Baltimore is amongst 9 jurisdictions throughout the nation to be chosen by the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis (RWJF) to obtain its 2023 Tradition of Well being Prize.
The Prize celebrates communities throughout the nation the place residents and organizations are collaborating to construct options to obstacles which have created unequal alternatives for well being and wellbeing. With the Prize, RWJF seeks to encourage others to take motion and create a more healthy future for everybody’s kids and grandchildren.
Since partnership inside communities is on the coronary heart of the Prize, it’s awarded to entire cities, cities, tribes, reservations and counties. The 2023 Prize winners, which can every obtain $250,000, are Austin, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan; Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles County, California; Ramsey County, Minnesota; Tacoma, Washington; and Zuni Pueblo.
“The work of our present and previous Prize winners highlights the true endurance of community-born options, and their success conjures up larger collaboration throughout private and non-private sectors,” stated Dr. Julie Morita, RWJF government vp. “This yr’s winners reveal what’s doable once we work in partnership and be sure that group members with lived expertise take the result in establish and dismantle obstacles to well being and wellbeing.”
Baltimore was chosen for this yr’s cohort as a result of it’s the first U.S. metropolis to efficiently transfer coverage ahead that helps psychological well being via trauma-informed care, driving a cultural shift towards a trauma-responsive authorities that facilities hope and therapeutic. Mandating coaching for hundreds of metropolis staff, Therapeutic Metropolis Baltimore’s partnership has already led to the elimination of truancy and zero-tolerance drug insurance policies within the metropolis’s library system. Earlier than the coaching, if somebody entered the library and gave the impression to be beneath the affect, they might be kicked out of the library and written up. Now they’re getting assist and consequently, Baltimore has turn out to be a mannequin for related efforts starting in Cincinnati and Philadelphia.
Right here’s extra concerning the different nominees:
Detroit, Michigan: Demonstrating a deep dedication to handle structural racism has impressed change in Detroit that cuts throughout race, ZIP codes, and age teams. Detroit’s work exemplifies the energy that comes from partnerships to create extra complete options to its group’s challenges. The Detroit Affiliation of Black Organizations, a federation of greater than 130 Black and non-Black organizations, has labored along with many companions throughout Detroit to construct group unity that empowers residents with entry to a variety of sources, companies, and training—together with hypertension screening, after-school applications, and suicide prevention efforts—and advocates for group wants via the media.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation: Members of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa have constructed collaborative methods that carry again conventional methods of dwelling which were with them endlessly however have been dormant or taken away due to colonial and racist oppression. For instance, after advocating for the legalization of their language, conventional video games, and different cultural practices, the band has revitalized the Ojibwe lifestyle all through the group. Members developed a sturdy meals system based mostly on cultural practices; and efficiently caused public health-driven insurance policies and applications associated to mitigating smoking, youth detention, and incarceration.
Houston, Texas: Houston is a metropolis recognized for its foodie tradition, however historic redlining and structural racism means many neighborhoods lack wholesome meals. Black-led organizations from completely different communities are working to alter that through the use of city farming, farmer’s markets, and nook shops to make wholesome meals obtainable to their communities and stimulate financial development. For instance, the Group Well being Fairness Community, a collective effort of interconnected leaders, communities, and organizations, is growing entry to nutritious meals in Houston’s traditionally Black and Latino neighborhoods. The partnership in Houston is dedicated to coaching group members in advocacy in order that they’ll proceed to affect native coverage and lead wanted options to the challenges their communities are going through.
Los Angeles County, California: In Los Angeles, California, a motion for Black households is main the county towards a Tradition of Well being that facilities pleasure and justice by addressing structural racism on the root of Black maternal well being disparities. Due to this work, over 500 Black people who’ve given beginning and their households in Los Angeles have obtained free doula help, and the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being is shifting towards antiracism in tradition and insurance policies. The Los Angeles County African American Toddler and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative’s extraordinary efforts are demonstrating the ability of what’s doable when companions share a imaginative and prescient for liberation and an understanding that programs of care—not Black households—want to alter to handle structural racism. Companions share a imaginative and prescient for ending disparities in Black maternal and toddler mortality by upholding communities which might be greatest positioned to help households that give beginning.
Ramsey County, Minnesota: Situated within the coronary heart of Saint Paul’s Twin Cities area, Ramsey County is residence to communities which might be proactive in constructing their very own future to heal the wrongs of the previous. The robust basis of on-the-ground group partnerships was constructed out of a need to regain Kujichagulia (self-determination). Kujichagulia 2.0 is a novel effort between the community-based nonprofit Cultural Wellness Middle, Ramsey County, and the Black Group Fee on Well being. Making Black group members integral to county decision-making—whereas retaining the duty to policymakers—is central to their purpose of eliminating systematized racist practices associated to well being, housing, training, profession alternatives, and different points that disproportionately have an effect on the Black group.
Tacoma, Washington: In downtown Tacoma, you’ll see a big and colourful mural that depicts the main points of Decision 40622, Tacoma’s declaration to turn out to be an antiracist metropolis. Companions within the Tacoma Anchor Community share a imaginative and prescient that everybody is handled with equity and worthiness, that everybody has what they should make ends meet, and that younger individuals within the metropolis have an actual shot at their greatest future. Tacoma is tackling financial inequity via progressive, citywide approaches targeted on supporting individuals of colour and eradicating obstacles. For instance, Tacoma’s Fairness Index permits town and companions to quantify, and map wants after which distribute sources equitably.
Zuni Pueblo: For Zuni Pueblo, fostering a Tradition of Well being facilities on reclaiming sovereignty by reintroducing centuries-old farming practices and dealing throughout generations to protect language and cultural practices. As a result of companions have targeted their work on language and tradition reclamation, they’ve been capable of uplift tradition as an avenue for reaching group well being. On the middle of all of it is Zuni’s deeply unifying strategy. The Zuni Youth Enrichment Challenge collectively addresses points akin to meals sovereignty, group training, cultural preservation, sustainable agriculture and gardening, and water conservation. For instance, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, companions labored along with the Zuni Agricultural Committee to create and distribute gardening and rain harvesting kits to over 500 households, reintroducing conventional gardening practices and offering vital sources.
ABOUT THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
The Robert Wooden Johnson Basis (RWJF) is dedicated to enhancing well being and well being fairness in the US. In partnership with others, it’s working to develop a Tradition of Well being rooted in fairness that gives each particular person with a good and simply alternative to thrive, irrespective of who they’re, the place they reside, or how a lot cash they’ve. For extra info, go to www.rwjf.org.
