|
News and Updates
|
Partners Gather to Discuss Sustainable Communities
On August 16, 84 San Joaquin Valley Health Fund partners gathered in Merced and via video conference for the second convening of the Round 2 Cohort. Dynamic leaders discussed building a movement for sustainable communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The panel was moderated by Alicia Sebastian from the California Coalition for Rural Housing and panelists included Edgar Garibay from Catholic Charities-Diocese of Stockton; Lupe Martinez from the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment; Erendira Calderon from The Greenlining Institute; and Veronica Garibay from Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.
Partners discussed their perspectives on a regional movement for sustainable communities in which advocates tackle systemic injustices, and how state and government agencies can meaningfully partner with community-based organizations and residents. Additionally, Allison Joe, Deputy Director for the California Strategic Growth Council, and Monica Palmeira, the Sustainable Communities Outreach Coordinator, gave an overview of the Affordable Housing component of the Cap and Trade Program. They reviewed the estimated process and answered questions on how this program may work in the San Joaquin Valley. See the Strategic Growth Council’s presentation.
We encourage you to continue connecting with one another so that the powerful work that’s happening in the San Joaquin Valley continues.
|
|
|
Who’s Got The Power? We’ve Got The Power!
We are powerful when we join forces, and that unity can lead to systemic changes that promote health equity. As civil rights activist and labor leader Dolores Huerta said during our first convening in Fresno in March 2015, “Who’s got the power? We’ve got the power! What kind of power? Voting Power!”
The power of voting was further highlighted at the November 2015 convening in Merced when guest speakers Mindy Romero, PhD, Director of the Civic Engagement Project at the UC Davis Center for Regional Change; and Karin Wang, Vice President of Programs and Communication at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles, spoke about the latest research regarding Latino and Asian-American voter turnout in the Valley and the broader future implications.
Voting is an important way to have a say in what happens in your community. You can register to vote through the California online voter registration web page.
|
|
|
Featured Partner: Public Health Advocates
Public Health Advocates (formerly the California Center for Public Health Advocacy) received a San Joaquin Valley Health Fund grant to gather community input for the city’s general plan and to ensure children have access to healthy beverages.
A general plan is the foundational policy adopted by a city or county that guides land use, growth, zoning and community design in the short, medium and long term. With support from the SJVHF, over the past year Public Health Advocates has engaged more than 200 residents through key informant interviews and community workshops to get their input on Stockton’s general plan update on increasing access to healthy foods and beverages, and making the city more walkable and bikeable. At the same time, Public Health Advocates is training a team of grassroots African American community leaders to engage in advocacy and education efforts for the formal general plan development process.
Public Health Advocates also is coordinating Healthy Drinks: Within Our REACH, a multifaceted diabetes prevention campaign for African Americans whose diabetes rates are among the highest in the city. Their advocacy has included educating community residents and an engaging public education campaign that includes posters, a compelling radio ad campaign, and ads on local buses. With partners throughout the city and support from the SJVHF, Public Health Advocates is helping to make Stockton healthier.
|
|
|
Policy Committee Updates
In July, we welcomed Community Water Center as the 42nd Policy Committee member. During our July meeting, Sarah Hutchinson, Senior Program and Policy Coordinator at ACT for Women and Girls, and Pedro Ramirez, Director of Organizing at Community Water Center, presented their non-partisan civic engagement objective of building a coalition of nonprofits, community groups and organizations for large-scale voter registration and issue education campaigns. Representatives from the Advancement Project also presented on their Achieving Racial Equity initiative, and Policy Committee members were invited to provide input.
Join us at the next Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 28, at the Center for Health Program Management’s San Joaquin Valley office at 521 W. Main St. in Merced from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To learn more about the Policy Committee’s ongoing work, please contact Program Officer Amparo Cid or Program Associate Nora Dunlap.
|
|
|
Partner Updates
Greenlining the Hood
The Greenlining Institute, Fathers and Families of San Joaquin and Little Manila Foundation co-planned a community forum in Stockton called Greenlining the Hood: Reclaim and Rebuild Our City. The successful event brought together representatives from Kaiser Permanente, California ReLeaf, California Strategic Growth Council, the Department of Community Services and Development, and the Air Resources Board to discuss how funding focused on resident-identified priorities can bring real benefits to communities. Read about this event in The Record.
Homero Mejia: Rising Star of Stanislaus County
Homero Mejia, Executive Director of Congregations Building Community Modesto, was recognized by The Modesto Bee as one of the 20 rising stars who are helping to build the future of Modesto and Stanislaus County. In accepting the award, Homero said: “As long as I can recall, my mom and dad have been volunteers at our local church and community events. I grew up seeing my parents being involved and making their opinions count. My parents instilled in us the importance of helping others and being respectful of others in our community. I believe that if we say we love our community, we need to show it with actions and not just words.” Read more in The Modesto Bee.
Historic Landmark Settlement of Title VI Civil Rights Complaint
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice (Greenaction) and El Pueblo Para el Aire y Agua Limpia/People for Clean Air & Water of Kettleman City (El Pueblo) reached a historic agreement with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the California Environmental Protection Agency to resolve Greenaction and El Pueblo’s civil rights complaint over DTSC’s 2014 decision to approve a permit to expand the Kettleman Hills hazardous waste landfill. Legal counsel for this case was SJVHF partner California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. Read more in Vida en el Valle.
|
|
|
Training Opportunities
Professional Development Opportunities in Technology
The California Wellness Foundation is providing a free professional development opportunity through the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) for staff of SJVHF partner organizations. NTEN’s Nonprofit Tech Readiness program is a six-month course for early- to mid-career nonprofit professionals to strengthen their knowledge of technology best practices and move forward on a specific technology project. It will be online with one in-person event in San Francisco with support for travel. Space is limited. The application deadline is September 16. Contact Ash Shepherd at the Nonprofit Technology Network with questions.
Latino Equity Project
The Latino Equity Project invites SJVHF partnes to participate in free leadership training that focuses on racial and health equity. The training is funded by The California Endowment and will be in Fresno from September 14-16 at United Way. To be considered for this leadership training, please complete the online application.
|
|
|
Job Board
Social Services Coordinator
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) is dedicated to providing pro bono representation and positive systemic changes in both law and policy to benefit unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children. Their Fresno office is currently hiring a Social Services Coordinator. Learn more.
Community Grants Manager (two positions)
Health Net, Inc. is looking to fill two Community Grants Manager positions in Woodland Hills and Fresno or Rancho Cordova. The position is responsible for implementation, oversight and daily management and operationalization of Health Net’s community investment efforts for an assigned region. Learn more.
Grants and Program Manager
The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) is looking for an entrepreneurial and highly organized individual who can oversee and manage grants and programs supported by the Foundation. The individual will work to ensure that LCF meets the goals and reporting requirements of funding partners including private, corporate, giving circles and individual donors. He/she will also be responsible for the financial administration of program budgets. Learn more.
|
|
|
Funding Opportunities
San Joaquin Valley Health Fund
The Center for Health Program Management will announce details for the third round of funding through the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund in September. Be sure to read the September 2016 e-newsletter for information on eligibility criteria, opportunities to connect in-person for a proposers’ conference, webinar options, deadlines and more.
Ben and Jerry’s Foundation – Up to $25,000
Ben and Jerry’s Foundation has a Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program that makes one-year grants up to $25,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets under $500,000. Learn more.
Clif Bar Family Foundation – Up to $12,000
The Clif Bar Family Foundation awards grants for general organizational support as well as funding for specific projects. Applications are reviewed three times a year and the next deadline is in October. Learn more.
Open Society Fellowship – One year fellowship with a stipend of $80,000 or $100,000.
The Open Society Fellowship was founded in 2008 to support individuals pursuing innovative and unconventional approaches to fundamental open society challenges. The fellowship funds work that will enrich public understanding of those challenges and stimulate far-reaching and proving conversations within the Open Society Foundations and in the world. The first deadline to submit letters of inquiry is September 7. Learn more.
|
|
Resources
Meeting Space in Merced
The Center for Health Program Management’s Conference Center helps organizations working to improve health equity in the San Joaquin Valley achieve their mission by providing a venue for education, training and collaboration. Nonprofit organizations whose vision and goals are compatible with the Center’s are encouraged to apply for use of the facility free of charge. The Conference Center is located at 521 W. Main St. in Merced. Learn more online.
SJVHF Video Series
Part 1: Learn about the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, meet three grantee partners who are doing great work in the Valley and hear from three of the funding partners.
Part 2: SJVHF partners are working to make the Valley a healthier place to live, work and prosper. This second video highlights grantee partners and the work they are doing in the Valley.
Peer Learning
We encourage peer learning and sharing among SJVHF partners. To facilitate regional collaboration on systems and policy change work, we encourage you to reach out to your fellow colleagues using this contact list of all 58 funded partners.
|
|
|
We Want to Hear From You
This newsletter is for you and is by you. Please share stories, photos and upcoming events to be included in the newsletter. Contact Nora Dunlap.
|
|
|
SJVHF is Social
If you or your organization tweets, please use the hashtag #SJVHF to call attention to the work you are doing in San Joaquin Valley communities!
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. These social media pages are resources for collaboration and connection with other organizations doing similar work. Please feel free to post upcoming opportunities, job announcements, etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
