Coalition History

Revere CARES was founded in 1997 following a comprehensive community health assessment spearheaded by MGH’s Center for Community Health Improvement (CCHI), which collaborates with underserved communities to improve health. During 1995-1996, CCHI partnered with a committee of residents, local officials, police, Revere Public Schools and others to guide a series of focus groups, key informant interviews, and a town hall meeting, and to review city, state, Revere Police, and school data. The results were alarming and included high rates of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use among teens with large increases in use from middle to high school. The vast majority of teens believed these substances were readily available and 51 percent of high school students reported having drunk alcohol. The committee identified youth substance abuse as its priority and restructured as Revere CARES, and work began immediately.

To learn more about our work around substance abuse prevention and Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs prevention and awareness, visit our Alcohol Tobacco, and other Drugs Initiative page.

In late 2007, the Coalition expanded its work to address obesity rates that have been on the rise throughout the country and are now starting to be a concern in Revere. In 2008, representatives of different sectors of the community were invited to join the Food and Fitness Task Force in order to work on developing programs that promote healthy eating and active living among all residents. Twenty-one members were recruited and have participated in the following activities: a review of the current research; a training on strategic planning; mapping of assets; and identification of opportunities in the community. The task force identified three overarching goals: increase access to healthy foods to combat overweight, obesity and hunger in the community and the schools; promote active living by making changes to the community’s built environment and enhance physical activity programs at the schools; and increase awareness and education through diverse media channels. In 2011 the Food and Fitness Task force launched the Revere on the Move campaign to promote active living and healthy eating in the community. To learn more about this initiative visit our Revere on the Move page.