(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah has announced continued funding of the CDC’s five-year, $5.1 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant. Originally endowed in 2023, the funds, administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, are earmarked to support sustainable health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods, focusing on nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding.
“While this is a five-year grant, Healthy Savannah must demonstrate it is meeting CDC’s requirements each year to continue to receive funding,” said Armand Turner, executive director. “During the second year of the grant, which ended in September 2025, we worked with 200 local partners and achieved some incredible milestones, and we’re already working on some inspirational projects for year three.”
Healthy Savannah, established in 2007, is known locally and nationally for championing a culture of health in Savannah and Chatham County by fostering programs and promoting environments that make the healthy choice the easy choice. From supporting Savannah’s Smoke Free Air Act of 2010 and Savannah’s and Chatham County’s Complete Streets ordinances of 2014, to launching the Faith and Health Coalition (2014) and its annual FaithWalk events (2023), weekly Healthy Walks (2020), the Community Health Advocate initiative (2021) and Breastfeeding Welcome Here (2025) campaign, Healthy Savannah has been dedicated to reducing health disparities in the region.
One of the organization’s most ambitious efforts is advancing the construction of the Truman Linear Park Trail, a six-mile pedestrian and bike path at the heart of the Tide to Town Urban Trail, encouraged by the passage of the Complete Streets ordinances in Savannah and unincorporated Chatham County. The final portion of the Truman Trail, which will connect Daffin Park to Lake Mayer, is expected to open in summer 2026. When complete, the Tide to Town system will be 30+ mile protected network of walking and bicycling trails connecting 62 neighborhoods, 30 schools, 3 major hospitals, and several economic centers in Savannah and Chatham County.
During the 2025-2026 grant period, Healthy Savannah also plans to reshape its nationally recognized Community Health Advocate initiative to support breastfeeding families and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and in particular to increase breastfeeding spaces in companies that have over 50 employees, in accordance with the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act). This is a federal law providing most employees with reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space to express breast milk at work. Georgia state law, also called Charlotte’s Law, aligns with the PUMP Act by requiring employers to provide a non-bathroom private spot and paid breaks for pumping, not requiring the use of paid leave or reducing pay.
The organization will also be promoting the initiatives of the recently reorganized Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council in expanding equitable access, sustainable production, and widespread understanding of healthy local food. The non-profit will also continue to offer weekly healthy walks and other popular events, including the annual FaithWalk.
“Everyone deserves access to a healthier life, and through the CDC’s continued REACH funding, we will keep working to address and break down health equity barriers,” said Turner. “I am honored to be leading this organization and building on the strong foundation laid by my predecessor and mentor, Paula Kreissler.”
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA / HEALTHY SAVANNAH REACH GRANT: In October 2025, Healthy Savannah announced continued funding of the CDC’s five-year, $5.1 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant, originally endowed in 2023. The funds, administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, support sustainable health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods, focusing on nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding. Working with over 200 community partners, the Savannah/Chatham County team is advancing these goals through an “upstream” approach. Healthy Savannah observed its 18th year in 2025. The organizations were awarded an initial $3.4 million five-year CDC grant in 2018 and have also administered several other supplemental grants. Healthy Savannah was honored with the CDC’s 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity. healthysavannah.org | ymcaofcoastalga.org
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