In May, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) recognized MPHA for outstanding work in advocacy by selecting us as one of four finalists for the 2016 Excellence in Advocacy Award. This competitive award recognizes a nonprofit organization whose work has within the past two years affected significant public policy change through the education and mobilization of constituents, the general public, and/or public policy decision makers. This year’s award will be presented at MNN’s Nonprofit Awareness Day on June 27, 2016.
MPHA is proud of the progress we have made together with our community based partners, members, volunteers and activists. In just the last 24 months MPHA together with our partners have had several public health victories for Massachusetts including securing funding in the senate budget for the Massachusetts Food Trust program. Please join us as we celebrate this achievement and look to future public health victories in the state.
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Students of Codman Academy in Dorchester line up next to their teacher before presenting their research on traffic safety in Codman Square as part of MPHA and Partners HealthCare co-hosted Complete Streets event at the State House
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Recent MPHA Accomplishments
During the past two years, MPHA has obtained many legislative victories and accomplishments, some of which are:
Successfully advocating for funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program in the FY17 Senate Budget
Successfully advocating to secure $250,000 for the Mass in Motion initiative in the FY16 Budget

MPHA Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz kicks off MPHA advocacy event for the Massachusetts Food Trust at the State House
Selected as one of seven 2015 Social Innovators working to build organizational capacity with the Social Innovation Forum.
Passage of the Active Streets Bill as part of the Transportation Bond Bill (2014), and securing commitment of $20 million from MassDOT to implement the program (2014)
Participation in the passage of Healthy Food Financing Initiative as part of the Environmental Bond Bill (2014)
Successfully advocating to increase DPH state funding by $3.8 million in the FY14 and FY15 state budgets, focusing on public health infrastructure
Help us Achieve More Health Victories in Massachusetts
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Participants at Act FRESH Coalition Regional Convening get a chance to stretch while discussing policies to advance healthy food access and increase opportunities for physical activity

MPHA Policy Director Maddie Ribble educates Massachusetts legislators on the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund which funds community based prevention programs