Selma
Building on the success in Birmingham, and through generous funding from Novo Nordisk, Live HealthSmart Alabama (LHSA) has begun to expand its programs and services to other areas of the state. Selma, located high on the banks of the Alabama River, and the largest city in Dallas County, is the first expansion site for LHSA.
Selma is best known for the 1960’s Selma Voting Rights Movement and the infamous Selma to Montgomery marches—which began March 7, 1965 with “Bloody Sunday” and ended on March 25, 1965 with 25,000 people marching to Montgomery to press for voting rights. This activism generated national attention for social justice. That summer, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed by Congress to authorize federal oversight and enforcement of constitutional rights of all citizens.
While Selma is home to the largest contiguous historic district in the State of Alabama, due to agriculture and industry decline, the city has lost about a third of its 1960’s peak population. In 2020, the US Census Bureau reported 17,971 residents in Selma.
By joining forces with the city, residents, and local partners, we developed a plan—specific to the needs of Selma’s residents—to support access to good nutrition, preventive health services, physical activity, and education.
Built Environment
Such plans include improvements to the built environment that help facilitate healthy choices in the areas mentioned above. This includes adding new sidewalks, repairing existing sidewalks, and adding crosswalks and ADA approved ramps in Ward 8—which re-connects residents to the East Selma Community Pond & Park, a frequently used community asset. A walking trail around the pond and the gazebo are also being restored in addition to the installation of new benches and picnic tables. These improvements will allow residents across East Selma opportunities to be more socially and physically active.
Strengthen Alabama Homes
LHSA partnered with the State Department of Insurance’s Strengthen Alabama Homes, to award homeowners in East Selma grants of up to $10,000 per home to install a Fortified Roof, which can withstand category 3 winds. LHSA employees, along with City of Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr., Councilman Michael Johnson, and Pastor Craig Scott of Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church, went door-to-door to let residents know about the program.
At the introductory meeting where State representatives explained the program in further detail, over 70 residents were in attendance. Our team assisted residents in completing the applications; of which, 40 qualified for and received new roofs. These 40 homes are located on the same corridors that LHSA’s built environment improvements are being made, further adding to the transformational change in this neighborhood.
Prevention & Wellness
Using a Mobile Wellness Van and pop-up Wellness Events, the LHSA Wellness Team has been working to expand access to wellness & prevention screenings, as well as general health education resources. In just six months, the team has provided more than 200 screenings and increased the number of events they host from two to four per month.
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