He had to create a total approach from total despair. Unemployment was an astonishing 20 percent, and there were no schools within the neighborhood. Students were bused to 30 different districts to attend school. People who did not fall victim to these obstacles were being affected by disease. Flance was facing a serious health issue.
Health is related to the totality of an individual's environment.
It is directly related to education, housing, economic opportunity, security of one's neighborhood and access to recreation, to entertainment, to shopping, to different social services. That's the totality of what it means to be healthy. Under Baron's management, the FPSE community, the medical center and Firstar Bank drafted a strategic neighborhood-redevelopment plan that has mustered support from city and state officials, foundations and area businesses. The plan, which calls for reopening an elementary school, developing a community center, and revitalizing and creating mixed-income housing, has started to be successfully implemented. The plan also includes attracting commercial development on Manchester Avenue and establishing health, safety and employment services.