The Healthy Youth Task Force, a committee of Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc., was selected to receive a 2009 Healthy Communities Principles award for "Investing in Youth Leadership and Development."at the  3^RD Annual Healthy Communities Conference held on June 17^th, at the Hoagland Pincus Conference Center in Shrewsbury, MA. The Healthy City Fall River initiative was also selected to receive a 2009 Healthy Communities Principles award for “Broad Definition of Health.” The Forum brought teams from Brockton, Danvers, Lowell, Melrose, Milford, Natick, & Mattapan together with individuals from Winthrop, Waltham, Woburn, & Winchester for graduation ceremony and to receive their certificates at the event. A Healthy Community Market Place also featured exhibits from healthy community efforts from across the state who shared their best practices, stories and accomplishments from the previous year. For more information about the Forum, contact Peter Lee at 617-279-2269. (Photos courtesy of Jamison Souza and Christian McCloskey)

(Top row, left and right) Fall River Youth Services coordinator Christian McCloskey and Fall River Healthy Lives coordinator Mike Ramos assemble an exhibit of their healthy community efforts at the Hoagland Pincus Conference Center. (Top row, center) Mass Partnership director Peter Lee stands with Mr. McCloskey, Mr. Ramos and Healthy Youth Task Force co-chair Jamison Souza. (Middle row) Mr. Lee and Massachusetts director of the Office of Healthy Communities Cathy O'Connor address Forum graduates and guests. (Bottom row) Mr. Ramos and Mr. Souza accept their awards from Ms. O'Connor.