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.

This year's 2024 Worksite Well-Being Summit theme was, "Creating A Culture of Well-Being." The Summit launched with a Coffee n' Conversation networking opportunity for attendees and vendors. The Opening Session included The Well-Being Exchange, Bridging Gaps, Sharing Solutions facilitated by Gateway to Prevention & Recovery Executive Director , Jon Greenwood. The goal was to uncover the biggest challenges to improving well-being in your practical solutions and strategies to improve your organization's culture of well-being. Next there was a panel discussion called, From Stressed to Success: Building a Well-Being Focused Workplace facilitated by Shawnee Forward CEO, Crysta; Romanyszyn. The panelists included, Kelly Francene - CPN, Tyler Huebert - Surf Bar, Katie McMahan - Athletico, Mindy Mew-Palmer - Vyve Broadband, and Gary Revas - SSM Health St. Anthony's. Panel Discussion 2: Workplace Wellness across Generations was facilitated by, Pogo Executive Director, John Bobb-Semple. The panelists were Audra Bourgeosis - a student from Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Daniel Campbell - OBU Alumni, Jimmy Gibson - South Central Industries, Amy Riggins - Shawnee Recreation Center, and Sarah Roberts - Tinker Federal Credit Union. Finally the Keynote, Lyndi Savy, M.A., PHR, Rivers & Roads Organizational Development spoke about Cheerleading from Quicksand: How to Change Everything without Changing Everything. A topic focused on burnout. The Summit had over 80 attendees from executives, HR Professionals, Wellness Directors and more! Look for our 2025 date next fall!

On Saturday, September 28th Pottawatomie County came together for a fun-filled day of cycling and community at the Pott Co Pedal Palooza, held on the oval at Oklahoma Baptist University! The event, designed to promote bicycle safety and provide families with an exciting day of outdoor activities, attracted over 200 attendees to enjoy various engaging events. The festival featured a community bike ride, led by local cycling enthusiasts, where riders of all ages enjoyed the local streets and trails together. A bike rodeo offered a fun, hands-on way to teach essential bike safety skills. Families and children also took part in a colorful bike parade, showcasing creatively decorated bikes. Additionally, participants took advantage of bike repair services and helmet checks ensuring their equipment is in top condition to ride safely. The Complete Streets demonstration provided the community with a glimpse into how streets can be designed for safer and more inclusive transportation options for everyone. A highlight of the day was the bike giveaway for the attendees who completed the Bike Ride Bingo activity. Many smiles rode away from the event. Pott Co Pedal Palooza was made possible through the collaboration of community partners, including Shawnee Public Schools, First United Bank, Oklahoma Baptist University, Kids Action Shawnee, SpOKeLAHOMA Bikes and Outdoors, Galilee Baptist Church, Safe Kids Oklahoma led by Bethany Children’s Health Center, Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Pott County Peddlers, The Bike Shoppe, Uplift Mentoring, City of Shawnee, and Pottawatomie Go (Pogo) Built Environment Committee. Their combined efforts helped create a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience for all who attended. “We are thrilled to have had such a wonderful turnout for this year’s Pedal Palooza,” said Amanda Johnson, Co-Chair of Pogo Built Environment Committee. “It was incredible to see so many families come together to celebrate cycling, learn about bike safety, and have a great time.”

Shawnee Public Schools, in collaboration with Pottawatomie Go, participated in National Walk/Bike/Roll to School Day on October 2. More than 800 students, parents, and volunteers from all elementary sites gathered at designated locations to walk to school together, fostering a sense of community, promoting physical activity, and emphasizing the importance of safe routes to school. A special event was organized for 5th-grade students across the district, who walked from Sequoyah Elementary to KidSpace Park. Students enjoyed a day filled with fun, movement, and engaging activities. The walk utilized the city’s newly constructed sidewalks, enhancing safety and accessibility for students commuting to school. “Encouraging students to walk, bike, or roll to school not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also emphasizes the need for safe, accessible routes in our community,” said Michelle Wallace, Director of Community Engagement for Shawnee Public Schools. “Partnerships like this allow us to foster a strong sense of community while ensuring the safety of students in our community.”

RETREET, a program of Keep America Beautiful, leads volunteers to restore trees lost in natural disasters. RETREET provides native trees at no cost to families, selected by certified arborists to ensure they’re planted in the right spots. The motto is: the right tree, in the right place, at the right time, planted the right way. Looking ahead, Pottawatomie County RETREET is projected to occur in Spring 2025. This project will assist those affected by the April 19, 2023 tornado. At no cost to families or individuals, it will address leftover tree damage, such as hanging limbs, diseased trees, stumps, and fallen trees. Volunteers will plant new trees under the guidance of certified arborists to ensure they have the best chance to thrive. Stay tuned for updates, and join our interest list if you’d like to get involved or contribute as a volunteer, tree recipient, donor, or partner.

Pottawatomie Go (Pogo) has announced the launch of an initiative to promote healthier food choices at area grocery stores and restaurants in Pottawatomie County. FireLake Foods has partnered with Pogo as the first local grocery chain to introduce “Powered by Pogo,” which will officially kick off on May 28. “Powered by Pogo” is a program created to empower consumers to make healthier choices in the grocery aisle. Wherever they see the “Powered by Pogo” icon, shoppers can easily identify nutritious foods that align with dietitian and physician-recommended goals to increase fruit and vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet. “Items highlighted as being ‘Powered by Pogo’ include fresh produce and products that are lower in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats,” stated Andrea Beck, Registered Dietitian from LaserFocus Health and Wellness, who serves as co-chair for Pogo’s Fruit and Veggie UP! Coalition. “Another component of this initiative are complimentary recipes, available in-store at all FireLake locations, to inspire shoppers with creative ways to prepare meals with fresh, wholesome ingredients,” Beck said. Sonya McDaniel of OSU Extension-Pottawatomie County, who also co-chairs the coalition, adds, “With a quick glance, shoppers can recognize healthy options and make better informed choices without sacrificing deliciousness.” Lindsay Goodson, Senior Program Manager and Public Policy Advocate for Pogo, notes that fruit and vegetable consumption is one of Pogo’s five focus areas for achieving and maintaining improved community health. Other focus areas include active lifestyles, mental well-being, social connectedness, and improvements to the community’s built environment. FireLake Foods will display the “Powered by Pogo” in-store signage as part of the grocer’s commitment to helping customers develop and maintain healthy lifestyles. “FireLake Foods is excited to partner with Pogo and our community by offering our customers a wide selection of fresh produce and other healthy staples that make it easy to create nutritious meals for their families,” commented Nicole Sanchez, Marketing Director for FireLake Foods. “These products can be found at any FireLake location, which means shoppers won’t have to travel far to get them,” Sanchez added. FireLake Foods locations in Shawnee, Tecumseh and McLoud will promote the “Powered by Pogo” program, beginning with a ribbon cutting event (free and open to the public) at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 28 at the Shawnee location, 1570 S. Gordon Cooper Drive.

Pogo, LaserFocus Health and Wellness, Pottawatomie County OSU Extension, and Avedis Foundation were excited to welcome renowned Native chef Crystal Wahpepah to Shawnee, Oklahoma for Harmony on the Plate Health Week 2024 cooking demonstration. Wahpepah is a member of Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. She is the owner and executive chef of Wahpepah's Kitchen in Oakland, California, the first Native woman-owned restaurant in Northern California, named Best New Restaurant of the Bay area in 2022. Wahpepah has appeared on Food Network's TV shows, Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. She was a James Beard Award finalist for Emerging Chef in 2022. Additionally, she cooked for the White House Hunger Conference with James Beard Foundation, as well as the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences. Inspired by the deep and powerful role that food has in our lives, Wahpepah acknowledges the Indigenous inhabitants of the land upon which we currently live by educating others on the health benefits of Indigenous foods. Her cooking demonstration, "Harmon on the Plate: A Culinary Journey with Chef Wahpepah," highlighted various Native foods, underscoring the importance of fruits and vegetables in cultural dishes. Some of Chef Crystal's favorite recipes can be found here: Blue Corn Thumbprint Cookies https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/blue-corn-thumbprint-cookies-13482044 Indigenous Dumplings with Berries https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/indigenous-dumplings-with-berries-13482066 Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/roasted-butternut-squash-with-maple-13481995

Click to skip ahead to: Shawnee Resources Seminole Resources SHAWNEE RESOURCES BISON FAMILY THERAPY INSTITUTE 1601 N Kickapoo, Suite 900, Shawnee, OK 74804 405-585-6413 | bisonfamilytherapy.com CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN COUNSELING AND CARE 1 West 10th St. Shawnee, OK 74801 405-275-2222 | shawneecounseling.com GROWTHLINES, LLC Paulann C Canty, MS, LMFT 219 E Highland, Shawnee, OK 74801 405-273-7455 | growthlines.net JILL NEWMAN, LPC Twenty-nine 11, Inc. 405-337-0055 SARAH PRYOR, LPC 44038 E 45th St, Shawnee, OK 74804 405-413-0091 SERENA WARD, M.ED, LPC 1605 N. Harrison St, Shawnee, OK 74801 405-481-7187 CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION HEALTH CLINIC: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES 26 Joe Father Murphy Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801 405-214-5101 | potawatomi.org/services/health/behavioral-health Program Information: Behavioral health services are available to primary care patients. Services offered include individual, couples, group and family therapy, smoking cessation classes and medication management. Provides drug/alcohol assessment and treatment, psychiatric/psychological assessment and treatment services for tribal members and other Native Americans. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: SHAWNEE FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES 130 N Broadway, Suite 300 Shawnee, OK 73140 405-395-0399 | communityhealthok.org/chci-shawnee Program Information: Community Health Centers offer professional counseling services for individuals of all ages, families, and groups. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is available for adults with an addiction to opioids or heroin. CREOKS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: ALCOHOL AND DRUG - SHAWNEE 429 N Union Ave, Shawnee, OK 74804 405-275-1844 | creoks.org Program Information: Outpatient individual and group counseling and rehabilitation, care coordination and medication management treatment for issues relating to alcohol and substance abuse. MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid dependence) is offered in Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, Tulsa and Wagoner. CREOKS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH 429 N Union Avenue Shawnee, OK 74804 877-327-3657 | creoks.org Program Information: CREOKS offers outpatient services in the clinic, in-home, and school-based. Services include screening, assessment, individual, group, and family counseling, psychiatric consultation, medication management, psychiatric social rehab, and care coordination. Additional services include adult and juvenile drug court and mental health court. FOCUS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 905 E Wilson St, Shawnee, OK 74804 405-214-0116 | focusmhs.com Program Information: Individual, couples, and family mental health counseling. Areas of expertise include autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, trauma, grandfamilies, marital/couples counseling, EMDR, and sexual addictions. GATEWAY TO PREVENTION AND RECOVERY: SHAWNEE - COUNSELING 1010 E 45th St, Shawnee, OK 74804 (405) 273-1170 | gatewaytoprevention.org Program Information: Outpatient behavioral health treatment for mental health, substance abuse, gambling, and other addiction issues. Counseling for issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. Able to provide individual, group or family counseling. Clients will receive access to case management services. Medically assisted treatment. HOPE REVEALED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER 1605 N Harrison St, Shawnee, OK 74801 405-481-7187 | hoperevealedbhs.com Program Information: Individual, couples, and family counseling for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and more. PROJECT: SAFE 313 N Union Ave, Shawnee, OK 74801 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 800-821-9953 Office: 405-273-9953 | projectsafeok.com Program Information: Provides a Crisis Hotline for victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Offers advocacy services for victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Includes support groups, safety planning, court advocacy, and assistance with filing protective orders. RED ROCK BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES 1336 N Harrison, Shawnee, OK 74801 405-275-7100 | red-rock.com Red Rock Programs & Services: General services: Outpatient therapy, case management, screening intake and referrals, psychiatric rehabilitation, medication clinic services, service to homeless individuals, peer support services, emergency services, wellness activities and support. Outpatient counseling program: for individuals, families, or groups. Services can be provided in the community and/or at Red Rock office locations. Outpatient services can address mental health issues related to substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Clients will receive coordinated services that are individualized toward their needs. Youth Counseling program: Counseling for youth at their home or at school. Home-based case management and advocacy services that focus on the wellness of the whole person, on the youth and family’s strengths, and on their individualized needs, while respecting their voice and choice YOUTH AND FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER 326 W 11th St, Shawnee, OK 74801 405-275-3340 | yfrcshawnee.org Program Information: Community-based, structured process of counseling, socialization, recreation, and educational assistance to youth and their families who have been identified to need assistance in adjusting to current life situations. Services provided include emergency youth shelter. SEMINOLE RESOURCES OKLAHOMA FAMILIES FIRST 300 E Seminole Ave, Seminole, OK 74868 (405) 382-5438 | offibhs.org LIGHTHOUSE BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS CENTERS: SEMINOLE 2010 Boren Boulevard, Seminole, OK 73402 405-382-4507 | lighthouseoklahoma.com Program Information: Lighthouse offers individual and group therapy to children, adolescents, adults and families who are living with emotional, co-occurring, or behavioral health conditions. Lighthouse works to help clients achieve a better quality of life by addressing challenges that affect daily routines, such as mental illness, drug & alcohol abuse, and traumatic life experiences.

Click the arrow next to each question to learn more about Pottawatomie Go. What is Pogo? Pogo, a Certified Blue Zones Community, is a collaborative community effort to achieve and sustain measurable health improvements to help everyone in our community, “Live a little. Longer.” And yes, that means you, too! What happened to Blue Zones Project? In June 2020, the Avedis Foundation and Blue Zones LLC announced that Pottawatomie County had achieved the Certified Blue Zones Community® status. Phase II of the Blue Zones Project continued the work of making healthy choices easier. After two years of deepening community relationships and developing a plan for long-term, local impact, Blue Zones Project evolved to become Pottawatomie go, or “Pogo.” As a certified Blue Zones Community, Shawnee remains part of the national network of communities committed to making healthy choices easier. Is Pogo funded by public dollars? No. Beginning July 1, 2022, Avedis Foundation became Pogo’s parent company and financial sponsor. Though we are privately led and publicly endorsed, Avedis Foundation is the sole underwriter of the collaborative. We also partner with multiple nonprofit organizations and schools to assist them in earning private, state, and federal grants to support special projects and initiatives. What does this mean for our favorite Blue Zones Project activities? You can expect your favorite activities to continue. In Spring 2023, Pogo will introduce even more activities and strategies to Live a Little. Longer. What is the Pottawatomie County Well-Being Coalition? Pottawatomie County Wellbeing Coalition is the registered business name for Pogo, used until the brand announcement on October 21st, 2022. What is Pogo’s service area? Shawnee today and includes neighboring communities as we develop new relationships and connect with like-minded leaders. Who can be a part of the Collaborative? Blue Zones Project aligned with over two dozen partners resourced and focused on making healthy choices easier. These folks are family! Pogo builds on that family to include like-minded faith-based organizations, employers, educators, tribal and municipal governments, non-profits, and individuals looking to help our communities Live a Little. Longer. To see us in action, follow us on Facebook!