Reach Out – Strengthening California's Inland Empire’s Post

We are in the planning stages for the 14th National Innovative Communities Conference, and we can't wait to see what exciting initiatives are developed based on what those in attendance discuss and learn. Eleven years ago, the NICC inspired the founders of the city of Jurupa Valley to launch their Healthy City initiative, Healthy Jurupa Valley. What is Healthy Jurupa Valley? **** HJV is part of a global movement of healthy city initiatives that work to improve the health and quality of life of all residents. Healthy Jurupa Valley is a public/private partnership between the City of Jurupa Valley and the nonprofit agency Reach Out. The mission is to inspire residents to ignite change, bringing greater health, safety, and quality of life to everyone in the city. The initiatives we've undertaken in the past decade are far-reaching, and the impacts are broad. ✅ Through the efforts of this initiative, HJV has increased green space, community gardens, and awareness of substance abuse issues and vaccine availability. ✅ We've held leadership academies to empower community members to become leaders and share resources. ✅ We've created "Shop the Walk" events to drive connection between local business and the community, and hosted face-to-face meetings with elected officials to allow them to meet the community members they represent. Health represents so much more than physical well-being, and the HJV initiative has grown community connection, safety, and well-being in immeasurable ways. We can't wait to bring this program to more Inland Empire cities! #NICC #innovativecommunities #communitydevelopment #HealthyJurupaValley #healthycityinitiative #bluezones

New Case Study: Participatory Grantmaking in Practice The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (@Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) shares an in-depth look at their $5 million Building Local Alignment initiative, showcasing how they ceded power to community experts in grantmaking decisions. Key takeaways: • How RWJF formed an external Grant Advisory Committee • Designing an inclusive, two-phase application process • Challenges and lessons learned in sharing decision-making power A must-read for funders exploring participatory approaches to advance equity and community voice in philanthropy. #ParticipatoryPhilanthropy #HealthEquity  https://lnkd.in/eC9KZCBF

Vulnerability is how we establish trust. Genuine connections with others can arise when we lower our guard and share our honest ideas. Being vulnerable allows us to recognise the hardships and experiences of one another, which in turn promotes empathy and understanding. This weekend PURA families, clinicians, scientists, and the PURA Foundation Australia came together as one community to raise awareness and funds for PURA syndrome through the Melbourne Marathon Festival. Families travelled from across Melbourne, with one driving 2 days from NSW to be with us. They had never met anyone, other than their own child, with PURA syndrome. It left them vulnerable but created trust and empathy that can never be undone. Coming together at this event as a community created a connection and a greater understanding of both the condition and need. Need for answers, need for research and a drive to create needed change. Whilst these events leave me emotionally spent, they also remind me of why I do this. Our community need may at times seem insurmountable, but I know that small steps will lead to our success. If we trust one another, we will get the answers we need. The greatness of a community is measured by the actions of its members. Together we can do anything. #community #puraperfect #TeamPURA #purasyndrome #raredisease #purafoundation #puraproud #purastrong #rare #research #puraresearch #connection The Florey

"Deep listening, letting the community guide you, allowing the people who are deeply impacted to be able to find space, to find solutions is exactly what our communities need to change." Lu Hill, Community Engagement and Strategy director for EHF, reflects on the meaning of EHF's Equity Healing Framework and how it guides our work in community. Learn more about our Equity Healing Framework: https://lnkd.in/gTEgUt3p https://lnkd.in/dmdCdsvQ

Season 3 of #PoweringHumanCare is here! Listen to this first episode in the series, where I had the chance to catch-up with Esezele Payne, from Atrium Health and Donald Jonas from Advocate Health. In our conversation they highlight initiatives like creating affordable housing, addressing food insecurity, and supporting employment through community investments and partnerships - including practical solutions for smaller hospitals. #Sodexo #AtriumHealth #AdvocateHealth https://lnkd.in/g_FSunN5

Saturday, July 6, 2024 11:34 From: Dr. Richard Francis Viktor Hogan Re: Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) 👍 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) play a critical role in empowering communities and creating social change. 👍 In summary, CBOs are essential for sustainable and meaningful social impact. They collaborate, innovate, and advocate to create positive change in their communities ✔️ Let’s explore their significance: (1) Addressing Local Needs: 🧨 CBOs are often the first to identify issues and gaps in services within their communities. By tailoring solutions to specific local needs, they make a significant impact on the lives of those they serve. (2) Building Community: 🧨 CBOs foster relationships, create a sense of belonging, and enhance social cohesion. For instance, organizing community gardens brings neighbors together, leading to new friendships and a stronger sense of community. (3) Advocacy and Policy Change: 🧨 CBOs influence policy at various levels, effecting lasting change. Advocacy efforts can improve access to essential services, such as affordable healthcare for low-income individuals and families. -30-

Did you know my organization, Transformative Changes, is a social enterprise with a non-profit status? Checkout Transformative Changes' community events coming up to get immersed in healing, culture, and social and systems change. https://lnkd.in/eSES6-H6

The Importance of Community Health: Building a Healthier Future for All Community health is the backbone of a thriving society. It focuses on improving the well-being of individuals, families, and entire populations by addressing their unique needs and challenges. Here’s why it’s so crucial: Preventive Care Saves Lives: Educating communities about hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention reduces the burden on healthcare systems and saves lives. Empowering Local Solutions: Community health programs empower people to take charge of their health, creating sustainable change from within. Reducing Health Inequalities: By addressing gaps in access to healthcare, we can ensure that no one is left behind, regardless of their economic or social background. Building Resilient Communities: Healthy communities are better equipped to face crises like pandemics, natural disasters, and other challenges. As a Community Health Supervisor at Relief International, I witness the transformative power of investing in community health every day. Together, we can make a difference by prioritizing education, access, and collaboration.

#ICYMI — Here's what we've been up to this month: ✨ Deepening our commitment to addressing systemic inequities in #education, #PublicSafety, #WorkforceDev, and community health through increased funding to the AIR Opportunity Fund. 🏫 Exploring how states can ease the burden on school staff who support students through the #FAFSA process. ⚕️ Talking with #health expert and VP Guido Cataife about the complexities of #healthcare system reform. Catch up with AIR News: https://icont.ac/50Ig3

The Aspen Institute is one of the most impactful think tanks in the country. One of their focus groups is called the Community Strategies Group, which is dedicated to rural issues. Below is a link to a recent paper they published that explains the direct connection between rural community health and prosperity. Sound familiar? It should, if you've been following any of the work of my nonprofit, the ARCH Community Health Coalition of Western Kentucky ( www.archcoalition.org ). Anyway, this is a really good article with great graphics and everything. Perhaps it can explain some of these issues better than I have been able to do. The take-home message is that rural community health and prosperity are two sides of the same coin. We cannot achieve one without the other. We need to recognize that fact and start planning and working together to achieve the long-term goals that we all want. At the ARCH Coalition, we've been trying to break down the barriers between the various stakeholders in our region of rural western Kentucky. "The way we've always done it" isn't working anymore, if indeed it ever really did. Collaboration and is the only path forward. We are facing some enormous challenges that we have to meet or our communities are just going to remain unsustainable and continue to decline towards irrelevance. We need one plan, not a dozen plans, and we need to work together to implement those plans and reach the goals we all want. https://lnkd.in/g-3c3ngm