In 2020, Pottawatomie County marked a transformative milestone when the community attained Certified Blue Zones Community Status, a recognition achieved through a partnership between the Avedis Foundation and Blue Zones LLC. This designation launched the county on a path toward enhanced health and well-being for its residents.
Pogo is a county-wide movement with a goal: to make Pottawatomie County the healthiest in Oklahoma.
As the initiative progressed, it evolved into Pottawatomie Go (Pogo), a locally focused, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Avedis Foundation. Working alongside 40 diverse partner organizations, Pogo actively works to shape a future where healthy living is effortless, and every resident can thrive.
Pogo focuses on several key priorities to enhance community health:
Mental Well-being: Collaborating with partners to improve mental well-being by fostering connections, with a vision of a community where everyone feels seen and heard
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Increasing nutrition education, awareness, and equitable access to improve fruit and vegetable consumption throughout the community.
Active Lifestyle: Promoting physical activity through community challenges, awareness campaigns, and advocacy for healthy living practices.
Built Environment: Enhancing the built environment to promote physical activity, economic wellbeing, and overall quality of life by supporting safe and active transportation options.
Social Connectedness: Raising awareness about the critical importance of relationships in health outcomes and aligning efforts to combat social isolation.
Based in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Pogo serves all residents of Pottawatomie County, focusing on inclusive health initiatives that benefit everyone. Our office is located at: 420 E. Main Street, Shawnee, OK 74801.