CHNA 17 sponsors learning and networking around our priority areas – mental health, and racial equity. We provide learning communities, trainings, as well as a newsletter with additional resources.
Racial Equity Learning Community (RELC)
The RELC is a group of professionals from health departments, universities, hospitals, and other service organizations who are centering racial equity and meet to support each other in challenges inherent in the work and share resources. The group invites new members quarterly.
The group meets every other Friday from 10-12pm. Agendas consist of personal check-ins, updates on recent racial equity work at respective organizations, and strategizing around challenges. Often the group has discussions on white supremacy culture, and reviews new tools and content.
We encourage individuals who are participating to complete the Race Matters Organizational Self Assessment before participating and we are happy to share ways to use this tool in your organization. We also require that individuals complete this short survey telling us what they hope to get out of the group. Finally, we recognize that not everyone is able to make every meeting, but for the purposes of building group trust, and cohesion, we ask that you consider your ability to participate somewhat regularly before joining.
Current participants include individuals from the following organizations: Jewish Family and Children Services, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, City of Arlington, Cambridge Health Department, Paine Senior Services, Transition House, Samaritans, Cambridge Public Library, Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention Alliance for Equity, East End House, Neighborhood Counseling Services, Doc Wayne, and others.
Contact Stacy Carruth-Sesia, Planning Director, for more information at chna17info@gmail.com.
Steering Committee Meetings
Steering Committee meetings are open to the public.
They are generally held on first Tuesday of month from 10:00am-12:30pm (October, December, February, April, May) at the Arlington Youth Counseling Center. Email chna17info@gmail.com for more information and/or to participate.
Special Projects/Outreach Committee
Work Description: This subcommittee helps to craft content for the CHNA, such as videos, and case studies. The group has 2 hour meetings, 4-5 times between September-June. Chair: Natasha Pierre. Members: Natasha Pierre (Chair), Jill Harvey, Monica Luke, Catherine Quinerly, Somaia Saba, Emily Fox-Kales, Nancy Rihan Porter, Stacy Carruth-Sesia. Email chna17info@gmail.com to participate.
Event Planning Committee
Work Description: This group helps to shape all convenings (meaning trainings and community forums). Community forum topics will include: scholarship recipients presenting on what they’ve learned, sexual harassment, and hate incident/bullying. Members: Lynn Rosenbaum, Stephanie Venizelos, Shameka Gregory. Email chna17info@gmail.com to participate.
Sustainability Subcommittee
Work Description: This committee is dedicated to strengthening the organizational and financial sustainabililty of CHNA 17. We recently started using a tool from Engine of Success, to analyze our sustainability. This group also helps identify funding sources, and helps write grants.Members: Colleen Leger, Liz Aguilo, Pietra Check, Stacy Carruth-Sesia, Betty Burkes. Email chna17info@gmail.com to participate.
Past Trainings and Community Forums
Our convenings over the past year have included:
- August 2017 Learning Community Organizational Self Assessment Racial Equity
- February 2018 Learning Community Organizational Self Assessment Racial Equity
- Cambridge Speaks: Exploring Local Findings on Mental Health and Racial Equity
- FAQ from Dialogues: Exploring Local Findings on Mental Health and Racial Equity
- Structural Inequities, An On The Ground View
- Racial Disparities in Mental Health
- The Why and How of Affinity Groups
- Leading with Racial Justice – Integrating Equity Into Your Work
- Trauma and Impact of Historical Trauma on African Americans Today; overview of Mount Auburn Community Health Initiative
- Crafting a Hiring Process to Address Implicit Bias / Diversifying your Board
- CHNA 17 Showcase of Funded Projects
- Framing for Racial Equity
- Implicit Bias
- Racism and Health
The information contained in this training is for general information purposes only. The training is sponsored by CHNA 17 and we strive to offer trainings that align with our mission and our health priority areas. Additionally, the CHNA 17 steering committee regularly conducts votes to decide on which trainings to offer. While we endeavor to ensure the quality, suitability and accuracy of the content provided in each training, participants join at their own risk and assume responsibility for their participation.