National Hispanic Heritage Month and other News Worth Sharing

September 15 marked the beginning National Hispanic Heritage Month, and AHF is happy to highlight some exciting news from our partners who are working tirelessly to elevate Latinx stories, specifically in National City.

Environmental Health Coalition’s SALTA Community Leadership Training Program launches late September. SALTA (Salud Ambiental Lideres Tomando Accion – Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action) is a web-based, interactive leadership development curriculum that provides community leaders with skill-building training in community organizing, policy advocacy, building power, community health, environmental justice and effective communication. More than education, SALTA is integrated with EHC’s organizing and advocacy efforts to achieve environmental and social justice. Read more.

Olivewood Gardens has recently learned that their The Kitchenistas documentary which highlights the struggles and accomplishments of families in National City living with diabetes, obesity and other health conditions related to nutrition, will have an exciting local screening next month. We’ll be sure to pass along the details when plans are complete.

The great work of SALTA and The Kitchenistas contributes to the journey of addressing systemic barriers for Latinx persons in San Diego. Through community engagement, mobilization and awareness, we hope to be allies in reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities for communities of color. We encourage you to learn more in the links above!

 

 

Civic Awareness Month

Also in September, Civic Awareness Month recognizes and reminds us of the importance of informing and engaging citizens in working in partnership with local government. Often, this can lead to the development of creative solutions to public problems in ways that are more responsive to community values and preferences. An excellent example of this in San Diego is Mid-City CAN which is comprised of residents of the City Heights neighborhood. In a collaborative approach, teams organize to create a safe, productive and healthy community. Teams are organized around food justice, improving transportation, peace promotion, and youth council. Read more.

 

Staff news

Sarah Lyman, Executive Director, has been appointed to City of San Diego’s housing committee: the Middle-Income Housing Work Group. This 22-member panel of volunteer experts is working on ways to produce more housing for residents who earn too much to qualify for affordable housing and too little to afford our rising market-rate home costs. Read more.

 

 

Min Kim, Program Officer, has joined the Steering Committee of the California Asset Building Coalition. The coalition is a statewide network of diverse organizations working together to advance policies and programs that help Californians save, build assets, and achieve economic security, equity, and justice. Read more.

 

 

Bryan Fisher, Director of Operations, has added Certified HR Professional to his title after studying for and passing the fairly onerous Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification exam. As a small organization without a dedicated HR department, we are grateful that Bryan was willing to invest the time and energy into this professional development while balancing all his other roles for Alliance.

 

 

What’s inspiring us

• There are two new application rounds for CA Small Business and Nonprofits COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Visit CalNonprofits for information and how-to apply webinars. Applications close Sept 30.
• The San Diego Foundation has launched a new Regional Policy & Innovation Center in partnership with the Brookings Institute. Alliance is an initial funding partner, and represented on the Leadership Council of Regional Organizations which will be providing leadership, input and guidance. Read more.
• Grantee Multicultural Health Foundation has been named 2021 California nonprofit of the year by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber. Read more.
• Live Well Advance (Nov 17+18) has a call out for session ideas. Submit your ideas by Sept 24.
• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) has awarded Game Changer a grant to conduct five in-person and virtual Game Changer training events. Read more.
• State of Reform will be holding its Southern California Health Policy Conference in San Diego, December 2. This health-policy focused conference will have a local San Diego focus and is a great opportunity to dialogue about the opportunities and challenges facing our health care system.

# # #