Our Mission
Catalyzing Communities is an innovative and research-based approach to decreasing obesity prevalence, improving health, and reducing related disparities in communities around the country. We work with multi-sector stakeholders to surface the systemic factors influencing child health and to identify and implement evidence-based, locally relevant solutions that work best for their communities to improve health and well-being of all children—now and for the rest of their lives.
The Catalyzing Communities Difference
Based on over two decades of high-level research
Based on over two decades of cutting-edge research from experts in nutrition science, obesity prevention, data science, and other disciplines from ChildObesity180, at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Proven, Replicable Systems Approach
Implements proven, replicable systems approach called Stakeholder-driven Community Diffusion in which stakeholders spread their knowledge throughout their social networks to bring about community-wide change.
Strong Collaborations
Strong collaborations in partner communities, from Greenville, South Carolina to Tucson, Arizona to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, helping to identify attainable goals and impact structural change.
Whole-of-Community Approach
Whole-of-community approach brings a core group of multisector leaders together to implement change from multiple organizations and levels.
National Partnerships
National partnerships with diverse organizations, including the Brookings Institution, Harlem Children’s Zone®, and the Boston College School of Social Work, which provide academic collaboration, technical assistance, and stewardship support.
Our Process
Catalyzing Communities develops deep and meaningful relationships with community partners and helps them mobilize a core group of multisector community leaders to improve the health of their community. We use facilitation and evaluation techniques grounded in systems science and help our partner communities to understand the complex, systemic factors influencing child health and identify high-impact opportunities for change.
existing network
Learn more about the other communities where Catalyzing Communities is already making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Greenville
South Carolina
Somerville
Massachusetts
Cuyahoga County
Ohio
East Boston
Massachusetts
Tucson
Arizona
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
Harlem
New York
Worcester
Massachusetts
Garfield Park (Chicago)
Illinois
