. She earned her bachelor of business administration from Western Michigan University.

Smith sat down recently with Herald-Palladium Local News Editor Tony Wittkowski to discuss her role at Be Heathy Berrien.

What made you want to be the director of Be Healthy Berrien?

Like many individuals in this world, the pandemic changed my point of view on a lot of things. In that learning experience, it shifted my energy and focus to look at the community I live in and better understand it – and how I could play a more supportive role to improve my community. I have a belief that the way communities are built and supported directly influences how people work, live and thrive.

What were you doing before this?

Prior to this, I worked for Whirlpool Corp. for more than a couple decades.

What’s your favorite part of the job?

Collaboration. Getting to meet individuals from different sectors. It’s a way to better understand the issues that face our communities and how the work at Be Healthy Berrien and other service organizations are collectively working together with the goal of removing health disparities and improving overall well-being.

When it comes to collaboration, it’s about seeing it through at the resident level, business level, nonprofit level, and working with municipalities – understanding all of the influences and individuals.

What does the average day for you look like?

The average day would be a number of different meetings with various partners who are focused on food access, active living (like parks and trails). I work on various projects that are important to our end goal as an organization. Our vision is to have a thriving community where nutritious food and active living is part of every day life.

What’s your organization’s affiliation with the United Way?

United Way of Southwest Michigan works to create a united and resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs and thrives. As the fiduciary for Be Healthy Berrien, United Way advances its mission by promoting healthy food access and active living through policy, systems and environmental change. Through funding provided by Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals, Be Healthy Berrien implements strategies that promote healthy eating, encourage active living, and address the root causes of health disparities to improve health outcomes.

The Be Healthy Berrien steering committee includes leaders from the Corewell Health, YMCA of Greater Michiana, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Berrien County Health Department and United Way of Southwest Michigan.

See SMITH, page A6

ADAWN MARIE S MITH

Dawn Marie Smith took over as the director of Be Healthy Berrien in 2020 and is also a staff member of the United Way of Southwest Michigan.

Ron DeKett / HP correspondent

From page A1

What are some of the ways Be Healthy Berrien is addressing health disparities and improving population health?

No one single organization can do this alone. Each one has their specific mission, but in collaboration with them you can find and align with them using shared goals.

For example, there’s the farm hub feasibility study. This initiative is designed to explore ways to strengthen the regional food system. We’re leading a feasibility study to explore the viability of a year-round retail outlet at the Benton Harbor Fruit Market that could provide direct market opportunities for small and mid-sized farms, while also integrating with food security programs and nutrition education to improve access to nutrient-dense, locally grown food.

We’re advancing two regional trail projects, the Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail expansion in Niles and the Niles-Buchanan Trail Connection, through strong municipal partnerships and community engagement. These efforts expand access to safe recreation and active transportation, increasing opportunities for physical activity and non-motorized travel.

We’re piloting the Community Leadership Academy to support resident-led health solutions in Berrien County. This 10-week program hosted at the Corewell Center for Wellness equips participants to lead neighborhood projects in food access, walkability and safety, while cultivating civic engagement and supporting local emerging leaders.

With the Healthy Corner Stores, the YMCA of Greater Michiana is transforming local corner stores into community health hubs by offering fresh produce, nutrition education and healthy food incentives, supporting both food access and small business development.

If anyone reading this is curious about how they can help with BHB’s mission, what would you say?

It starts at that individual level. Local food matters, look for farm labels when shopping for produce. Its fall! Don’t miss the chance to explore regional parks and trails. It’s a perfect season to get outside and enjoy your community.

Contact: twittkowski@TheHP. com, 932-0358.

Dawn Marie Smith, director of Be Healthy Berrien, rides her bike in 2023 after the launch of Healthy Corner Stores with the YMCA of Greater Michiana.

Don Campbell / HP file photo