Who We Are
Live Healthy Gwinnett launched in 2014 as a partnership between Gwinnett Parks and Recreation and Eastside Medical Center. Live Healthy Gwinnett is designed to encourage and engage Gwinnett County residents to invest in personal wellness while focusing on four major wellness areas: Be Active, Eat Healthy, Get Checked and Be Positive.
Our Purpose
According to the 2013 Gwinnett County Health Department Community Health Assessment, Gwinnett’s current obesity rate of 26 percent places a quarter of the adult population at higher risk for serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, and stroke. It is also known by the assessment that 20 percent of Gwinnett County residents get no leisure time physical activity.
Live Healthy Gwinnett takes a proactive wellness approach to address the preventable chronic illnesses that impact individuals of Gwinnett County. Through community education, people can significantly reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases by making simple lifestyle changes: eating healthy, increasing physical activity and reducing stress.
Vision
To be Gwinnett County's inspiration to enjoy, explore and discover healthy lifestyles for generations to come.
Mission
To promote positive change in the Gwinnett community that encourages people to:
Values
- Promotion of Healthy Living Principals
- Participation in Regular Physical Activity
- Developing Effective Community Partnerships
- Bringing together Diverse Cultures and Generations
Our Team
Carion Marcelin
Brad Livesay
Gabriela Reinoso
Brandon Seay
Briana Ward
Peter Flom
Kayla Oliver
Bri Villareal
Carion Marcelin, Project Coordinator
Carion Marcelin joined Gwinnett County as the Live Healthy Gwinnett Coordinator in April 2019. She oversees Be Active Gwinnett – a mobile recreation program serving youth in play desert communities throughout Gwinnett which focuses on reducing obesity rates by encouraging communities to be active. Carion also supervises the Harvest Gwinnett team who maintains nine community gardens throughout Gwinnett and provide hands-on environmental education, plant fresh produce to improve resident food access, and nurture engagement opportunities leading to improved health outcomes. In partnership with GUIDE, Inc., Carion received instructor certification for QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and has trained more than 150 community leaders on suicide prevention. Carion graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a minor in Public Health from the University of South Florida. After teaching 7th and 8th grade science for two years with Teach For America, Carion recognized that the students she served did not have access to healthy, affordable food in their community and noticed the effect of eating unhealthy foods daily had on their overall health. She decided to pursue a career in public health to reduce health inequities in low-income communities and educate people of all ages on how to improve their health. Carion attended Mercer University for graduate school and received her Master’s in Public Health in spring 2018. Her main goal is to improve the health of those living in underserved communities and teach residents to become advocates for their own health through education.
Brad Livesay, Program Coordinator
Brad was hired as the new Program Supervisor for Harvest Gwinnett in March 2021 and recently promoted to Program Coordinator in October 2022. Brad holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Auburn University. After graduating from Auburn, Brad was accepted into the United States Peace Corps and was assigned to serve in the Republic of Moldova. During his two-year assignment, he taught English as well as implemented numerous extra-curricular activities which promoted volunteerism, enriched creativity, and developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Brad began his career with Gwinnett County in 2013 as an educator with Gwinnett Parks and Recreation. He then moved into employment with operations staff at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. Brad worked with his team members to implement evidence-based natural resource management techniques to manage forests, trails, and aquatic habitats, including wildlife habitat preservation, landscape management, invasive species removal, native plant reintroduction, and trail construction. Brad has a passion for public service and strives to increase wellness throughout the community by promoting community gardening and healthy eating.
Brandon Seay, Program Supervisor
As a Program Supervisor, Brandon leads the new and exciting Harvest Gwinnett community gardens initiative, whose aim is to provide freshly grown produce to local families in need while offering residents an opportunity to grow their own food in the gardens. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Science and Technology at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), majoring in environmental science and minoring in biology. From an early age, Brandon has been very involved in Gwinnett County, participating in many organized activities and programs, including sports, music, and local service organizations. At Georgia Gwinnett College, Brandon has been an active student and has participated in academic symposiums, multiple student organizations, and gained substantive experience with community engagement and service efforts. From its beginnings, Brandon helped organize and grow the community garden and Micro farm program at GGC, whose programs now include food donations, academic participation, research projects and resource conservation. Brandon plans to continue serving and engaging the community, while he shares his passion for the outdoors, plant science, food security and community.
Gabriela Reinoso, Program Supervisor
Gabriela joined Live Healthy Gwinnett in January 2022 as an intern under the Be Active Gwinnett program. She is a Kennesaw State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. Gabriela enjoys learning and connecting with the people of Gwinnett by engaging in community service events and frequently visiting parks. In her free time, Gabriela loves walking on nature trails while being accompanied by her furry friends and playing volleyball with friends and family. As an advocate for a healthy, active, and positive Gwinnett, Gabriela is excited to engage, learn, and give back to her community through Be Active Gwinnett.
Kayla Oliver, Program Leader
Kayla joined Live Healthy Gwinnett in July 2023. Kayla is currently a student at Georgia Gwinnett College and will be graduating and receiving her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2025. She has had a passion for health and wellness since she began her fitness journey back in 2020. Kayla has always had the gift of serving and enjoys helping others stay active and knowledgeable about the importance of taking care of your body, from the inside out. Not only does Kayla want to impact her family and friends, but she also wants to help further build up the community. Kayla's motto is “Stay active. Stay healthy. Stay you!"
Briana Ward, Program Leader
Briana recently joined the Live Healthy Gwinnett team summer of 2023 as a Program Leader. She is currently a student at Georgia State University and will be graduating and receiving her bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2025. In her free time, Briana thoroughly enjoys nature walks, listening to music, and volunteering with different organizations. As a Program Leader, she thrives in her element of educating people about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating.
Peter Flom, Program Leader
Peter joined Live Healthy Gwinnett in September 2023. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies at the University of Minnesota while serving as a Cavalry Scout in the Minnesota National Guard. Since 2010, Peter has worked in environmental education, classrooms and afterschool programs, foster care, public health, and international humanitarian service. He is a lifelong lover of nature and spent years providing under-resourced youth with opportunities to experience the natural world in a safe, caring environment through backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and more. As the coordinator of a public health teen program in Richmond, California, Peter developed a passion for improving policies, systems, and environmental conditions in underserved communities, while creating ways for residents to live healthier, more connected lives. He has been on Food Policy Councils, School District Wellness Committees, and served as the Chairperson of a Childhood Obesity Prevention Task Force. One of his proudest accomplishments is supporting a youth research team that successfully advocated to get hydration stations installed in elementary and middle schools. In his free time, Peter enjoys hiking, camping, basketball, road trips, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and dogs.
Bri Villareal, Program Leader
Brianna recently joined the Live Healthy Gwinnett team December 2023 as Program Leader. She is currently a student at Gwinnett Technical College and will be graduating and receiving her associate degree in cosmetology in December 2024. She will then go back to school and pursue her bachelor’s in nursing. In her free time Brianna loves going to the gym, trying new restaurants, and shopping. Brianna enjoys helping people any chance she gets and as program leader she hopes to positively impact and give back to her community.