Health Forward Foundation

📢 Big news for housing justice: We are proud to have funded efforts to introduce a Right to Counsel program in Kansas City, ensuring that more residents have access to legal representation during eviction proceedings — ultimately helping more people stay housed and healthy.

With the federal government now making resources available to expand these vital programs, we are optimistic that more communities will receive the support they need — especially as states like Missouri are making eviction moratoriums illegal.

Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom

HUD Makes $40 Million Available to Prevent Evictions and Prevent Homelessness HUD No. 24-174 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685 FOR RELEASE Thursday July 11, 2024 HUD Makes $40 Million Available to Prevent Evictions and Prevent Homelessness The funding will provide legal assistance at no cost to low-income tenants. WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developm...

We're celebrating National Health Center Week by honoring our region’s amazing health centers! Thank you for providing high-quality, whole-person care and centering equity in all you do. Your innovative approach to making health care more inclusive is inspiring.

Health Forward Foundation is proud to support the Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages campaign. By supporting this campaign, we aim to ensure that Missouri workers have access to up to 7 paid sick days per year and a minimum wage that gradually increases to $15/hour.

These changes will improve health outcomes for kids, families, and communities, creating a stronger economy that benefits everyone.

🗓️ Primary Elections in Kansas and Missouri are on August 6, 2024! 📢

Make a plan to vote. And make sure your friends and neighbors have a voting plan, too. The KC Voter Guide is a great place to start: kcur.org/kcvoterguide2024

The decisions we make through civic engagement have a profound impact on our health and well-being. By getting involved, we can influence policies and systems that lead to better health outcomes for all. Let's make a difference together.

We highly recommend starting your Friday by celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion with 900 fellow Kansas Citians! This year's Power of Diversity breakfast was the most attended yet, a true testament to our community's commitment to inclusion. A diverse community isn't just vibrant — it's stronger and healthier. Well done, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce! 🌟👏

Make an impact with our board of directors! Health Forward is seeking candidates to fill three to four vacancies on our 2025 board. We will prioritize finance, legal, investment, and rural expertise in our selection of directors. https://healthforward.org/board-member-application/

Exciting news! After providing invaluable support as a contract administrative assistant since 2023, Shonja West is now a permanent part of our work to support and build inclusive, powerful, and healthy communities. Please join us in officially welcoming Shonja to the Health Forward community!

The places we live impact how healthy we are.

Health Forward's Jennifer Tidwell will be a featured panelist at the upcoming "Brick by Brick" Affordable Housing Town Hall on Aug. 1 at the KC Public Library - Plaza Branch. This event is free and open to all! Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the affordable housing crisis in Kansas City and discuss potential solutions. Reception at 5 p.m., panel at 6 p.m. See you there! https://swopehealth.org/swope-health-affordable-housing-town-hall/

Swope Health REACH Healthcare Foundation

👋 Say hello to Sonia Khosla, our newest team member at Health Forward! We're thrilled to welcome her as our new Communications Associate. We can’t wait to see the incredible work we’ll accomplish together. Welcome, Sonia!

🗳️ Hey Missouri! Your voice matters! In-person advance voting for the upcoming primary election kicks off on Tuesday, July 23! 📅

By participating in elections, we contribute to creating longer, healthier lives for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Need to do some research? The KC Voter Guide has everything you need to make informed choices. Check it out here: kcur.org/kcvoterguide2024

"I want more people who look like me to join me in this work, or to even know that it exists. I want them to experience what I have gotten to feel during the last year." – Robert Gibson, Health Forward Policy Impact Strategist

New policy impact strategist sees a future with more people of color in philanthropy - Health Forward Foundation For anyone who is looking, thinking, or wondering about working in the field of philanthropy — I have some short and hopefully sage advice: determine your “why” for doing the work you are passionate about and follow that work with intention wherever it leads you.

🗳️ Hey Kansas! Your voice matters! Early voting for the upcoming primary election kicks off on Wednesday, July 20! 📅

When we vote, we're not just picking leaders—we're making decisions that impact our future health outcomes. Our democracy thrives when everyone participates.

Need to do some research? The KC Voter Guide has everything you need to make informed choices. Check it out here: kcur.org/kcvoterguide2024

👏 We're celebrating Keonna Baldwin and Lydia Wolfe whose internal United Way employee engagement campaign received honorable mention at United Way of Greater Kansas City's Waymaker Awards! They truly embody our values and drive our work forward. 🌟💙

July is National Minority Health Month, organized by the HHS Office of Minority Health. This year's theme calls on all of us to be the .

In the Kansas City region, we know that systemic racism has been built into our systems for far too long, continuing to prevent people of color from living their healthiest lives. Together, we can ensure everyone has access to the care and opportunities they need for healthy lives. Discover how you can take action and join us in our mission: hhs.gov/national-minority-health-month/

📢 Our summer Pulse newsletter has arrived! 📢

Catch our latest updates on funding, community impact, advocacy resources, and more.

🔗 Read now: https://icont.ac/4Z4xG

Summer is the perfect time to unwind and recharge, and what better way to do that than with a great book? Here at Health Forward Foundation, our team has curated a list of inspiring and thought-provoking reads. Whether you’re looking for new insights into social change, innovative strategies for organizational growth, or just a captivating story that will change the way you think about the world, our staff recommendations have something for everyone.

Summer reading recommendations from Health Forward Foundation - Health Forward Foundation Here at Health Forward Foundation, our team has curated a list of inspiring and thought-provoking reads. Whether you're looking for new insights into social change...

As we celebrate our nation's independence, let's remember that true freedom includes the right to health and well-being. At Health Forward Foundation, we advocate for policies and practices that advance health equity and ensure everyone can access the care they deserve. Join us in our creating a more fair and healthy society. Together, we can make a difference.

🗓️ Voter registration deadlines are approaching for 2024 primary elections! ⏰

🗳️Missouri – Register by Wednesday, July 10 ⏩ https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri

🌻Kansas – Register by Tuesday, July 16 ⏩ https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/voterreg

💥 Don't underestimate the impact you can make. Civic engagement is our best way to improve health outcomes. 🗳️💪 Let's be actively involved in our communities and elections to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve good health!

🗓️ Voter registration deadlines are approaching for 2024 primary elections! ⏰

🗳️Missouri – Register by Wednesday, July 10 ⏩ https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri

🌻Kansas – Register by Tuesday, July 16 ⏩ https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/voterreg

Civic engagement matters because it directly influences the health and well-being of our communities. 🗳️🏥 Let's use our voices to advocate for policies and actions that lead to better health outcomes for all!

Join us in welcoming Tara Gonzales Hacker to the Health Forward community! Today is Tara's first day as our director of impact, learning, and evaluation. She recently returned to the Kansas City region and is looking forward to dedicating energy toward the pursuit of health equity. Let's get to work!

This morning was filled with remembrance as the City of Independence, MO, Government dedicated a historical marker in honor of The Neck neighborhood and the families who lived there.

Health Forward was proud to support the work leading up to this moment because it tells the full story of how unfair systems and policies impacted the lives and health outcomes of the people who were removed from their homes in the name of "urban renewal."

The Neck was a predominantly Black neighborhood established in 1877 in the heart of Independence, Missouri. It was a close knit, multigenerational, supportive neighborhood where families looked out for each other. Homes were passed down from family to family and represented a great portion of a family's wealth. During a period of urban renewal, these homes were condemned, purchased at devalued prices, and eventually bulldozed. By 1966, the community was gone.

Happy JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival day! It's going to be a warm one! We're powering the Family Health and Cooling Center at the Gregg Klice Community Center from noon until five p.m. Take a break from the heat and stay hydrated. Have fun and stay safe, Kansas City!

This Saturday, JuneteenthKC is throwing a party in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District! With warm temperatures ahead, be sure to take care of yourself and your people!

We're proudly powering the Family Health and Cooling Center at the Gregg Klice Community Center from noon until 5 p.m.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, marks the historic emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in the U.S. In addition to its many celebrations, Juneteenth symbolizes a commitment to reckon with the past and work toward an inclusive future.

Have fun and stay safe!

We believe in the power of storytelling to drive change. That's why we sponsored the annual conference for health journalists organized by Association of Health Care Journalists. More than 500 journalists and health care advocates from 375+ organizations gathered in New York City for insightful sessions, field trips, and innovative discussions aimed at shaping the future of health journalism.

We also wanted to make sure our Kansas City region was represented. So we supported four local journalists in making the trip to NYC. Thank you to Elisabeth Elustin (The Kansas City Defender), Suzanne King (The Beacon Kansas City), Vickie Moss (Iola Register), and Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga (Kansas News Service and KCUR 89.3)!

🗓️ Voter registration deadlines are approaching for 2024 primary elections! ⏰

🗳️Missouri – Register by Wednesday, July 10 ⏩ https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri

🌻Kansas – Register by Tuesday, July 16 ⏩ https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/voterreg

Civic engagement has a profound impact on our health and well-being. 🌟🏥 By getting involved, we can influence policies and systems that lead to better health outcomes for all. Let's make a difference together!