April 2022 

California is on the cusp of receiving and distributing an unprecedented level of financial investments for economic development. The Center at Sierra Health Foundation in partnership with The James Irvine Foundation this week launched the $15 million Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI).

CEMI is an innovative approach to diversifying and increasing the number of community-based organizations that receive funding for sustainable recovery efforts and increasing their ability to determine how resources are invested. The initiative will equip nonprofits to be essential partners in designing inclusive economic development implementation plans. In this way, forthcoming economic recovery investments will be equitable in their allocation and impact for generations to come.

“The past few years have laid bare the impact of long-term disinvestment in poor communities,” said Chet P. Hewitt, Sierra Health Foundation and The Center president and CEO. “We must do all we can to position community institutions to grow power and create opportunity for the places and populations they serve.”

Following the devastating loss of six Sacramentans to gun violence earlier this month, Black Child Legacy Campaign leaders penned an open letter to local decision makers about the importance of community-led violence prevention efforts.

The letter states in part: Sacramento can only be safe for everyone if we build on the existing work, relationships and power in our communities. We can only succeed if we honor the memory of all of those we have lost with meaningful investments in our neighborhoods, resulting in deep and sustainable systemic change.

Read more on the Black Child Legacy Campaign website.

Gun violence is a public health issue here in Sacramento — and across the United States
Capital Public Radio published this story on rising gun violence and the nationwide call for community-led violence prevention and intervention funding. The author shares successes of the Black Child Legacy Campaign and the frustrations campaign partners expressed in this open letter to Sacramento County and City elected officials about the need for a long-term commitment to community programming.

California Foundations Look to Ensure Billions in Government Aid Are Allocated Equitably
Inside Philanthropy interviewed our President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt and The James Irvine Foundation President and CEO Don Howard to discuss the launch of The Center’s Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI). The article describes how these leaders and philanthropic institutions created a solution for equitable distribution of federal and state COVID-19 recovery funds. The initiative will equip nonprofit organizations to influence how funds are spent and design economic development plans to have lasting impact in their communities.

We’re pleased to introduce Chris Cooper, who joined our team earlier this month. Chris serves as the program officer for the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color, a statewide network that is advancing opportunities and removing barriers for boys and men of color. Formerly the director of Neighborhood Safety and Youth Engagement for the Health Education Council, Chris has long advocated for evidence-based solutions to preventing and addressing community violence. Learn more about Chris on our News page.

Please visit our staff page to access names and titles for our full staff.

Our team continues to grow! Please see below for job openings.

Sierra Health Foundation and The Center are accepting applications for three positions:

• Managing Director for Health Equity and Access (Sacramento office)
• Program Assistant for the Medication Assisted Treatment Access Points Project (Sacramento office)
• Program Assistant for the Elevate Youth California program (Sacramento office)

Visit our Employment Opportunities page to learn about the positions and apply online.

The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s annual Equity on the Mall event will be virtual again this year, with activities taking place June 1 and 2.

Now in its seventh year, Equity on the Mall brings together San Joaquin Valley community leaders, residents and statewide partners to hold policymakers accountable to advancing the health and equity of all San Joaquin Valley residents. The event is an opportunity for partners to highlight their community-driven Policy Platform. We will have more details in the May issue of Partnerships and will post on the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund webpage and on Facebook and Twitter.

Maria Cruz serves as a SacCollab resource coordinator and vaccine ambassador at La Familia Counseling Center in Sacramento. She shared the following story about her important work.

Helping the community has always left me with enormous satisfaction in my heart, especially in these times of pandemics. The work that I have done from the front line is nothing compared to all the needs that the community has since we were affected in different ways by the pandemic, seeing the happy faces when they receive some or all of our resources such as food, PPE, financial aid, information on vaccinations, even being able to be emotional support for them, listening to their thanks and blessings makes me feel that I am making a very important difference in the community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make a difference.

Public Policy Institute of California hosted this three-part webinar series, which included in-depth discussions about the economy, education and ensuring an equitable recovery. The links below include event recordings and related blog posts.

• March 23: Betty Yee, California State Controller
  COVID in California: What Have We Learned about the Economy?
• March 29: Tony Thurmond, California Superintendent of Public Instruction
  COVID in California: What Have We Learned about Education?
• March 30: Michael Tubbs, founder of End Poverty in California
  COVID in California: What Have We Learned about Ensuring an Equitable Recovery?