Blue Zones Project® - Yuba Sutter has announced that Yuba Water Agency has achieved designation as Yuba County’s first Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite. Yuba Water completed the approval process at its three primary worksites by formalizing several health and wellness efforts that were already underway and expanding these efforts to align with the Blue Zones Project principles.
“Our agency strives to be a premier employer, not just in the Yuba-Sutter region, but also among other water agencies throughout California,” said Theresa DellaSanta, Yuba Water’s human resources manager. “This recognition from Blue Zones Project really adds a strong third-party endorsement to show that we have a meaningful and impactful workplace wellness program at the agency, which can be great for recruiting as well as for retention of the incredible staff we have.”
Yuba Water earned its Blue Zones Project approval by documenting several internal workplace initiatives already underway, including a monthly health and wellness column in its internal staff newsletter, regular health and wellness challenges and giveaways like sunscreen and pedometers, employee-led social gatherings, purpose workshops, trainings and more. At the heart of many of these efforts is a diverse and representative employee-led engagement committee that meets monthly to plan and strategize events, outings and health and wellness topics.
Externally, Yuba Water has an established event sponsorship program that aims to deepen the agency’s connection with the community. Through this program, staff are encouraged to participate in an annual Yuba River cleanup, community and charity walks, regional events and more.
Additionally, in Yuba Water’s most recent strategic plan, the agency specifically named participating in the Yuba Sutter Blue Zones Project as a key strategy to ensure the health and well-being of its workforce and to encourage a healthy work-life balance.
The agency is working on a long-term sustainability plan to maintain its Blue Zones Project approval and further integrate health and wellness into its operations and work culture.
“Working with Yuba Water Agency on their Blue Zones Project approval has been an absolute pleasure. The agency has worked hard to instill the Blue Zones values and has additionally added this important employee wellness initiative into their Strategic Plan. I look forward to seeing all the good things to come!” Courtney Finstad, Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter Organization Lead. Blue Zones Project celebrates this achievement and acknowledges Yuba Water’s commitment toward improving the well-being of both their staff and our community at large.
“Yuba County and the broader community are fortunate to have an organization like Yuba Water Agency leading the way in creating a more prosperous and thriving Yuba Sutter. Their commitment to improving quality life for our community is evident in everything they do. We appreciate their partnership with Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter along with their participation in becoming a Blue Zones Project approved worksite. It is testament to their commitment as partners in bringing better health and well-being to our communities,” said Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter Executive Director Marni Sanders.
To learn more about becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved™ Worksite, contact the Blue Zones Project team in Yuba Sutter at bzpyubasutter@sharecare.com or by visiting yubasutter.bluezonesproject.com.
About Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter
Blue Zones Project® works with the Yuba Sutter community to create an even better place to live, learn, work, play, and worship. When the entire community participates – from worksites and schools to our restaurants and grocery stores – small changes contribute to huge benefits for us all: lowered health care costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life. We look forward to working together to help make healthier choices easier for everyone in the Yuba Sutter area.