Hope signs spread positivity in Oxford during pandemic

By Avery Treend, university news and communications intern

The Coalition for a Healthy Community recently developed a project to create yard signs that promote positive messages in Oxford.

The goal was to spread messages of hope, kindness, and bravery during this very uncertain and, for some, lonely time. The signs also provide helpful links to resources and have one of four messages:

• Hang in There…Be Brave!
• Being Apart…Together!
• Kindness is Contagious!
• This Too Shall Pass…Be Brave!

The coalition is a collaborative group of community representatives, including members of the Miami University community, who are committed to building a healthier Oxford area. The members identify and prioritize community health concerns and implement strategies with partners in the Oxford area to foster healthy behaviors.

Amy Machecko, health and wellness coordinator for the Talawanda School District and project coordinator for the coalition, took time to answer questions about the project.

What was your thought process behind this project? 

This project began out of the mental health work group of the coalition.  The first meeting we had after the start of the pandemic, we were brainstorming what we could do to promote hope in the Oxford area and prevent individuals from feeling so isolated.  A member shared that they had heard of a project in Madiera with yard signs with positive messages.  The group immediately became excited about this, and we quickly mobilized to make it a reality.

Who is involved?

A subgroup of coalition members convened to brainstorm the messages for the signs.  Included in this meeting were members of the Youth Action Team - the youth voice for the coalition. Specifically, for this project we had Talawanda High School students, a Miami student and other coalition members participate. We had the signs printed. Funding was made possible through the coalition’s Primary Prevention Grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Where did the signs go?

We are excited to see the signs throughout the community - at private residences, Miami’s campus, Talawanda’s schools, places of faith, businesses, city and township offices, social service agencies and other locations.  Our coalition serves the Talawanda School District geographic area - including the city of Oxford, Oxford Township, Reily Township, Milford Township and Hanover Township.  Our goal is to provide signs throughout Oxford.