United Way of Southwest Michigan honored with Michigan Healthy Worksite Award
United Way of Southwest Michigan is an organization that is all about giving back. Now, they are on the receiving end of a prestigious Michigan honor.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded UWSM with the Healthy Michigan Worksite Award, recognizing employers across the state of Michigan who are utilizing the Designing Healthy Environments at Work tools and actively investing in wellness programs designed to improve the health of their workforce.
“We support and foster a work environment that enables work-life balance and wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. We incorporate wellness activities into the workday, and we’re seeing positive results from those activities,” says Anna Murphy, President of United Way of Southwest Michigan.
UWSM has a very expansive worksite wellness program. They conduct four different health challenges throughout the year that are focused on physical activity, stress management, and/or healthy eating. Along with flexible work hours and wellness stipends, UWSM also has a backyard garden for staff to maintain. And health and wellness is a topic at each of their monthly staff meetings.
“Beyond just the wellness program we have around our office, we introduce new, fun, healthy activities outside our walls. We ride bikes, we participate in indoor rock climbing, we do group Pilates. In order to do the work we do in the community, we have to take care of ourselves,” added Murphy.
Awards are presented to worksites that meet defined criteria for Honorable Mention, Bronze, Silver, or Gold status. 2019 Healthy Michigan Worksite Awardees:
Gold
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Silver
RJG Inc
Health Department of Northwest Michigan
Bronze
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center
Cleary University
Livingston Educ Service Agency-Ed. Center
Honorable Mention
United Way of Southwest Michigan
Michigan Department of Health and Human Service, Washington Square Building
University of Michigan
Michigan Fitness Foundation
Marsh & McLennan Agency
Silver Maples of Chelsea
MSU Extension
Washtenaw County Road Commission
Livingston County Community Mental Health Authority
Kalkaska Screw Products
Livingston Family Center
Work Skills Corporation
Grand Traverse County
Cherry Republic
Wexford County Council on Aging
City of Ann Arbor
LACASA
The Farmhouse Early Learning Center
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Stevens Van Lines
Canton Township
Grand Traverse County Health Department
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Central Michigan District Health Dept
BILL MARSH KALKASKA
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
Benzie County Central Schools
LexaMar Corporation
Kalkaska Sheriff's Office
North Country CMH
Cherry Republic
Cherry Republic
Centra Wellness Network
Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
Sandcastles Children's Museum
Northern Michigan Regional Entity
Boyne Falls Public School
Skyline High School
Hospital Council of East Central Michigan
Huron Gastro
DTE Energy
Hope Network
Ciber Global
The Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County
TG Fluid Systems USA
Rosebrook Child Development Center
Hylant
Howell Nature Center
Oakland County
TechTown Detroit
Spectrum Health Healthier Communities
FAAC Incorporated
Michigan Software Labs
Chem-Trend
About United Way
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's long standing challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.
