Thank you to everyone that attended our Health Equity Series Kick-off and Cultural Humility Workshop on May 14! As shared by workshop facilitator Jinada Rochelle (pictured on the right),

“Cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-exploration and self-critique combined with a willingness to learn from others. It means entering a relationship with another person with the intention of honoring their beliefs, customs, and values. It means acknowledging differences and accepting that person for who they are."

This thought-provoking workshop focused on giving dignity to communities we live in and serve, learning to listen and change our language to best provide services to people that need them.

Virtual health equity learning opportunities will be available for the duration of the year. Our next event will be in July, focused on how to mobilize data to support health equity- more coming soon!

We would like to congratulate the following organizations for their recent Spark Grant awards, each up to $5,000 to responsively support needs in our community.

• Big Spring Senior Center ($2,400) - To support the health and wellness of social exercise programs for our senior population provided by the Big Spring Senior Center.
• Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg and Shippensburg ($5,000) - To support scholarships to provide quality summer programming for children with families in need in the Shippensburg area.
• Carlisle Area Religious Council ($3,500) - To provide access to clean laundry for those who could not otherwise afford it by providing a free Laundry Night in Carlisle.
• Carlisle Community Coalition ($2,500) - To support the operations of our co-ed, 180 kid, age 8-14 youth basketball league. This league brings kids and community together to foster togetherness and leadership through sport.
• Carlisle Family YMCA ($5,000) - To provide a day camp experience with engaging outdoor education experiences for underserved youth ages 7-12 in the Carlisle Area. 
• Carlisle Tool Library ($2,500) - To purchase tools to supply and give away 25 free tool boxes to those in need.
• Circle of Love Community Outreach Program ($3,000) - To support the opening of the Circle of Love Community Engagement Center to meet the basic needs of underserved Shippensburg residents. 
• Duncannon Senior Center ($2,500) - To purchase a Transit Van that will provide essential transportation for individuals to senior-based programs. 
• Family Promise of Harrisburg Capital Region ($3,000) - To expand the Grow UP program into the Carlisle area, working with Community CARES and Safe Harbour.
• Moving Circles ($3,000) - To enhance social connectedness and belonging through learning conversations among people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Newport PA Farmers Market ($2,500) - To operate a farmers market selling locally grown or raised food and household items once a month from May through November
• Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation ($2,500) - To educate children about the importance of agriculture in their lives and expose them to agricultural careers, we will engage students in grades K-8th in STEM lessons and science experiments on a mobile lab.
• Peyton Walker Foundation ($3,000) - To provide 90-minute cardiac education training to Carlisle Area High School seniors and juniors, including hands-only CPR training and AED usage.
• Project SHARE of Carlisle ($3,000) - To provide boxes with two days worth of food to those who need an immediate assist due to re-entry, probation, homelessness or disability.
• SPY (Supportive Partnerships for Youth) ($1,000) - To purchase educational software and computer desks for new computers that were donated to SPY
• The Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties ($2,500) - To build the skills, knowledge, and confidence in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to enable them to advocate for themselves and others using their lived experience. 
• The Center for Youth and Community Development ($3,500) - To support youth summer program scholarships

Each of the above projects uplift health equity and the social determinants of health. Congratulations to these organizations on your grant awards and thank you for all you do!

Last month, we celebrated our 2024 Match Madness campaign, which raised more than $1.1 million for 58 local nonprofit organizations. The room was full of joyful camaraderie, and we were thrilled to celebrate this significant campaign milestone with our local nonprofit partners.

Thank you to our sponsors at WellSpan Health and M&T Bank for joining us in the celebration! Click here to see more photos from the event.