Health Leadership Program Class XIV applications due April 24

The Health Leadership Program strengthens the skills of leaders in nonprofit organizations and public agencies whose mission is dedicated to improving health and quality of life in their communities. We invite current and emerging leaders in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley to apply for Class XIV.

Applications are due on April 24 by noon. Learn more and get the brochure and application materials on the Health Leadership Program web page.

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Leadership Development for Racial Equity applications due April 10

In partnership with The California Endowment and Sierra Health Foundation, The Center will award a total of $100,000 to support advocacy-related capacity building and leadership development activities in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley. Funding is open to youth-focused organizations led by people of color working to eliminate health disparities, with an interest in increasing their organizational capacity to address issues of racial equity.

Applications are due by April 10 at 1 p.m. Information and application instructions are available on the Leadership Development for Racial Equity web page.

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Positive Youth Justice Initiative enters next phase: Organizing for a Healthy Justice System

We are pleased to announce 11 nonprofit community-based organizations and their countywide collaboratives that will join us as we launch the next phase of the Positive Youth Justice Initiative.

As we complete our implementation phase of the initiative with public agency partners, we now will deepen our investments in communities, grassroots organizations, youth and family members most impacted by the juvenile justice system, who will use their expertise and passion to bring about change.

These organizations and their community partners play critical roles in advancing a healthy justice system agenda, and represent racial and ethnic populations that are overly represented in and inequitably treated by the juvenile justice system. They have led the call against the mass incarceration of communities of color to end the school-to-prison pipeline and to address the racial disparities found throughout the system.

These new partners will meet in Los Angeles on April 7 to begin their work together at the first Organizing for a Healthy Justice System convening, where they will strengthen connections and build collaboration, and begin to identify policy themes for the work ahead.

Learn more and see the list of grantee partners on the Positive Youth Justice Initiative web page.

The Positive Youth Justice Initiative is funded by Sierra Health Foundation, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation and the Zellerbach Family Foundation, and is managed by The Center.

Photo courtesy of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice.

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Equity on the Mall impact seen across San Joaquin Valley

Since the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s Equity on the Mall, which brought together 1,100 residents and advocates at the California State Capitol last month, communities continue to mobilize across the San Joaquin Valley in their efforts to ensure a “Golden State for All” with improved health and racial equity throughout the region.

Leaders and advocates are using and sharing data from the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s report, California’s San Joaquin Valley: A Region and Its Children Under Stress, to identify priorities and investments needed to transform the region into a place where all children have the opportunity to thrive.

Access the report and the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s Policy Platform, as well as media coverage, photos and videos on the Equity on the Mall web page.

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Putting Communities First

Philanthropy News Digest last week published a blog by Sierra Health Foundation and The Center President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt. The blog highlights the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund and how that model works to promote community voice to address inequities in the Valley. Read Putting Communities First: A Collaborative Fund for the San Joaquin Valley.

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Foundations unite as California Funders for Boys and Men of Color

The California Executives’ Alliance to Expand Opportunities for Boys and Men of Color and its members from 19 foundations continue their work to align their efforts, resources and influence to improve the lives of boys and men of color in California. The collaborative recently changed its name to California Funders for Boys and Men of Color to bring clarity to others in philanthropy and in the field about its focus.

Regionally and statewide, the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color works closely with the statewide Alliance for Boys of Men and Color to advance policy and community organizing. Earlier this year, the California Funders sponsored a legislative educational briefing by the Alliance to share its policy platform and priorities, which include safety of youth in schools, trauma and healing, reinvestment in community and employment opportunities. Together, the platform and priorities provide a strong framework for action and serve as a guide for stakeholders seeking to improve outcomes for boys and men of color and other vulnerable populations. See the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color web site for more information about the policy priorities.

Learn more about this work on the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color web page.

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Black Child Legacy Campaign to hold Gathering for GLORY

The Gathering for GLORY: Giving Love to Our Rising Youth conference on April 20 promises to be a day “where faith meets action.” Conference organizers envision the gathering as a way to bridge the wisdom, perspectives and experiences from the faith-based community to those in Sacramento County communities working to reduce African American child deaths. Hosted by the Black Child Legacy Campaign, the conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Sacramento Christian Center Church, 7710 Stockton Blvd.

Gathering for GLORY will feature inspirational keynote speakers, panel workshops and presenters, as well as a vendor fair. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is available now! Contact us for information about scholarship and volunteer opportunities.

In Sacramento County, African American children die at twice the rate of any other ethnicity. The Black Child Legacy Campaign is the community-driven movement established by the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths, which is working to reduce deaths of African American children by 10% to 20% by 2020 in Sacramento County. Learn more on The Center web site.

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Chet P. Hewitt to receive Terrance Keenan Leadership Award

Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt will receive Grantmakers In Health’s 2017 Terrance Keenan Leadership Award in Health Philanthropy, which recognizes outstanding grantmakers whose work is distinguished by leadership, innovation and outstanding achievement. Learn more on the Grantmakers In Health web site.

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Kindra Montgomery-Block recognized as one of capital region’s bold young leaders

Sierra Health Foundation Program Officer Kindra Montgomery-Block is among 12 young leaders recognized by Comstock’s Business Magazine in its March issue. The article provides a glimpse into the future of the region through the eyes of its emerging leaders in the publication’s annual salute to young professionals. Read Today’s Visionaries, Tomorrow’ Vision.

I believe this career chose me. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like work because it’s what I’m called to do. – Kindra Montgomery-Block

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#PeoplePursuing

Throughout 2017, we are highlighting the work of partners who convene at our Conference and Education Center through a campaign called #PeoplePursuing. We invite you to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for new inspiring posts!

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