October 12, 2015
Media Statement by Mikki Sager, The Conservation Fund Vice President and Director of the Resourceful Communities Program
“The Conservation Fund congratulates Reverend Richard Joyner, Founder and Director of Conetoe Family Life Center, for being named one of 10 finalists for CNN’s Hero of the Year. This annual honor recognizes individuals whose passion to help others has changed the world. Reverend Joyner’s innovative, self-help work deserves national attention for its effectiveness in addressing chronic health problems, improving nutrition and educational performance of local youth, as well as growing leadership and a strong community through a 25-acre community farm.
“Conetoe is a small town of just 287 people that struggles with poverty and unemployment. It is also located in a county that ranks among the lowest in health outcomes of all North Carolina counties. Reverend Joyner began by preaching ‘Healthy Sunday’ sermons to encourage congregants to change their eating habits. He took his sermons one step further and created a community garden that encourages neighbors and youth to ‘grow their own’ healthy and fresh foods. Youth summer day camp and afterschool programs engage young people (ages 4 to 18 years) in planning, planting, harvesting and selling healthy foods in this garden. In this small town, the community is healing itself with the land.
“The Conservation Fund’s Resourceful Communities Program has been pleased to partner with Reverend Joyner and the Conetoe community as they have grown these innovative programs. Small grants from our Creating New Economies Fund have supported operations and special projects in Conetoe. We have partnered to support Conetoe Family Life Center in planning, strengthening and evaluating these programs. We have also helped connect Reverend Joyner and CFLC’s staff and volunteers to funding, information, and agencies and nonprofits that are providing other support for the programs.
“The Conetoe Family Life Center has already helped improve people’s health. Families and youth are losing weight and eating healthier foods. Seniors have reduced their dependence on prescription medicines, and there has been a community-wide reduction in emergency room visits. Youth are motivated, active and involved, and they are inspiring neighbors of all ages to make lasting changes.
“We congratulate Reverend Joyner on this wonderful recognition and honor, and encourage everyone to visit the CNN website and vote for Reverend Joyner.”
You can learn more about Reverend Joyner’s work and vote for him daily between now and November 15 by visiting http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/us/cnn-heroes-joyner/.
“The Conservation Fund congratulates Reverend Richard Joyner, Founder and Director of Conetoe Family Life Center, for being named one of 10 finalists for CNN’s Hero of the Year. This annual honor recognizes individuals whose passion to help others has changed the world. Reverend Joyner’s innovative, self-help work deserves national attention for its effectiveness in addressing chronic health problems, improving nutrition and educational performance of local youth, as well as growing leadership and a strong community through a 25-acre community farm.
“Conetoe is a small town of just 287 people that struggles with poverty and unemployment. It is also located in a county that ranks among the lowest in health outcomes of all North Carolina counties. Reverend Joyner began by preaching ‘Healthy Sunday’ sermons to encourage congregants to change their eating habits. He took his sermons one step further and created a community garden that encourages neighbors and youth to ‘grow their own’ healthy and fresh foods. Youth summer day camp and afterschool programs engage young people (ages 4 to 18 years) in planning, planting, harvesting and selling healthy foods in this garden. In this small town, the community is healing itself with the land.
“The Conservation Fund’s Resourceful Communities Program has been pleased to partner with Reverend Joyner and the Conetoe community as they have grown these innovative programs. Small grants from our Creating New Economies Fund have supported operations and special projects in Conetoe. We have partnered to support Conetoe Family Life Center in planning, strengthening and evaluating these programs. We have also helped connect Reverend Joyner and CFLC’s staff and volunteers to funding, information, and agencies and nonprofits that are providing other support for the programs.
“The Conetoe Family Life Center has already helped improve people’s health. Families and youth are losing weight and eating healthier foods. Seniors have reduced their dependence on prescription medicines, and there has been a community-wide reduction in emergency room visits. Youth are motivated, active and involved, and they are inspiring neighbors of all ages to make lasting changes.
“We congratulate Reverend Joyner on this wonderful recognition and honor, and encourage everyone to visit the CNN website and vote for Reverend Joyner.”
You can learn more about Reverend Joyner’s work and vote for him daily between now and November 15 by visiting http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/us/cnn-heroes-joyner/.
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