October-November 2022 

The Center’s Board of Directors and CEO Chet P. Hewitt appointed Kaying Hang President of the organization.

Kaying joined the organization in 2013 and has served on the Executive Management Team since 2018, most recently as Senior Vice President of Programs and Partnerships for both The Center and Sierra Health Foundation. Kaying has assumed authority over The Center’s operations and strategy to position the organization for continued success.

“Social justice and racial equity are central to my life’s work. It’s a privilege to advance these goals at the intersection of health here at The Center. It’s an honor to accept this new role and continue to work alongside our CEO, Chet P. Hewitt, and our talented staff,” Kaying said. “I look forward to serving the people and communities most in need across Sacramento and California.”

Read more about Kaying on The Center website.

The California Department of Health Care Services is utilizing available federal grant funding to support syringe service programs to implement projects offering low-barrier access to treatment of opioid use disorder, as well as related supportive services such as case management and peer support. Access application details and submission instructions on the MAT Access Points Project website.

The Center recently announced the first round of grantees through our new Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI). CEMI is a $17.7 million (and growing) fund focused on diversifying the nonprofits involved in receiving and directing federal and state climate-resilient economic development initiatives.

This initial cohort of 17 grantees embodies CEMI’s intent to increase opportunities for community organizations to decide how public funds are spent and diversify who receives those funds. Grantees are located throughout the state, with an emphasis on California's inland communities that have historically been overlooked for inclusive economic development opportunities. These organizations will be part of cross-sector decision-making groups and will bring their commitment to dignity for all work and workers to the public funds that are helping communities create more equitable and resilient economies. We especially thank our partner The James Irvine Foundation for their partnership in selecting these first grantees through the funder-designated Advised Fund.

We invite community-based organizations to join us for a virtual briefing to learn more about CEMI on Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. Register to attend on Zoom.

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) in partnership with The Center announced the award of almost $1.2 million to 12 community-based organizations from throughout California. These grants will allow organizations serving individuals experiencing severe mental illness, serious emotional disturbance and substance use disorders to identify future needs for recovery services in their communities and in the state. These grants are a part of Phase 1 of the Behavioral Health Recovery Services Project, a statewide effort to increase the number and quality of culturally responsive behavioral health recovery service programs.

Learn more on the Behavioral Health Recovery Services Project website.

Congratulations to 61 Elevate Youth California community partners that have received awards up to $1 million to develop or increase youth substance use disorder prevention, outreach and education. With more than $58.5 million in funding and technical assistance, the community-based and Tribal organizations will focus on youth activism, mentorship and peer-led supports that lift youth empowerment and leadership with a focus on impacting policy, systems and environmental change. To date, 246 awards to community-based and Tribal organizations have been made to prevent youth substance use.

Learn more on the Elevate Youth California website.

The My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Sacramento Youth Fellowship Creative Academy launched their All-Access Podcast series titled “Mastermind.” The youth fellows produced this series to inform, inspire and encourage other young men of color to engage in opportunities through the MBK Sacramento network. Each week until early December, a new podcast episode will be released. You can listen to them wherever you access your podcasts and on Buzzsprout.com.

In a special celebration held at the Sacramento State University Alumni Center, the My Brother’s Keeper Sacramento Education Strategy Team and Improve Your Tomorrow convened education leaders, community partners and students to recognize the goals achieved by the 1300 Campaign. The campaign is a community-led systems change initiative that seeks to permanently transform the historical systemic barriers that have limited opportunities for young men of color. The campaign works with local, regional and statewide partners to develop, advance and establish the deep-rooted change necessary to send 1,300 additional young men of color to University of California and California State University by 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Over the last 18 months, Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt served as the 1300 Campaign co-chair along with Dr. Edward Bush, President at Cosumnes River College. Last month’s “Pass the Baton” celebration was to announce that Dr. Robert Nelsen, President of Sacramento State University, and Melanie Dixon, President of American River College, will now spearhead the work of getting more young men of color into the higher education pipeline.

The campaign has achieved 14 percent of its five-year goal, with 147 additional young men of color accepted into university college campuses across California this year. Congratulations to the students, Improve Your Tomorrow and MBK Sacramento!

Chet P. Hewitt was honored at Improve Your Tomorrow’s annual “Champions of Change” Sneaker Ball fundraiser. Chet was honored for “going above and beyond in creating positive change for young men of color” in the Sacramento region. More than 200 guests attended the event, rocking out in their sneakers and helping raise more than $300,000 for the program. You can learn more in this ABC10 story.

Photo: Improve Your Tomorrow CEO and Co-Founder Michael Lynch recognizes Chet P. Hewitt at the Sneaker Ball.

Chet P. Hewitt was honored as an Exemplary Leader at the American Leadership Forum Awards Dinner on Oct. 6. Every year, the American Leadership Forum hosts and celebrates regional, diverse and collaborative leadership by honoring awe-inspiring leaders who have made a tremendous impact in the greater Sacramento region. To read more about the honorees, visit the American Leadership Forum website.

Photo: Congressman Ami Bera and Chet P. Hewitt are honored by the American Leadership Forum. Photo courtesy of Tia Gemmell Media.

Nilda Valmores, Senior Program Officer for the Stop the Hate program and Behavioral Health Recovery Services Project, was honored at the ICON Awards held by the Filipino community of Fresno on Oct. 8.

Nilda was recognized for her long-term exemplary leadership in the Filipino community.

Photo: Nilda Valmores (right) is honored during Filipino American History Month and stands with leaders.

The Colour of Music Festival returned to Sacramento Nov. 15-18. The festival showcased some of the top Black classical musicians in the United States and is considered the most diverse classical repertoire of baroque, classical and 20th century music at the highest of musical standards.

Since 2013, the Colour of Music Festival has offered a musical kaleidoscope highlighting the impact and historical significance of Black classical composers and performers on American and world culture.

Learn more on The Colour of Music website.

We invite community-based organizations to join us for a virtual briefing to learn more about the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI) and work to build an inclusive and equitable economy.

Nov. 29
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Register to attend

Matt Curtis is the new Managing Director of Health Equity and Access. He oversees programs supporting the health and safety of people who use non-controlled substances and people inequitably affected by COVID-19, asthma and other conditions on the basis of race or poverty. Before joining our team, Matt spent nearly 25 years working in interrelated areas of public health and human rights, most recently leading efforts to expand access to harm reduction services throughout the state for the California Department of Public Health. His earlier work was centered in Eastern Europe and Asia with the Open Society Foundations, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization.

Managing Director of CEMI

Kendra Noel Lewis is the new Managing Director of CEMI. Kendra has served in leadership roles across the greater Sacramento community, most recently as the Executive Director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance. She is the past Vice President of the Sacramento YWCA, a current board member of Traveler’s Aid — a 125-year-old Sacramento institution — and past treasurer of the San Francisco Community Land Trust and Sacramento Urban Debate League. Her love of community and desire to uplift the community will continue to fuel her work at The Center.

Also new to the team:

Alexa Nunez, Human Resource Technician
Azia Cherry, Executive Assistant to the President of The Center
Hannah Finegold, Program Associate, Asthma Mitigation Program
Keith Wilson, Grant Accountant

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