Partnering for change

Last month we announced our new look for Sierra Health Foundation and The Center. Along with this new look is a renewed commitment to the communities we serve and the partners we work with to pursue our mission.

In this month of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for our many partners. Thank you for your continued commitment and the powerful work you do to make positive change in our communities.

See the highlight video from our Vision 2016 event on Oct. 20.

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San Joaquin Valley partners meet to identify health and racial equity priorities

San Joaquin Valley community leaders from 58 nonprofit organizations in eight counties came together in Merced on Nov. 17 for the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund Partner Convening.

This learning and networking opportunity focused on how advocates and residents can engage in health and racial equity transformation in their communities. Partners had in-depth discussions to identify priorities for collective action in the areas of Education, Equitable Land Use Planning, Healthy Food, Healthy Living Environments and Immigration.

We were joined by funding partners Yolanda Brewer from Dignity Health and Sabina González Eraña from The California Endowment, as well as guest speakers Mary Manuel Tobin from California Civic Participation Funders, Camila Chávez from Dolores Huerta Foundation and Dillon Delvo from Little Manila Foundation. Participants were inspired by youth poets Deborah Armstrong and Brandon Leake, as well as dances by Xiadani del Valle.

Learn more about this work on the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund web page.

Photo: Partners discuss their vision for healthy living environments in the San Joaquin Valley.

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Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths releases annual report

The Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths on Nov. 15 presented its 2015-2016 Annual Report to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the First 5 Sacramento Commission.

The Steering Committee began implementation of its five-year plan in fall 2015 in collaboration with Sacramento County, City of Sacramento, First 5 Sacramento and multiple community stakeholders. All first-year benchmarks in the plan have been fully met.

See the annual report.

Learn more on the Steering Committee web page.

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Positive Youth Justice Initiative informs work in New Orleans

Nationwide interest in the Positive Youth Justice Initiative continues, most recently indicated by an invitation to Sierra Health Foundation staff by the New Orleans Children Youth Planning Board and its Juvenile Justice Committee. Leaders in New Orleans have designed a learning agenda to inform the city’s own positive youth justice approach to reduce the number of youth entering the system, improve outcomes for youth while in the system, and prevent youth from returning to the juvenile system or entering the adult system.

Matt Cervantes, Sierra Health Foundation’s Associate Director of Health Programs, shared the initiative design, federal and state juvenile justice policy context and implementation lessons learned with service providers, policymakers, philanthropy staff and other leaders.

Learn more about the Positive Youth Justice Initiative and get publications on The Center web site.

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California Executives’ Alliance affirms commitment

The California Executives’ Alliance for Boys and Men of Color made a post-election statement affirming its commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and championing fairness and opportunity. As a member, we are pleased to share this statement with our partners.

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Program Associate position available

We’re accepting applications for a Program Associate to provide support in the areas of program research, development, implementation, evaluation and administrative support for the Positive Youth Justice Initiative, the California Executives’ Alliance and the Leadership Development for Racial Equity program. See the job description on our Employment web page.

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Exhibit features Project Voice artists

The current art exhibit in our Conference and Education Center features young women artists from Mercy Housing California’s Project Voice program, exploring the lives of and giving voice to residents living in public and affordable housing.

Project Voice is an after-school youth development program that empowers young women to be leaders and social advocates in their community. The students interviewed and photographed their neighbors and other residents throughout Sacramento and San Francisco, hoping to promote dialogue, build bridges, strengthen community and teach the value of listening. Learn about Mercy Housing California.

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