June 2021 

The COVID-19 pandemic has put California at a crossroads, disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities and exposing what many of us have known for a long time — that systemic racism contributes directly and significantly to illness and shorter lives in communities of color. Now we must decide, as a state, if and how we will address these structural issues, face discomfort humbly and commit to true justice and equity.

Read more on The Center web site.

Sierra Health Foundation annually recognizes individuals who have pioneered significant changes in policy and services to improve health and safety outcomes for children and families. At Sacramento’s Juneteenth Festival on June 19, Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt presented the 2021 Innovations for Children Award to Dr. Natalie Woods Andrews, his fellow Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths co-chair and executive director of Early Learning at the Sacramento County Office of Education. This year’s award acknowledges Dr. Woods Andrews’ leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of Black children and families in Sacramento.

Learn about the Steering Committee and its Black Child Legacy Campaign.

Community members braved the heat to celebrate together at this year’s Sacramento Juneteenth Festival. Held at William Land Park, the event shared messages of hope, healing and resilience with a celebration that included art and music, poetry and theater performances, food vendors, information tables, youth sports and awards.

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, the Black Child Legacy Campaign, Kings and Queens Rise and the Trauma-Informed Wellness Program partnered with the Sacramento Juneteenth Festival to bring a focus on health, wellness, trauma and healing to the event. Activities included COVID-19 vaccinations and on-site health examinations, as well as a mental health town hall with Black mental health professionals and service providers, which concluded the Trauma-Informed Wellness Program’s Week of Wellness.

As part of the celebration, the Black Child Legacy Campaign highlighted its Transformative Justice Evaluation Report with an online conversation on June 18. Community residents joined the Black Child Legacy Campaign, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, Sacramento County, UC Davis and Sacramento State to acknowledge the campaign’s impact and continued goals to empower the African American community in Sacramento. Webinar panelists also highlighted the contributions of campaign partners and their commitment to justice, health equity and uplifting the voice of Black communities for well-being and economic and political freedom. Access the evaluation report on the Black Child Legacy Campaign web site and access the webinar recording on YouTube.

Sierra Health Foundation and The Center are accepting applications for a grants and contracts management associate. Visit our Employment Opportunities web page to learn about the position and apply online.

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, through the Donate4Sacramento COVID-19 Regional Response Fund, earlier this month announced awards totaling $60,000 to four community organizations. Funding will support projects centering healing and cultural pride, with campaigns running through August.

“Donate4Sacramento funds are focused on filling gaps where there is not currently support through COVID-19 relief funds,” said Chet P. Hewitt, president and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation and The Center. “This is an important area of concern where trusted partners with existing community relationships can make a huge impact in the fight to confront and end race-based violence.”

Access the news release to learn more.

The Positive Youth Justice Initiative and our 11 funded partners throughout California continue their work to transform the youth justice system to make it more racially just and align with the developmental needs of young people. The initiative’s current Organizing for a Healthy Justice System grantmaking and advocacy is based on the belief that youth and families directly impacted by the youth justice system must be centered and invested in to achieve the vision of transforming youth justice toward positive youth development.

To support this work, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, with funding from The California Wellness Foundation, is launching the Youth Storytelling for Healing and Justice Project. Three of our Positive Youth Justice Initiative partners — Fresno Barrios Unidos, Silicon Valley De-Bug and Sigma Beta Xi, Inc. — will receive $30,000 grants to engage in this 16-month project to equip young people with the skills to integrate impact and communications strategies into their juvenile justice advocacy. Working with a technical assistance provider, each organization and their community partners will increase their organizational capacity to gather and use data that highlights the impacts of the juvenile justice system on the lives of young people. The project also will focus on policy change and the broader policy environment through education and communications strategies. At the end of the project, partners will share stories that reinforce the Healthy Youth Justice System framework, which includes investing in well-being, focusing on healing and reducing justice system involvement.

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

The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund recently announced the initial expansion of the multi-year, $2.2 million San Joaquin Valley Health Fund Drinking Water Cluster, which now includes 11 funded nonprofit organizations and community coalitions. Community Water Center, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and Self-Help Enterprises serve as the Water Cluster’s three anchor organizations. Newly funded partners include AGUA Coalition; Cantua Creek and El Porvenir; Central California Environmental Justice Network; Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment; Dolores Huerta Foundation; Fairmead Community & Friends; Madera Coalition for Community Justice; and United Lanare.

The Water Cluster partners participate in local Groundwater Sustainability Agency meetings to advocate to protect the drinking water supplies of low-income, rural communities. They also engage in efforts to ensure low-income communities with drinking water issues (such as contamination, unaffordable water rates and vulnerable drinking water supplies) secure funding for short- and long-term solutions. In addition, they work to advance health and racial equity and power building through authentic community engagement, mobilization and grassroots leadership development. Further expansion of the Drinking Water Cluster is anticipated in the coming months.

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

After sitting idly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Simmons Community Center in South Sacramento has new life as a hub for youth and families after a complete renovation. Located in the old Cal Skate building, the Simmons Center now provides a safe and welcoming location for activities and sports, including skating, basketball and volleyball. The center also hosts Sacramento Youth PopUp events multiple times a month.

Developed to be a destination location for families, the Simmons Center is hosting regional volleyball tournaments, which bring visitors from around the region. The model of inclusive economic development creates additional spending power through local tourism in South Sacramento and creates local jobs. At the same time, the center promotes health through physical fitness and improved eating habits, provides recreation and fun activities for youth, and promotes healthy relationships among community residents.

This community economic development concept became a reality through a partnership of The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, the City of Sacramento and South Sacramento Christian Center, in partnership with the residents of South Sacramento.

Kings and Queens Rise is a highly successful co-ed youth sports and mentoring league seeking to prevent and interrupt violence by providing an opportunity for young people in Sacramento to engage in intercommunity activities that provide a caring, productive environment through community building, sportsmanship, and resources for health and safety. The 2021 season launched earlier this month with basketball, golf and NBA 2K opportunities.

The fourth season will engage more than 275 youth ages 9 to 18 from eight Sacramento-area neighborhoods: Arden-Arcade, Del Paso Heights-North Sacramento, Foothill Farms-North Highlands, Fruitridge-Stockton, Marina Vista, Meadowview, Oak Park and Valley Hi.

Kings and Queens Rise is a partnership of the Sacramento Kings, Build.Black. Coalition, Black Child Legacy Campaign, My Brother’s Keeper Sacramento, First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Cameron Champ Foundation, OneSwing Golf Academy, Architects of Hope and Arden Fair Mall.

Learn more on the Sacramento Kings web site.

Sierra Health Foundation was honored to receive the My Sister’s House Civic Hero of Hope Award at the organization’s 2021 Million Dreams Gala on June 28. The award honors organizations and individuals committed to the region and was presented to the foundation by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Sierra Health Foundation is a long-time supporter of the Sacramento-based My Sister’s House, which supports Asian and Pacific Islander and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Learn more on the My Sister’s House web site.

June was National Healthy Homes Month, created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. The 2021 campaign theme is “The Power of Partnerships.” The campaign’s aim is to increase awareness of housing-related health hazards, lead poisoning prevention and the overall principles of a healthy home, especially for low-income populations, and to encourage residents to take the actions and steps for safe and healthy homes. Learn more on the National Center for Healthy Housing web site.

The Latino Community Foundation launched the Latino Power Fund, a five-year, $50 million initiative to invest in Latino-led grassroots organizations committed to progressive social change. The Fund will provide the needed resources to strengthen frontline organizations engaged in healing and movement building, equip and mobilize Latino leaders and voters, and uplift a just and progressive agenda. Sierra Health Foundation is a proud supporter of the Fund. Learn more on the Latino Power Fund web site.