Ontario, Ca – Ontario has been named one of 20 finalists for the 2019 All America City Award by the National Civic League. The award, given to 10 communities each year, celebrates and recognizes neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and regions that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. This year’s theme was “Creating Healthy Communities through Inclusive City Engagement.”
“These finalist communities are building healthy communities through collaboration with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. While many people are concerned about the ability of our nation to improve lives, these communities are showing that great things can happen at the local level,” National Civic League President (NCL) Doug Linkhart said.
In its application to NCL, Ontario cited the establishment of the Healthy Ontario Initiative – an intentional, authentic civic engagement framework designed to advance health equity throughout the city. Through the initiative, residents are able to help shape conversation around health and physical environments and inform policies and decision making.
Healthy Ontario brings together stakeholders from throughout the city and is part of a long-term vision adopted by the City Council in 2007 to promote a complete and prosperous community. In 2010, the Council also adopted “The Ontario Plan,” which includes goals and policies for health, education and culture to address the social determinants of health and continue to guide the Healthy Ontario collaborative.
“We’re honored to be part of this exclusive group of cities recognized by the National Civic League,” said Mayor Paul S. Leon. “Ontario has always been a model city, and in the case of the Healthy Ontario Initiative, we’ve shown that collaboration and inclusive civic engagement can create a paradigm shift that ultimately leads to a healthier, more prosperous community.”
For more on AAC Award visit: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/
About the City of Ontario
The City of Ontario Elevates the quality-of-life by creating urban lifestyle districts that create sustainable places to live, work and play. Located just 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the City of Ontario is ideally situated as Southern California’s gateway. With three major interstates, two railroads and the Ontario International Airport, Ontario offers direct access from Los Angeles to the rest of California and to North America. With over 177,000 residents and residential development on the rise, Ontario is wellpositioned for growth in the next two decades, making it one of the 100 most populated cities in the nation. Complementing its business and residential core, Ontario offers premium entertainment venues such as the Ontario Convention Center, Citizens Business Bank Arena, and the Ontario Mills Mall. To learn more about the City of Ontario, visit www.ontarioca.gov or call (909) 395-2000.
