1. M o l l y H u n g e r f o r d a n d M i r i a m H o l b r o o k .
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank that National Kidney Foundation of Michigan for taking the time to
meet with us and discuss the current situation regarding nutritional education in SNAP-ED
eligible public housing communities. This is a new direction for the Kidney Foundation and
we are honored to be a part of this new program. We are thankful for the opportunity we
have had to engage with the Hikone community to understand their needs and to further
understand the best way to engage this community in embracing healthy living habits.
***Molly Hungerford and MiriamHolbrook currently work for non-profits whose main goals areto work with
vulnerablepopulations in order to reduce the number of health disparities and health complicationsin these
communities. Molly Hungerford is currently workingfor the National Kidney Foundation implementing the
Food and Fun after school programin the Hikone community. However, Miriamwas recruited to help
implement an enhanced community engagement plan thatbetter meets the needs of the community.
Community Action Network and the
Hikone Community Food and Fun After
School Program

2. 2
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan has served the state for over 58 years. Its mission is to
preventkidneydiseaseandhelpimprovequalityof life.Since Kidneydisease is mostly preventable, the
foundationhaspartneredwithseveral organizations and communities throughout Michigan, running a
varietyof programsaimedat fightingthe rootcausesof the disease- diabetes,obesityandhypertension.
Most of the people suffering from these conditions live in vulnerable communities, which are usually
dependentonfoodassistance,have lessaccesstoavarietyof nutritiousfoods,andfeweropportunities
to stay physically active.
The Food and Fun program is currently being implemented in the Hikone Public Housing Community,
made up of minorityhouseholdseligible forSNAPbenefits.The programisfundedthroughthe Michigan
Nutrition Network and involves a partnership between the National Kidney Foundation and the
Community Action Network. Food and Fun uses a multi level engagement approach from two social
systemstheories.Social ecological model considersthe individual, community, and societal levels in its
preventionstrategy.The social systemsperspective values the cooperation of all parts of a community
toward creating a better whole.
The Food forFun program considered information from three assessment tools from which to base its
engagementplan.The rich map shows the relationships and stakeholders within the organization and
community. The SWOT analysis identified strengths and weaknesses, outside threats, and recognized
opportunitiesforpossible resources toward sustaining good health in general. The force field analysis
was applied more specifically toward the Food and Fun program’s goals for change. The Hikone
communityissmall,makingengagementand implementation more simplified; the community garden
and fitnesstrail provideopportunitiesimplementationandsustainability.Availabilitytofresh produce is
limited.The communityismade upentirelyof poorminorities,while programstaff are mostly white, so
issues of trust and resentment could hinder engagement and participation.
Recommendationsinclude formingacoalitionwiththe goal of communitypartnershipandworkingwith
other food distributers to provide more fresh foods. Forming a strong relationship with the resident
council helps to build trust. Staff will use food distribution days to get out into the community, get to
know the residents, and ask for their input through open communication and surveys on classes and
events. Community Action Network staff is also engaged in changing their own eating habits, so
everyone is working toward change together. The program will be evaluated through weekly
debriefings,andthroughseekingcommunityfeedbackthroughsurveys,assessingwhetherfamilieshave
increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables and increased physical activity, Sustainability
requires that the program remain flexible, adapting to community input throughout implementation.
Executive Summary

3. 3
Description of the Organization
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s (NKFM) state office is located in Ann Arbor with branch
officesinFlint,GrandRapids,andDetroit. The missionof the National KidneyFoundation of Michigan is
to preventkidneydiseaseandimprove the qualityof life forthose livingwithit.Diabetesandhighblood
pressure are the leadingcausesof chronickidneydisease,accountingforapproximately 75% of all cases.
Diabetesandhighbloodpressure are diseasesthatcantypicallybe delayed,controlled or prevented by
goodnutritionand a physically active lifestyle. Therefore, the NKFMis committed to promoting a diet
of increased fruit, vegetable, whole grain, and low-fat dairy consumption, and physical activity every
day. The NKFMnewfocusis promotinghealthybehaviorin low-income publichousing by administering
afterschool pogromsfocusedonteachinghealthyeatinghabitsand encouragingsustainableand lasting
change.
Target Clientele
 Individual Level: The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is partnering with the
Community Action Network (CAN) in the Hikone Public Housing community to deliver
nutrition education programming to SNAP eligible children in public housing.
 Interpersonal/Environmental Level: The Food and Fun
program believes strongly in the role family and
community engagement can play in reinforcing positive
healthy behavior among children in the after school
program.Therefore, it is crucial to target the families and
parents.The Foodand Fun curriculumengages parents on
a regular basis through regular communication, involving
parentsinthe weeklyphysical activitiesand taste tests, as
well as providing parents with the Food and Fun
newsletter and weekly handouts that promote healthy
behavior and eating in the home.
 Organizational Level:The National KidneyFoundationhascreatedastrong partnershipwith
the CommunityActionNetworkanda valuable relationship with the CAN resident council.
This relationship will prove resourceful in promoting policy change on the organizational
level at the Community Action Network to ensure the consumption of more fruits and
vegetablesandincreasedphysical activity in the Community Action Network’s after school
programs and other meal services.
Theories of Change and Rationale
The National Kidney Foundation promotes a multi-level
approach and embraces the social ecological model to
ensure sustainablechange overtime.The ultimate goal of
the social ecological model is prevention. This model
considers the complex interplay between individual,
relationship, community, and societal factors. It allows
the NKFM to address the factors that put people at risk
for experiencing or perpetuating risky unhealthy
Organizational Background

4. 4
behavior. Prevention strategies include a continuum of activities that address multiple levels of the
model. Thisapproachismore likelytosustainpreventioneffortsovertime thanany single intervention
(CenterforDisease Control, 2013). Utilizing a conceptual framework which serves to refocus attention
away from strictly intra-individual factors related to healthy behavior and more towards the
interpersonal,community,organizational andenvironmental determinantsof healthybehavior helps to
ensure a sustainable system and environment change in the Hikone community.
The implementation of the program also borrows from another systems theory, the social systems
perspective,whichconsiders the cooperation of all parts of the community to ensure a greater whole.
Thistheoryof change describesfivesubsystemswithinthe community: the economic or administrative
system,the social systems(i.e.,family and school), local government, social participation, and support
or welfare organizations (VanWormer,K.,Besthorn,F.H.,&Keefe,T.,2007). The KidneyFoundation has
partneredwithseveral othernon-profitorganizations.Administrationoccursthroughthe PublicHousing
Commission,CAN staff workers,andthe residentcouncil,whichalsoworktoenforce rulesforthe safety
of all Hikone residents. The Food for Fun program is implemented as an after school activity, but also
requires family participation for successful implementation and sustainability for the entire Hikone
community. The school program integrates home and community life to change the daily routines of
children and parents, with an opportunity to bring the whole community together around a common
goal of betterhealth.Systemstheorists maintain that all parts of a system are related; a change in one
will affectanother.The ultimategoal of the KidneyFoundationistoreduce the chronickidneydiseasein
vulnerable populations. This program expects that changes in habits affecting health will carry over to
and engage all other systems in the community.
Client Description
CommunityActionNetworkbeganitsworkinthe Hikone neighborhood –one of the Ann Arbor Housing
Commission public housing communities. Hikone is located in SE Ann Arbor, and houses 29 families.
Althoughitissurroundedbya ratheraffluentcommunity,Hikone residentsare low-income or very low-
income.All Hikone familiesare SNAPeligible.The children participating in the after school program are
AfricanAmericanwiththe exceptionof one Latinofamily. While the Hikone community is a vulnerable
population they are surrounded by a strong support system. The Community Action Network offers
programsfor children,teensand adultsatthe Hikone CommunityCenter,focused on academic support
and enrichment, and improving personal, social and
work-readiness skills. The Community Action
Network also provides an after school program for
the children where tutoring and homework helps is
offered, as well as dinner served to the children.
However, before the Food and Fun program there
was no health-centered programming at the Hikone
CommunityCenter,andmanytimesthe mealsserved
are not the most nutritious. Therefore, due to the
high prevalence of health disparities among the
AfricanAmericancommunity,the Hikonecommunity
is a prime area to focus the Food and Fun’s efforts to increase healthy behavior. While the children in
the Food and Fun nutritional after school program remain one of the target populations, much of the
KidneyFoundation’seffortswill gotowardsengagingthe familiesin establishing environmental change
in their homes, as well as organizational change at the Community Action Network to ensure that the
CommunityActionNetworkismakingchangesregardingthe drinksservedintheirafterschool programs

5. 5
and the nutritional content of the meals served. However, creating sustainable change will be
impossible withoutengagingthe largerHikone community andfamilies in participating in the Food and
Fun efforts.

6. 6
According to Jacobson (2007), successful community engagement should combine coalition building,
communityorganizinganddevelopment for sustainability. Food security has taken on new meaning in
today’sglobal foodeconomy,wheresmall family-runfarmshave beenlosttolarge corporate processing
facilities. Fast processed foods are often the only easy options for those living in poverty. Jacobson
argues that programs addressing food insecurity need to consider the broader issues regarding
economics,the environment and social justice, by understanding the importance of access to healthy,
fresh fruits and vegetables. Providing SNAP benefits may only allow access to processed foods and
ensure higherrisksof obesity,diabetesandcancer.Fooddrives and other charity models of practice do
not addressdeeper concerns of health and social justice and thus are not sustainable. The community
needs to be invested in the change while implementation promotes local food production and
processing.The National Kidney Foundation’sFoodforFunprogramworkswiththe residentcouncil and
the Community Action Network to form a support system and utilize existing client resources such as
the communitygardenandpromotionof local farmersmarkets,in order to provide long-term access to
more healthy fresh food choices.
A study completed by Michigan State University found that neighborhood bonds and friendships with
those inclose proximity are positively correlated with participation in wider neighborhood community
events. The small cohesive Hikone community is an ideal location for involvement since most of the
community members know each other well. The Food and Fun program believes strongly in the role
familyandcommunityengagementcanplayinreinforcingpositive healthy behavior among children in
the afterschool program. Interpersonal relationships with family members, friends and neighbors are
importantsourcesof influenceinhealthrelatedbehaviorsforindividuals (McLeroy, Bibeau, Steckler, &
Glanz,1988). Accordingto researchersatDuke Medicine,kidswhoparents encourage them to exercise
and eatwell,andmodel those healthy behaviors themselves, are more likely to be active and healthy
eaters(Duke Medicine NewsandCommunications,2013). The FoodforFun program providesactivities
for childrenbutinvolvestheirfamiliesby providing information and recipes to parents to use at home,
strengthening the bond between children and parents. The program will include activities for social
involvementatthe community level as well. Citizen participation is imperative to maintaining success
and continued positive change after the initial implementation has ended (Thomas, Schweitzer, &
Darnton, 2004).
The Food andFun program will rely on community building in order to maintain fidelity. Fabricant and
Fisher (2002) explain that community organization must emphasize reciprocity in order to create the
trust necessaryforcomplete communityengagement.Due tothe nature of the publichousingsettingof
the Hikone communityandthe role of the CommunityActionNetwork,organizationalchange must take
place to ensure lastingsustainableenvironmentalandcommunitychange.Researchhasshown with the
majorityof people spendingone thirdtoone half of theirlife in organizational settings, it is imperative
to challenge these structures and processes due to the substantial influence they have on health and
health related behaviors (McNelly, Bartholow, Garner, & Nishio, 2009). The Food and Fun program
acknowledgesthis componentandaimsto establishpartnershipswithvariouscommunityorganizations
that are most influential in the target population. The Hikone Community Action Network will work
together with the resident council to change their own behaviors for a healthier life style- with the
community. This establishes a vertical relationship, rather than a hierarchical one, creating an equal
playingfieldbetweenstaff,administratorsandcommunityresidents. Another way to ensure fidelity of
change is to integrate it into the places where residents already live or frequent (Fabricant & Fisher,
2002). The Hikone communityhastwoplaygrounds,anew fitness trail and a community garden, which
can all be incorporated into the maintenance of healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle.
Literature Review

7. 7
In order to understand the best way to engage the larger Hikone community in making healthy lifestyle
choices and changes at home, it is imperative to understand the current state of the community.
Therefore, acknowledging thecommunity’s ability to not only participate in the Food and Fun program,
butalso the community’sability to accesshealthy resources necessary to adopta healthy lifestyle is vital.
These factors will be important in understanding what needs to be addressed further in the community
to promotegreaterparticipation in theprogramand what furthercommunity engagementneedsto take
place to ensurethe success of the program in promoting sustainable environmental and organizational
change to improve the health of the Hikone Public Housing community.
Current Resident Participation in the Community Action Network Programming
The CommunityActionNetwork,where Hikone publichousingis
located,offersmanyprogramsto theirresidents,suchasprograms
for children,teensandadultsfocusedonacademicsupportand
enrichment,andimprovingpersonal,social andwork-readiness
skills.Until recently,the Hikonecommunitywasnotconsideredfor
programspromotinghealthybehavior,sothe FoodandFun
program isa new and excitingopportunityforthisvulnerable
community.However,likethe otherprogramsatthe Community
ActionNetwork,the focusismore oneducatingandinformingthe
residentsof the resourcesandservices available tothemwithno
feedbackfromthe participants.Currently,the type of citizen
participationhappeninginthisparticularsocial systemfallsalong
the linesof informing.While informingisanimportantsteptowards
citizenparticipation,toofrequentlythe emphasisisplacedona
one-wayflow of informationwithnochannel toprovide feedback.
Under these conditionsthe people of Hikone will have littletono
opportunitytoinfluence the FoodandFunprogramdesigned“fortheirbenefit”(Arnstein,1969).
The National KidneyFoundationof Michiganacknowledges the importance of community engagement
in extending the Food and Fun program’s efforts and is working hard to create an equal playing field
betweenstaff,administratorsandcommunityresidentsinbuildingahealthierHikone community.Inthe
initial community engagement moving the Hikone community from “informing” to “consultation” is
imperative. By engaging a vulnerable community like the Hikone community, it is necessary to seek
inputfrom the Hikone residents through various means such as surveys, neighborhood meetings, and
public hearings. While education is important, community input and feedback is valuable in
understanding the needs and desires of the community in promoting a comprehensive community
engagementplanandincreasingcitizen participation. However, it is the National Kidney Foundation’s
ultimate goal to create a partnership with Hikone residents and the resident council. The hope is that
the communitywill eventuallyshare planning and decision-making responsibilities regarding the Food
and Funprogram, the environmental changesinthe CommunityActionNetwork, and in establishing an
organized power-base once the NKFMis no longer involved.
Findings

8. 8
Assessment 1: Rich Map
A rich mapis a great tool forcommunityorganizerstoassessthe relationshipsthatexistwithinan
organization.A richmap examinesthe social structures,organizational stakeholdersandcommunity
stakeholdersthatall playa role or provide resources,supervision,moneyorvariousotherprocesses
involvedinanorganization’sefforts.A richmapaids organizationsinfiguringoutitsbestpracticesin
servingitstargetpopulation.Utilizingarich mapto assessthe Foodand Fun afterschool programand
the National KidneyFoundation’srole andpartnersin implementation will allow ustounderstandthe
currentsupportand resourcesavailable tothe Hikone community inadoptinghealthybehaviorand find
where furthersupportisneeded. Thisrichmapshowsus that there isa strong supportsystemforthe
Foodand Funprogram and a varietyof organizationsinvolved whocanprovide resourcesonce the
NFKMisno longerinvolved. Italsoshowsus where existinggaps are andwhere otherorganizations
couldbe recruited.

9. 9
Assessment 2: SWOT Analysis
Developingafull awarenessof the Hikone communityandthe FoodandFunprogram will helpwithboth
the strategic planning and decision-making regarding the community outreach and engagement
component of the Food and Fun program. Therefore, the SWOT analysis will offer a simple method of
communicatingforthe National KidneyFoundation’sinitiative pertaining to the Food and Fun program.
It is also an excellent way to organize information gathered from needs assessments, studies, and
surveys.
This strategic tool accounts for the strengths and weakness of the Hikone community in terms of its
ability to change on a general level. In this case, the SWOT analysis is not assessing in terms of the
specificprogramimplementation; rather, it is considering the opportunities that favor the community
and the threatsagainst the community when considering its potential for learning healthier behavior,
adopting a healthier lifestyle and accessing resources to maintain that lifestyle (Community Toolbox,
2013). The SWOT analysis provides an understanding of where further support, resources, and
engagementwill be mostneededtoensure successandsustainabilityof the FoodandFunprogram. This
SWOT shows us that while there are great strengths and opportunities within this community in
adoptinghealthierbehaviors,the weaknessesandthreatswill hinderthe community’s ability to do so if
they are not addressed, such as the lack of transportation among this low-income community which
further impacts the negative effects of living in a food desert.
Strengths
 Small community
 Strong community support
 Cohesiveness among the Hikone community
 Community working towards common goal
 Support of Resident Council
 Community Action Network staff support in
adoptingFood and Fun’s message
 Community Garden
 Outdoor physical activity space
Opportunities
 Affluent Ann Arbor community surrounding
Hikone
 Ann Arbor School District
 Food Gatherers/Food Pantry
 Access to farmers market in springthataccept
SNAP/EBT
 One years worth of Food and Fun funding
Weaknesses
 Low income
 Several singleparenthouseholds
 Dependent on food stamps
 Lack of transportation
 High levels of stress
 Depression
 Poor nutrition
 Higher priorities than participatingin program
and events
Threats
 Food Desert
 Attendance and participation in theprogram
and events not mandatory
 Failureto acquirelong-term fundingto
continue interventions pastthe length of the
grant.

10. 10
Assessment 3: Force Field Analysis
The force field analysis will allow us to take the SWOT analysis a step further by applying it more
specifically to the Food and Fun program. Here, we consider the forces driving or hindering change.
More precisely, we assess the influence and direction of the community's strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities,andthreatsasit applies to program implementation. The force field analysis provides a
betterunderstandingof the bigpicture byanalyzingall of the forcesimpacting the Hikone community’s
abilityinengaginginthe FoodandFunprogram and itseffortstopromote and helpmaintainahealthier
lifestyle. In order to ensure the success toward sustainable environmental change, it is important to
properly guarantee participation and engagement in the program from the beginning. The FFA shows
that while administering nutritional programming can be difficult, the Hikone community has several
positive forces and resources that are beneficial in helping the Hikone community engage in the
program. The small community outreach implementation and strong support through the Resident
council will be extremely helpful in the success of our community engagement plan. Furthermore,
understanding the forces against change will allow us to address these forces in our community
engagement plan to ensure the change we are seeking.

11. 11
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Client System
As the SWOT analysis shows, the Hikone Public Housing Community is made up of poor, minority and
mostly single parenthouseholds.Allthe familiesinthe communityare SNAPeligible.Transportation is a
problem for many of the households, and since the closest grocery is over a mile away, access to
nutritious food can be difficult. The families have common interests and support each other, but
motivation seems inconsistent, as they are often busy and have time and availability limitations for
participation in new programs. The engagement plan has addressed this by seeking the community’s
input on availability and types of events that interest them.
The Hikone communityisalmost entirely African American; (one Latino family); there are no language
barriers. They have a well-established and organized resident council, which helps coordinate
neighborhood events and maintain strong community support. The Food for Fun program
implementationincludesworkingoncommunitygardening and other changes through the Community
ActionNetwork,whose employeesare alsomodelingthe practicesof FoodforFunto helpcreate lasting
and entrenchedroots from which to grow after the National Kidney Foundation is no longer involved.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Social System
The Hikone PublicHousing Communityisare surroundedbyapredominantlywhite affluentcommunity,
whichcouldbe perceivedasa threatif allowed to remain polarizing. However, as the SWOT and Force
FieldAnalysisdemonstrate,the community has several social system strengths and remains amenable
to change.The outlyingaffluentcommunitiescanbe used as a resource and is currently an opportunity
for the childrenlivinginpublichousingsince theyattendthe publicschoolsinthose communities,which
are very well funded.
The CommunityActionNetworkispartneredwithWICandFoodGatherers; each of these organizations
helpdistribute supplemental food supplies and run other programs within the community that can be
vital inprovidingnutritious foodandfreshfruitsandvegetablestothe Hikone community. The National
Kidney Foundation of Michigan has provided all the funds necessary for the first year of Food and Fun
program implementation.The outreachis fairly simple since we are working in a community with only
29 families.Sustainabilityisaconcerndue to the lack of transportation, creating a possible food desert
situation. While the Community Action Network is also a target clientele of the National Kidney
Foundation, they also act as a necessary strong social support system for the Hikone community. As
mentioned above, they are enforcing the Food and Fun messages in their own programs and are
working hard to provide the necessary resources and added support for their residents in adopting a
healthy lifestyle themselves.
Impacts of Social Justice Issues
There are a varietyof social justice issues that impact the Hikone public housing community on a daily
basis. The vast majority of Hikone community members are African American, while the larger Ann
Arbor community is predominantly White. Living in public housing in the very affluent Ann Arbor
communitycreatesanimbalance of power.Prejudice,discriminationandoppressionstill stronglyimpact

12. 12
the Hikone communityandtheirchildren. The code of ethics6.04 Social and Political Action, states that
“social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, and discrimination against any
person, group, or class on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, age, marital states or mental or physical disability (NASW, 6.04 d, 1996). The
National Kidney Foundation and its stakeholders realize how important this is and fights every day to
make this a reality.
Those living in the Hikone public housing are all low income or very low income. Due to the low
socioeconomicstatusof the residentslivingatHikone, they are unable to afford many of the resources
the city of Ann Arbor has to offer, including nutritional resources and healthy eating options. Healthy
and affordable foodcanbe hardto come byfor those inpublichousing. The KidneyFoundationbelieves
that everyone should have access to the same resources and education needed in living healthy lives
free fromhealthcomplications.However, manyresidentinthe Hikone community donothave accessto
the same resources and education that many others in the Ann Arbor community do. It is our role as
social workers to fight against this inequality. All people no matter the color of their skin, socio-
economic status or physical location should have equal access to the resources and opportunities
requiredtomeet theirbasicneedsandtolive ahealthylife (NASW, 6.04 a, 1996). Additionally, many of
the residentsatHikone are unable toaffordhealthinsurance;therefore, the Food and Fun program can
help to ensure good health and fewer health complications in this vulnerable community.

13. 13
Recommendation
The Food and Fun program is actively engaging the children of the Hikone community in after school
programming,teachingchildrenhealthybehavior.The program currently engages parents and families
by providingthemwitharegulareducational newsletterandhandoutspromoting how to make healthy
changesat home.However,the ultimategoal of the FoodandFun program is to refocus attention away
from strictly intra-individual factors related to healthy behavior and more towards the interpersonal,
community, organizational,andenvironmental determinants of healthy behavior. Furthermore, due to
the nature of the publichousingsettingof the Hikone communityandthe role of the Community Action
Network, organizational change must take place to ensure lasting sustainable environmental and
community change. Currently the National Kidney Foundation has reached out to the Hikone
Community Resident Council for support and to help promote the integration of the Food and Fun
healthy behaviors and policies into the Community Action Network’s programming and meal service.
However,once analyzingthe SWOTandthe force fieldanalysis,it came to our attention that the lack of
transportation was a rather large problem in the sustainable environmental change the Food and Fun
program isseeking.Additionally,the time andavailabilitylimitationsof the Hikone communityresidents
can be a hindrance to the success of the Food and Fun program in terms of participation. With the lack
of sustainablefunding,the NationalKidney Foundationisworkinghardto create environmental change
inthe Hikone communitybyinvolvingnotonlythe Hikone residents, but recruiting other organizations
that can provide the support and resources needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle once the National
Kidney Foundation is no longer involved.
In order to fully engage the Hikone community and their families in adopting long-term healthy
behaviors,outreachneedstooccur fromseveral differentanglestoaddressthe challenges.Utilizing the
Hikone Food and Fun force field shows the strong forces for change in the Hikone community and
acknowledgesthe forcesagainst the change the Food and Fun program is initiating, which allows us to
address these forces in a more comprehensive engagement plan. In order to implement a proper
community engagement plan that promotes sustainable and lasting healthy behaviors, the following
actions are recommended for the Hikone Food and Fun program:
 Create a Food and Fun coalition. There are multipleorganizations currently involved in making
sure the Food and Fun program efforts are successful. There are also many other community
organizations that could be beneficial in promoting the Food and Fun efforts. Forming a
coalition inclusive of the National Kidney Foundation, the Community Action Network, the
MichiganNutritionNetwork,MichiganDepartment of Community Health, Growing Hope, Food
Gatherers,andotherprominentstakeholderscanprove beneficial inestablishingstrongsupport
in the community engagement process that outlasts the length of the grant. Meeting on a
regular basis would allow these stakeholders to discuss the resources they have to offer the
Hikone communityandhelpguarantee constantcommunication between all the stakeholders,
as theyexchange resourcesandideas,andestablish an outreach plan that is regularly assessed
for its effectiveness.
** See rich map for currentorganizationsinvolved eitherin the Community Action Network for the Food
and Fun program
Community Engagement Plan

14. 14
 Create opportunities for educational outreach. The Community Action Network is currently
partnered withFoodGatherers who help distribute supplemental food supplies and run other
programswithinthe communitythatcouldbe vital in providing nutritious food and fresh fruits
and vegetablestothe Hikone community. Itcouldprove beneficial forthe Hikone community if
the National Kidney Foundation reached out to Food Gatherers and worked together to find a
wayfor themto supplythe Hikone communitywithmore fresh fruits and vegetables and other
healthier choices in addition to the supplemental food supplies they currently distribute.
Additionally, these weekly food distribution days provide an opportunity to deliver social
marketing materials and Food & Fun parent/caregiver resources along with the food
distribution. In addition to providing educational and nutritional resources, providing recipes
that incorporate many of the foods being distributed with easy tips included will allow busy
Hikone residents to cook quick and healthier meals for their families.
 Create monthly community events that promote healthy behavior. Providing frequent
communityevents,suchasinformational sessions and presentations, cooking demonstrations,
fitness, and dance classes can further promote the healthy Food and Fun message. Events can
alsohelpprovide opportunitiesforskilldevelopmentandsupport inlearninghow toeathealthy
and teach fun and easy ways to stay physically active. Monthly community events may also
encourage communitycohesiveness,communitysupport, and increased accountability, as well
as provide Hikone residentswiththe opportunitytoattenddemonstrationsandphysical activity
classes they could not otherwise afford outside their community.
 Evaluation. Frequent evaluations in the form of surveys should be utilized on the individual,
interpersonal,andorganizational levelinordertoprovide the National Kidney Foundation with
feedbackonthe Foodand Funprogram and the communityoutreachefforts.This will allow the
Foundation to alter the Food and Fun program interventions to best suit the needs of the
children, as well as to make sure that the educational materials and events are useful to the
community. Furthermore, it might prove beneficial to administer surveys to the community
inquiring what types of community events they would like to attend and what days and times
workbestfor them.Inorder to ensure the community engagement plan is successful, it is vital
to make the community needs the number one priority. Hosting events that the community is
interestedinattendingwill helpboostattendance andthe educational componentof the event.
Additional variables to consider
Utilizing Traditional and Nontraditional Spaces.
Utilizing both traditional and non-traditional spaces are vital in community engagement and offer
multiple avenuestoincrease engagement.The following recommendations utilize both traditional and
nontraditional placestoengage andsupport the Hikone community in learning how to adopt healthier
living habits. Currently the National Kidney Foundation is utilizing traditional means of engaging the
Resident Council board members and meeting with the Community Action Network program
coordinator to discuss moving forward with the Food and Fun program and the impact it will have on
the entire community.However,ithas been established that a formal Food and Fun coalition can have
positive effects in promoting environmental change. Holding a formal coalition can be a great use of
traditional spacesandtime todiscusshow to bestcontinue engagingthe community and delivering the
Foodand Funprograms’ importanthealthy messages. Although in addition to using traditional means

15. 15
and meetingspaces,the proposedcommunityengagementplanalsorecommendsmultipleusesof non-
traditional spaces in engaging the Hikone community.
Utilizingthe CommunityActionNetwork’sfoodpantrydaystodistribute educational materialsandmeet
the people of the Hikone community is a great use of non-traditional spaces. This is a good way to
engage the Hikone community in their own community and when it is most convenient for them. The
fun community events are also a great use of non-traditional spaces that allow the National Kidney
Foundationtoconnectwiththe residentsof the Hikone communityand promote the healthy messages
of the Foodand Funprogram ina funand easy way. Community engagement has the word community
in it for a reason; therefore, it is important to understand how utilizing the target population’s
communitycanhelpto promote participationandtrue engagement,ratherthanstrictlyusingtraditional
means and spaces for engagement
Developing Relationships of Trust and Respect
In order to engage the community, the National Kidney Foundation has been working to create a
relationship with the community based on trust and respect. Initially, the Food and Fun program
reached out to the resident board, who are known residents who already have a positive reputation
throughout the Hikone community. Letters were written to the resident council introducing the Food
and Fun program and its objectives in the hopes of gaining the councils support. Gaining the council's
support was imperative in acquiring the larger Hikone communities support and trust. In addition to
reachingoutto the residentboard,the National KidneyFoundation’s program coordinators and interns
constructed letters to the parents in the Hikone community whose children would be attending the
Foodand Funafter school program.These letterswere intended to extend our gratitude to the Hikone
community for welcoming us into their community and to introduce ourselves in order to familiarize
parents to the Foundation and to the Food and Fun program. The introduction letters explained the
componentsof the lessons,the hopesof the programstaff, andrequestedinputfromthe community to
help plan the lessons and future events. The initial communication established that the new program
intendstoencourage familiesand all staff memberstoapplythe healthy-habitstotheirownlives,soitis
clear that there are no derogatory assumptions; the program is intended to work with, not on the
community.
In response to the enhanced community engagement recommendations, the National Kidney
FoundationFoodandFunprogram staff memberswill continue toworktogainthe community’strustby
maintainingapresence and familiarity in the community through attending the food distribution days
and communityevents.The hope is that staff can learn from the community while getting to know the
residents and their families and also allowing the families to get to know them.
As a part of the new community engagement plan, program staff, working with the National Kidney
Foundation, Community Action Network, and other partners, will regularly seek community input.
Beginningatthe firstcommunication,parentswill be askedtocompletesurveysaskingwhattheywould
like togetout of the program, what typesof eventstheywouldparticipate in,whentheyare mostlikely
available toparticipate,andwhatkindsof recipesandfoodpreferencestheyhave.NKFMstaff members
will also reach out to community members for suggestions regarding the physical education
components of the program, so they can create classes and activities based on community input.
Acquiring the community’s input and feedback will further the support and trust in regards to having
their needs met on their own terms.

16. 16
Issues of Social Bias and Mistrust
Social biaspreventsmutuallybeneficial interaction among people and this would be detrimental to in-
group cohesion, intergroup cooperation, and the ultimately the success of the program. The Hikone
communityresidentsare entirelyAfricanAmericanorLatino,while mostof the NKFMprogram staff are
white.Most of the residents live in poverty. Issues of discrimination and prejudice may have played a
significantrole intheirlives,affectingthemindifferentwaysfromeachother,butparticularly and more
meaningfully sets them apart from those leading the program.
While the goal of the National Kidney Foundation is to promote and achieve better health in poor
communities,the minoritycommunitymaybe suspiciousandresistanttoengagement.Itisimportantto
recognize thateachof us bringvastlydifferentexperiencestothe table,whichbias us in ways we won’t
always see. These differences need to be discussed openly, understanding at all levels of community
buildingthatstaff andresidentsmayhave completelydifferentideasof planningandeducationforgood
health habits.
The National Kidney Foundation and Community Action Network did not begin the program based on
assumptions about the community. The partners and program staff worked with the Hikone Resident
Co-council to learn about the residents before planning events and implementing the Food and Fun
Program. Adequate assessment of the community and their needs is essential before establishing a
positive relationship.Whileexpectationsinclude potential challenges along the way, the Food and Fun
coalition could involve several familiar partners from which staff will continually learn throughout
implementationandbeyondthe funding period.The proposed engagement plan remains flexible from
the onset,allowingfornewperspectivesandadjustmentsinordertomeet the needs of all members in
the community.
Social Justice Issues Addressed
The code of ethics6.04 Social and Political Action,states that “social workers should act to prevent and
eliminatedominationof,anddiscriminationagainstanyperson,group,orclasson the basisof ethnicity,
national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital states or
mental or physical disability (NASW, 6.04 d, 1996). The Kidney Foundation believes that everyone
shouldhave accessto the same resourcesandeducationneededinlivinghealthy lives free from health
complications. However, many resident in the Hikone community do not have access to the same
resourcesandeducationthatmanyothersin the Ann Arbor community do. The Food and Fun program
challengesthe imbalance of affordable andavailable resourcesbetween the Ann Arbor community and
the Hikone community.
Due to the low socioeconomic status of the Hikone community, lack of transportation is a problem for
many residents and continues to perpetuate the food desert the Hikone public housing community is
located in. Therefore, our community engagement plan addresses the lack of nutritional food by
working with Food Gathers to increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they provide during
the weekly food distribution days. Additionally, the proposed community engagement plan
recommends that the National Kidney Foundation uses these food distribution days to provide

17. 17
educational resources, healthyeating tips, as well as healthy recipes to the Hikone residents. Working
withFoodGathersto enhance the qualityandnutritional factorof theirsupplemental food distribution
will helprelieve the negative effectsof livinginafooddesertand the little accessthe Hikone community
has to healthy resources.
Furthermore,implementinga Food and Fun collation will help increase the support for further service
and resource provision for the Hikone community, especially in promoting sustainable environment
change once the Kidney Foundation is now longer involved. Additionally, implementing regular
community events provide the opportunity for the Hikone residents to attend fitness classes, dance
classes, cooking demonstration, and other events they could not otherwise afford.
Addressing Conflicts and Differences
The Food andFun staff and partnersrecognize that conflictsmayarise throughoutthe programbetween
organizations or individuals at all levels. The initial plan focuses on prevention, generally through
establishing a working environment encouraging safe and open communication. Food and Fun staff
memberswill debrief eachweek;the coalitionwill hold regular meetings, and the organizations within
the coalition will hold meetings every month. All stakeholders in the program are committed and will
come togetherwheneverthe successof the plan depends on it. Open communication will also include
reaching out to community members, those involved and those who have been more reserved,
explaining concerns and requesting their ideas. The goal again is to bring the community up to
partnership level so that all areas of participation are on a level playing field.
The National KidneyFoundationandprogram staff recognize the sensitivitiesinvolvedinthe differences
in social location that might create a challenge for program implementation and community
engagement.Foodcan be a very personal and culturally sensitive subject. It is important to assess the
situationonthe whole:the predominantlywhiteprogramstaff and young students from the University
of Michigan are coming into a community of poor African American families with the intention of
teaching the children how and what to eat and telling the parents what they can do at home to help
themlive ahealthierlife.Inmostcases,communitymembersmayreact with resentment, which is why
the program must take issues of social location, race, and privilege into account with a great deal of
sensitivity, while openly acknowledging this and reaching out for community input regarding the
challenges that come from the situation.
Evaluation
Determiningthe significance andmeritof the FoodandFunprogram will relyheavilyonthe
environmental changesinthe Hikone communityasaresultof engagingthe communityinthe Foodand
Funprogram. Outcome andprocessevaluationwill be essentialinassessingthe fidelityandsuccessof
the program. Processevaluationwillcenteronthe implementationandoperationof the FoodandFun
coalitionandenhancedcommunityengagementplan,while the outcome evaluationwill focusonthe
logical sequence fromFoodandFunprogram actives,toprogram processes,toprogramoutcomes.
Due the nature of the multilevel programmingof the FoodandFun program, itis essential toconduct
processand outcome evaluationforeachlevel the programserves: individual,interpersonaland
organizational.Toensure thatthe FoodandFun program andthe communityengagementhasbeen
implementedasintendedinternalweeklydebriefswillbe utilizedtoassessthe suitabilityof eachlesson,
attendance,engagementof the children,andwhetherornot the lessonwascompleted.Midterm

18. 18
evaluationswill be distributedtothe childrentogaintheirfeedbackonthe afterschool program.Per
the communityengagementplan,additionalsurveyswill be usedtogainfeedbackfromthe Hikone
communityof the eventsbeingheld.Furthermore,inordertoevaluate the CommunityAction
Network’srole insupportingthe FoodandFunprogram, informal meetingsanddiscussionswill be held
to discussanybarriersand/ormattersthat needto addressedinimplementingenvironmental change in
the CommunityActionNetworkandinthe Hikone community.Understandingsthese matterswill allow
for furthercontemplationinimprovingthe potential forthe FoodandFunprogram.However,inorder
to attainfundingfromthe MichiganNutritionNetworkcertainbehavioral objectivesmustbe metusing
the pre andpost assessmentsproposedbelow.Utilizingthe recommendcommunityengagementplan
will helpensure positive outcomesinimplementingbehavioral andenvironmental change.
 Afterparticipatinginthe 12-weekFood&Fun programfrom January1, 2014 to September30,
2014 children will make atleastone of the followinghealthylifestyle improvements asindicated
by pre and post program selfassessment:
o 35% will increase theirconsumptionof fruitbyatleastone servingperday.
o 30% will increase theirconsumptionof vegetablesbyatleastone servingperday.
 Parents/caregivers whose childrenparticipateinthe Food& Fun program duringJanuary1,
2013 to September30,2014 will make atleastone of the following environmental
improvements inthe home atthe conclusionof the 12-weekprogramas indicatedbya pre-
program HouseholdAssessmentanda post-programHouseholdAssessment:
o 25% of Hikone PublicHousingfamilieswill serveafruitand/orvegetable ateverymeal
and snack
o 25% of Hikone PublicHousingfamilieswill provide opportunitiesfortheirchildto
engage inat least1 hourof physical activityeveryday
 The CommunityActionNetwork AfterSchool Programwill make at leastone of the following
environmental improvementsinthe Hikone CommunityCenteratthe conclusionof the 12-week
program as indictedbyapre-programOrganizational Assessmentanda post-program
Organizational Assessment:
o The CAN AfterSchool Programwill serve afruitorvegetable tochildreneveryday
o The CAN AfterSchool Programwill serve watereveryday
o The CAN AfterSchool Programwill offerchildren30minutesof physical activity
everyday
Funding
Currently the Food and Fun program is being funded by the Michigan Nutrition Network for a total of
11,000 dollars for the length of seven months, January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014. The National
KidneyFoundation is funded by the Michigan Nutrition Network’s Coaching for Behavior Change pilot
project,exploringhowcoachingskillscoupledwithSNAP-Edprogrammingcanmove participantstoward
lastingbehaviorchange. It is designed for those who are providing nutrition education and promoting
physical activity.Whilethe National Kidney Foundation only received 11,000 dollars to implement the
Foodand Funprogram in the Hikone community,it was not without the opportunity to receive further
fundingif the programprovedsuccessful.The National KidneyFoundation is currently in the process of
writinga grant inorderto acquire 36,000 dollarstoimplementthe FoodandFun program in all three of
the Community Action Network’s public housing sites to further the impact of the Food and Fun
program and community outreach can have in attaining and sustaining environmental change in the
public housing setting .

19. 19
Justification
The goal of the National Kidney Foundation is to prevent kidney disease and to improve the quality of
life of those with kidney disease. Since diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of
kidney disease, the Food and Fun program aims to prevent both by promoting good nutrition and a
physically active lifestyle. The program targets vulnerable communities with high SNAP eligible
residents,asthese communitiesare mostimpactedby kidney disease. Communities with high poverty
are often located in food deserts with little easy access to fresh healthy foods. The Food and Fun
program aims to increase fruit, vegetable, whole grain and low-fat food consumption in the Hikone
community with increased healthy food distribution through Community Action Network and Food
Gatherers, and the use of the community garden. The program also helps create daily routines, which
increase regular physical activity for residents and their families.
The impact of the programis bothshort andlongterm.It will lowerthe riskof childobesity,whichcould
leadto chronicdiseasesinadulthood.Foradults,itwill helpreduce the likelihoodof type-two diabetes,
obesity and high blood pressure, all of which will result in longer and better quality of life for all
residents.
The Food and Fun program will also have several more immediately positive impacts on the Hikone
community. Throughprogramimplementation,familiesare brought closer together, as the events and
activitiesencouragefamilyinvolvement through taste testing and recipe sharing; children and parents
work together to change eating habits. Through community events and activities, the program helps
families spend more time together and builds a stronger community through participation and
engagement.
The stakeholders and partners in the program are dedicated to sustainability and will work with the
community to continue healthy food consumption on their own, after the Kidney Foundation is no
longer involved, through fresh food distribution and maintaining the community garden. Physical
activities are encouraged rather than the passive activities that often distance families. The program
helps inspire and build a routine of physical activity for families and community, ensuring the
playgrounds and fitness trails will be used, maintained, and further developed by the community.
Conclusion
The National KidneyFoundation,withthe partnershipof the CommunityActionNetworkandotherfood
distribution services, has created an engaging program for poor minority communities. The Food and
Fun program aims to improve the quality of life through the prevention of obesity, diabetes, and
hypertension, the major causes of kidney disease. The program organizers will work to earn the trust
and respectof the Hikone communitythroughthe creationof acommunitypartnershipinvolvingamore
vertical relationshipwith organizers and residents, as they all work together toward a common goal of
increased well being and a healthy active lifestyle.
Implementationof the FoodforFun programat the Hikone publichousing community will increase the
distributionof freshproduce,increaseawarenessof establishing a healthy eating habits and physically
Justification and Final Comments

20. 20
active routines, starting first with the children, reaching into their home, spreading to parents and
families through inclusive outreach and events and on to sustainability and the development of a
supportive and stronger community.

21. 21
References
Arnstein,S.(1969). A ladderof citizenparticipation. Journalof American Planning , 35(4),
CenterforDisease Control (2013). The social ecological model:A frameworkforprevention.
Retrievedfromhttp://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/overview/social-ecologicalmodel.html
CommunityToolbox.(2013). What is a swotanalysisand why should you useone.Retrieved
fromhttp://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-
resources/swot-analysis/main
Duke Medicine NewsandCommunications.(2013). Parenting and homeenvironmentinfluence
children’sexercise and eating habits.Retrievedfrom
http://corporate.dukemedicine.org/news_and_publications/news_office/news/parenting-and-
home-environment-influence-children-s-exercise-and-eating-habits
Fabricant,M., & Fisher,R.(2002). Agencybasedcommunitybuildinginlow income neighborhoods;A
praxisframework. Journalof Community Practice.10(2),1-22.
Jacobson,M. (2007). Foodmatters:Communityfoodassessmentsaa tool forchange. Journalof
CommunityPractice.15 (3),37-55.
McLeroy , K.,Bibeau,D.,Steckler,A.,&Glanz,K. (1988). Anecological perspecitveonhealth
promotionprograms. HealthEducation and Behavior ,15(351),
MkNelly,B.,Bartholow,J.,Garner,T.,& Nishio,S.Californiaof PublicHealth,(2009).
Banking on better health:California association of food banks'nutrition education program
MSU Urban Collaborators.(2004) Citizen participation in neighborhoods:Socialcapital,senseof
community,and governmentin Grand Rapids,Lansing,and Flint. MichiganState University
Extension:Thomas,J.,Schweitzer,J.,&Darnton J.
National Associationof Social Workers.(1996). Codeof ethics the national association of social workers.
Washington, DC
VanWormer,K., Besthorn,F.H.,& Keefe,T.(2007). Theoretical perspectivesin human behavior
and the social environment. New York:OxfordUniversityPress.