About Us

was founded by dedicated citizens and community leaders who believe that change starts with relationships — and relationships begin with connection.

Middletown Connect,

formerly the Coalition for

a Healthy Middletown,

Middletown Connect is dedicated to building relationships between individuals and agencies, fostering connections grounded in trust and a shared vision. This community-driven initiative seeks to enhance health equity and promote healthy behaviors through genuine engagement and collaboration.

In support of our city’s vision—Destination Middletown—Middletown Connect works to strengthen families, create safe neighborhoods, and cultivate healthy individuals.

We are proud to be part of the Ohio Health Improvement Zone Pilot Project, which was awarded to the Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio and the Middletown Health Department. This initiative focuses on health equity and the social determinants of health for vulnerable populations.

Our partners, also referred to, Health Improvement Partners (HIP Team)play an essential role in advancing community health by offering resources and driving policy changes. Together, we can synchronize our efforts to effectively tackle health challenges.

Residents living within the most vulnerable census tracts were recruited to serve as community ambassadors for their neighborhoods.

Ambassadors led community conversations around defining what it means to be healthy and identifying barriers to healthy living.

Staff and HIP Team members were asked to put their assumptions aside and simply listen. Now, they are partnering with Ambassadors to explore ways to BUILD TRUST and INCREASE SAFETY within their neighborhoods.

In addition to leading community conversations, attending planning sessions, and hosting a community bus tour for various agencies and leaders, they have initiated community Walk & Talks.

Click here to meet our Ambassadors

Our Story

Your neighbors are making the connection, and you can do it too!

Middletown Ambassadors

are Restoring Pride

in their Neighborhoods 

Residents from three neighborhoods in Middletown stepped up as Ambassadors to rekindle pride in their communities, initiating over 100 discussions about what a thriving Middletown should look like.

Ambassadors organized bus tours for city leaders to explore their neighborhoods, followed by walk-and-talk events. They expressed their motivation to join the OHIZ project, highlighting its positive effects on local students and noting that city officials and health partners were genuinely interested in the community's feedback.

Partners have expressed that they have appreciated the opportunity to engage with the community on issues to further strengthen relationships between the city and the residents.

This initiative addressed critical health disparities, including a 12.5-year life expectancy gap compared to other neighborhoods. The OHIZ (Ohio Health Improvement Zone) project empowered residents to influence changes in programs and policies aimed at reducing health disparities.

By promoting open communication and accountability, the project established a collaborative environment for residents and leaders to work together.