Today, Sierra Health Foundation announced an investment of $1.23 million across three initiatives that redress disparities for historically excluded communities across California. Each grantee has a unique approach, including chronicling lost narratives of historical injustices, providing crucial financial support to families and reducing economic and environmental inequities.
“To address our communities’ current crises, we have to understand the historical context that shaped these challenges,” said Chet P. Hewitt, President and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation. “Sierra Health Foundation is proud to offer strategic investments that acknowledge the realities of the past in order to shape a better future.”
The grants were awarded to the following partners:
California Consortium for Urban Indian Health – To support a feature length documentary on the journey and learnings of the multi-year Truth and Healing Council project. The goal of this ongoing initiative is to clarify the historical record of the relationship between the State of California and California Native Americans in the spirit of truth and healing. Quarterly meetings provide a space for California Native Americans to host presentations, share and record narratives and experiences, examine historical documents and conduct other activities that promote learning and understanding.
United Way California Capital Region – To support its Guaranteed Income Program, which will provide an unrestricted guaranteed income of $500 per month to 80 Sacramento families. Guaranteed income programs throughout the nation have been proven to prevent housing and food insecurity, increase savings and allow participants the flexibility to seek generational and community wealth by enabling them to take hold of entrepreneurship and educational opportunities.
Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI) – To support the implementation of CEMI’s community organizing and power building strategies. The Center developed CEMI to drive equitable and inclusive economic development. These investments further strengthen the ability of underserved and Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Asian communities to influence and eventually lead infrastructure and climate resilience initiatives to reduce economic, environmental and health inequities.
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Sierra Health Foundation forges new paths to promote health, racial equity and racial justice in partnership with communities, organizations and leaders in 26 counties in Northern California.