Danville, Ill.

When the Danville, Ill., community needed a catalyst to mobilize individuals, organizations, local government, neighborhood groups, social service agencies, and health care providers to become partners in reclaiming responsibility for individual and community health, The Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation began the HALO Project.

The HALO community initiative works to improve the lifestyles, community standards and conditions that lead to good health. In 2004, the HALO Project helped 3,959 persons through various educational, environmental, and individual empowerment activities such as house painting blitz projects, diversity study circles, health fairs, and "Keep Vermilion County Beautiful" projects.

Activities include the annual HALO's Children's Health, Safety and Activity Fair. Usually, more than 35 community businesses and organizations participate each year.

HALO also sponsors an annual house-painting blitz through which volunteers paint the homes of individuals who, because of age, disability, or low income cannot tackle the job themselves.