Jefferson Regional Foundation

IMPROVE THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY OF JEFFERSON HOSPITAL THROUGH GRANTMAKING, EDUCATION & OUTREACH.

THE JEFFERSON REGIONAL FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS TO PROMOTE THE OVERALL HEALTH AND VITALITY OF THE COMMUNITY UTILIZING THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AS A LENS FOR RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. THIRTY-FOUR GRANTS WERE AWARDED WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR. THE FOUNDATION HAS IDENTIFIED SIX PRIORITY AREAS FOR ITS GRANTMAKING, WHICH ARE: HEALTH AND WELLNESS; DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION; WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY; CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND POLICY WORK; EARLY CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; CAPACITY BUILDING. OF THE OVERALL GRANTS AWARDED 19 WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE CATEGORY OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND INCLUDED COMPONENTS OF OTHER SOCIAL DETERMINANT CATEGORIES WITH AN AVERAGE GRANT AMOUNT AWARDED OF $59,000. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.THE REMAINING GRANTS AWARDED WERE IN THE REMAINING DETERMINANT CATEGORIES ALSO FOCUSED ON OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH. OF THE 15 REMAINING GRANTS, THE AVERAGE AWARD AMOUNT WAS $70,000.HEALTH AND WELLNESS GRANTS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK CENTER FOR INCLUSION HEALTH/RECOVERY MEDICINE PROGRAMTO ENHANCE RECOVERY MEDICINE SERVICES FOR JEFFERSON RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER AND OPIOID USE DISORDER THROUGH SUPPORT OF SOCIAL WORK, PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE STAFF TO ESTABLISH AN ONSITE PROGRAM AT JEFFERSON HOSPITAL BY 2023.ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK/JEFFERSON HOSPITAL/TALENT ATTRACTION PROGRAMTO EXECUTE AN ALLIED HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS WHICH WILL ASSIST DIVERSE STUDENTS IN OVERCOMING IDENTIFIED BARRIERS AND CLEARLY DEFINE A PATHWAY TO BE HIRED INTO ALLIED HEALTH POSITIONS AT JEFFERSON HOSPITAL WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN THE DELIVERY OF TRUSTED HEALTH CARE.AMERICAN RED CROSS/HOME FIRE PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMTO INCREASE HOME SAFETY BY PROVIDING FREE SMOKE DETECTORS, FIRE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS EDUCATION WITHIN THE JEFFERSON SERVICE AREA. IN ADDITION, OFFER DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO FIRE SURVIVORS WHO LIVE IN THE JEFFERSON SERVICE AREA THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS.ATTACK THEATRE/COMMUNITIES IN MOTIONTO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 600 YOUTH LIVING IN DUQUESNE THROUGH MOVEMENT AND DANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DUQUESNE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WESTERN PA, AND THE DUQUESNE FAMILY CENTER.BEVERLY'S BIRTHDAYS/PROMOTING HEALTH & EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENTTO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITY TO JEFFERSON WOMEN AND PARENTS/CAREGIVERS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP DURING PREGNANCY AND THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE BY OFFERING 20 GROUP BIRTHDAY PARTIES, 8 COMMUNITY BABY SHOWERS, PROVIDING TANGIBLE ITEMS OF SUPPORT (BABY/BIRTHDAY SUPPLIES AND CLOTHING), AND BUILDING AN AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TO GUIDE FUTURE PROGRAMMING.BHUTANESE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF PITTSBURGH/SUSTAINING HOLISTIC IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE COMMUNITY HEALTHTO STRENGTHEN HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BHUTANESE COMMUNITY BY BUILDING AND RETAINING STAFF CAPACITY AND MOVING FORWARD WITH A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.CASA SAN JOS/BASIC NEEDS AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE LATINO POPULATIONTO INCREASE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF JEFFERSON LATINO INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES BY EXPANDING EXISTING SERVICES (SERVICE COORDINATION, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY/ADVOCACY) AND PILOTING A BI-LINGUAL, CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TELEHEALTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY/EXPANDING ACCESS TO TRAINING FOR HEALTH CAREERSTO OFFER A HEALTH CAREERS SUMMER PROGRAM THROUGH CCAC SOUTH TO EXPOSE 10TH TO 12TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS TO THE VARIOUS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES STUDENTS CAN PURSUE THROUGH THE 21 ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS OFFERED AT CCAC.ESTEEM GROUP, INC./SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR JEFFERSON YOUTH TO PROVIDE 350 WEST MIFFLIN AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS (4TH AND 5TH GRADE) WITH SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL PROGRAMMING.GLOBAL LINKS/COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROGRAMTO PROVIDE NEEDED SURPLUS MEDICAL SUPPLIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH JEFFERSON HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES SERVING OLDER ADULTS AND/OR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS TO INCREASE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES TO LEAD HEALTHY LIVES AND MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE.HELLO NEIGHBOR/REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AND ENGAGEMENTTO INCREASE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF REFUGEE FAMILIES LIVING IN JEFFERSON COMMUNITIES BY SUPPORTING THE LAUNCH OF A NEW, FEDERALLY FUNDED RECEPTION AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM WHICH USES A VOLUNTEER-LED COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM TO ENGAGE THE BROADER JEFFERSON COMMUNITY IN IMPROVING REFUGEE CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION THROUGH ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING, EDUCATION, JOBS, LANGUAGE, AND NAVIGATING AMERICAN SYSTEMS.HEUER HOUSE/GLASSPORT HEALTH AND WELLNESSTO SUPPORT THE OPERATION OF THE HEUER HOUSE FOOD PANTRY AND COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTIONS TO JEFFERSON RESIDENTS. SUPPORT OFFERED TO MITIGATE THE DISPROPORTIONATE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO BLACK LED AGENCIES THAT FOCUS ON RECOVERY HEALTH SERVICES.MAPLE UNIFIED STUDENT ACADEMY (MUSA)/EARLY LEARNING EXPANSIONTO EXPAND CAPACITY FOR CONSISTENT, HIGH-QUALITY, LOW-COST PRESCHOOL BASED IN HOMESTEAD FROM 20 TO 37 CHILDREN TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND INCREASE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY.NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIES (STEEL SMILING)/EXPLORING COMMUNITY-BASED, BLACK MENTAL HEALTH PERCEPTIONSTO GROW RELATIONSHIPS AND ESTABLISH TRUST WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ENTITIES IN THE SOUTH HILLS AND MON VALLEY COMMUNITIES THROUGH A LISTENING TOUR TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SPECIFIC, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS EXPRESSED BY THE COMMUNITY AND WORK TOWARD EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMMING.THE BLESSING BOARD TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR MORE LOW-INCOME JEFFERSON FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS BY SUPPORTING THE OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF A FURNITURE BANK AT A NEW WEST MIFFLIN SITE.VENTURE OUTDOORS/OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALLTO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE JEFFERSON YOUTH AND OLDER ADULTS IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY THROUGH TARGETED PROGRAMMING PROMOTING HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND OFFER TEENS A MENTORSHIP/ INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO EXPLORE OUTDOOR CAREERS CALLED THE OUTDOOR INCLUSION COALITION.VISION TO LEARN/VISION RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS IN JEFFERSON COMMUNITIESTO INCREASE THE HEALTH AND SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT OF SCHOOLCHILDREN IN JEFFERSON COMMUNITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS (ELIZABETH-FORWARD, WEST MIFFLIN, AND BRENTWOOD) BY OFFERING VISION EXAMS TO 500 STUDENTS AND GLASSES ONSITE TO 400 STUDENTS.WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA DIAPER BANK/ACCESS TO DIAPER AND HYGIENE SUPPLIESTO EXPAND ACCESS TO FREE DIAPERS AND OTHER HYGIENE ESSENTIALS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF JEFFERSON FAMILIES IN NEED, VIA THE ABILITY TO INCREASE ACCESS BY THE DIAPER BANK TO JEFFERSON PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT/STRENGTHENING AND SUSTAINING HEALTHY COMMUNITIESTO INCREASE AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FACTORS FOR EMPLOYEES AND FAMILIES IN 24 EARLY CHILDCARE CENTERS, ENGAGE TWO JEFFERSON SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN HEALTHY SCHOOLS RECOGNITION, AND CONDUCT 24 HOME ASSESSMENTS FOR JEFFERSON RESIDENTS/FAMILIES BY PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON AN ECO-HEALTHY CHECKLIST AND OFFERING LOW-COST, SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR JEFFERSON FAMILIES/CHILDREN.

INVESTING IN LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR IMPACT CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY OF JEFFERSON REGIONAL FOUNDATION. CAPACITY BUILDING; YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND POLICY WORK; DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION; AND WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY; ARE ALSO KEY FOCUS AREAS. THE JEFFERSON REGIONAL FOUNDATION AWARDED 15 GRANTS WITHIN THOSE CATEGORIES. THE GRANTS AWARDED TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF THE OVERALL COMMUNITY INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING REPORTED ON SCHEDULE O.DRESS FOR SUCCESS PITTSBURGH/MOBILE SERVICES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EVENTSTO INCREASE THE CONFIDENCE AND CAPACITY OF 425 LOCAL FEMALE RESIDENTS PREPARING TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE BY PROVIDING EACH WOMAN WITH APPROPRIATE INTERVIEW CLOTHING, UNIFORM ITEMS, AND CAREER SUPPORT DELIVERED THROUGH A MOBILE BOUTIQUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JEFFERSON AREA ORGANIZATIONS.FIRST STEP RECOVERY HOMES/ADDICTION RECOVERY SUPPORTTO ENHANCE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEN SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION WITH A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. SUPPORT OFFERED TO MITIGATE THE DISPROPORTIONATE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO BLACK LED AGENCIES THAT FOCUS ON RECOVERY HEALTH SERVICES. FOOTBRIDGE FOR FAMILIES/RAPID RESPONSE FUNDING TO SUPPORT JEFFERSON FAMILIESTO ASSIST 3040 JEFFERSON RESIDENTS DURING TIMES OF SHORTTERM FINANCIAL CRISIS AND PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM WHICH FACILITATES RAPID FINANCIAL RESPONSE TO VENDORS.GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA/MON VALLEY OUTREACHTO BUILD A STRONG SENSE OF SELF AND CONFIDENCE FOR 40 GIRLS IN GRADES 4-6 THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL GIRL SCOUTS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE WITH STAFF-BASED SUPPORT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROPEL HOMESTEAD, PROPEL MCKEESPORT, AND THE DRAGON'S DEN.LITERACY PITTSBURGH/BRIDGING THE GAP FROM LEARNING TO EARNINGTO FOSTER A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS FOR JEFFERSON ADULT LEARNERS BY EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CAREER PATHWAYS IN CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTHCARE, IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR CARETAKERS AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND IMPARTING VITAL DIGITAL SKILLS.MELTING POT MINISTRIES/YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORTTO SUPPORT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN SOUTH PARK, BALDWIN-WHITEHALL, AND BETHEL PARK BY PROVIDING AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND CULTURAL LIFE CHALLENGES.PENNSYLVANIA WOMEN WORK/RISE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTSTO PREPARE 100 IMMIGRANTS RESIDING IN JEFFERSON COMMUNITIES FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING INSTRUCTION, INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING, MENTORSHIP, AND SHORT-TERM TRAINING.PITTSBURGH URBAN LEADERSHIP SERVICE EXPERIENCE (PULSE)/EXPANDING NONPROFIT STAFF CAPACITYTO PROVIDE EXPANDED STAFF CAPACITY TO JEFFERSON NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BY SUPPORTING A UNIQUE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WHICH CULTIVATES A COMMUNITY OF YOUNG SERVANT LEADERS WHO ARE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES TO PARTNER WITH PITTSBURGH NONPROFITS FOR A YEAR OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP.PITTSBURGHERS FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT/TRANSIT CIVIC ENGAGEMENTTO ASSIST JEFFERSON RESIDENTS IN ACCESSING CRITICAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND FOOD SITES BY ORGANIZING TRANSIT RIDERS AND WORKERS TO DEVELOP AND ADVOCATE FOR A STATEWIDE TRANSIT FUNDING SOLUTION.PRIORITY AREA: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND POLICY WORKPUBLICSOURCE/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, STORYTELLING, AND JOURNALISMTO INCREASE JEFFERSON ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BY PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SIX EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/STORYTELLING TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED JOURNALISTS AND DRAW ATTENTION TO THE JEFFERSON AREA BY HIGHLIGHTING 15 STORIES WHICH MAY INCLUDE FIRST-PERSON ESSAYS.THREE RIVERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (PARTNER4WORK)/CAREER EXPANSION SITES, LABOR MARKET DATA, AND BANKWORK$ TRAININGTO INCREASE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN THE JEFFERSON AREA BY DELIVERING CAREER PROGRAMMING FOR 40 JEFFERSON RESIDENTS LEVERAGING THE PUBLIC WORKFORCE SYSTEM, TRAINING 15 PARTICIPANTS IN OCCUPATIONAL SKILL TRAINING IN THE SOUTH HILLS AND DELIVERING QUARTERLY LABOR MARKET UPDATES TO KEY STAKEHOLDERS.TRYING TOGETHER/INCREASING CHILDCARE QUALITYTO INCREASE ACCESS OF JEFFERSON AREA LOW-INCOME WORKING PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDCARE EDUCATION BY PARTNERING WITH LOWER-RATED JEFFERSON CHILDCARE PROVIDERS (BOTH COMMERCIAL AND HOME-BASED) TO INCREASE THEIR STATE STANDARD QUALITY RATING.VETERANS BREAKFAST CLUB/EXPANSION AND MEMBERSHIP MODELTO SUPPORT LOCAL VETERANS AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH BY RE-INTRODUCING LOCAL, IN-PERSON STORYTELLING EVENTS IN THE JEFFERSON AREA (8 IN MCKEESPORT AND 4 IN BETHEL PARK), EXPANDING ONLINE PROGRAMMING, LAUNCHING A NEW MEMBERSHIP MODEL, AND ADDING PART-TIME EVENT STAFF CAPACITY.YOUTHPLACES/MON VALLEY EXPANSIONTO SUPPORT POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR 100 TEENS AGES 12-18 IN MCKEESPORT AND DUQUESNE BY EXPANDING PROGRAM OFFERINGS AND OPENING A NEW LOCATION IN DUQUESNE.YWCA OF GREATER PITTSBURGH/ECONOMIC AND EQUITY ADVANCEMENTTO PROVIDE PROGRAM SUPPORT TO 31 JEFFERSON INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES FOR HOUSING AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE AND ADVANCE THE PAY EQUITY CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE WORK CULTURE AND CONDITIONS FOR ALL WOMEN IN THE REGION.

NEW STRATEGIC PLAN AT ITS DECEMBER 2020 BOARD MEETING, JEFFERSON REGIONAL FOUNDATION ADOPTED A NEW THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN AFTER A THREE-SESSION REMOTE BOARD RETREAT AND SEVERAL MONTHS OF WORK. THIS PLAN WAS INFORMED BY A THIRD-PARTY STAKEHOLDER SURVEY AND INTERVIEWS, BOARD AND GRANTEE INSIGHTS, AND COMMUNITY DATA GATHERED FROM ONGOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDING COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS, AN ANNUAL FORUM EVENT AND A 100+ MEMBER NETWORK OF NONPROFITS HOSTED BY THE FOUNDATION. THE FOUNDATION CONFIRMED KEEPING ITS MISSION AND OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY FRONT AND CENTER. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.THE FIVE STRATEGIC GOALS INCLUDE:1. INVEST THROUGH GRANT-MAKING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN SIX NEW PRIORITIES (NOTED IN PART III, LINE 1A) 2. CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE JEFFERSON HOSPITAL LEGACY SERVICE AREA (COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH BUT IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY) 3. PURSUE PARALLEL GOALS OF ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS WHILE MAINTAINING AN EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF PHILANTHROPIC RESOURCES TO HELP FUTURE GENERATIONS ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THEIR TIME.4. APPLY A LENS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND ACROSS OUR INTERNAL PRACTICES.5. SUPPORT A CULTURE OF LEARNING AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN OUR GOVERNANCE PRACTICES, INTERNAL SYSTEMS, AND EVALUATION. THE ACTION PLAN WITH SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS IS NOW BEING INTEGRATED AND IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE BOARD'S STANDING COMMITTEES AS WELL AS A DEI TASK FORCE. THE BOARD'S DEI TASK FORCE DEVELOPED A PLAN AND PRINCIPLES, HOSTED A BOARD EQUITY BOOK CLUB, AND OFFERED ACCESS TO BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND TRAININGS. THE BOARD ALSO BECAME MORE DIVERSE AS NEW MEMBERS WERE WELCOMED. IN ONE FISCAL YEAR, THE BOARD MOVED FROM BEING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY MALE (18/2) TO AN IMPROVED REPRESENTATION (13 MEN/7 WOMEN). AS THIS RETURN WAS PREPARED, THE BOARD ALSO INCLUDED TWO PEOPLE OF COLOR (10%) AND HAS A COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO BUILD ITS DIVERSITY WHILE ATTRACTING CANDIDATES WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE INTERESTS, SKILLS, AND EXPERTISE WITH A COMMITMENT TO THE JEFFERSON AREA. THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD LIVE AND WORK IN THE JEFFERSON AREA. THE STRATEGIC PLAN AFFIRMED THE FOUNDATION'S ROLE IN EXTENDING THE MISSION OF JEFFERSON HOSPITAL IN COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING AND THROUGH ITS EXPANDING COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. THESE ARE HIGHLIGHTED BELOW. THE JEFFERSON COLLABORATIVE WAS INITIATED IN THE FALL OF 2015 IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST OF LOCAL NONPROFITS AND HAS CONTINUED TO EVOLVE WITH QUARTERLY MEETINGS WHICH HAVE GROWN TO AVERAGE 97 PARTICIPANTS, ONGOING ACTION TEAMS AND 100+ MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS OF THIS NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO HEALTHY COMMUNITIES IN THE JEFFERSON AREA. A SEVENTEEN-MEMBER VISION COUNCIL MEETS QUARTERLY TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP TO THE COLLABORATIVE AND HAS REPRESENTATION FROM KEY INSTITUTIONS AND DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE COO OF JEFFERSON HOSPITAL/AHN. THE FOUNDATION AND COLLABORATIVE PUBLISH A JEFFERSON COMMUNITY DIRECTORY UTILIZED BY JEFFERSON HOSPITAL STAFF WHICH IS A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE AREA AND IS NOW IN ITS THIRD PRINT EDITION AND AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. THE FOUNDATION STAFF INCLUDES A FULL-TIME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER TO SUPPORT THE JEFFERSON COLLABORATIVE AND OTHER COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DURING THIS FISCAL PERIOD INCLUDE:THE JEFFERSON COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCED 13% GROWTH SINCE 2020 DURING THE PERIOD WHEN EVENTS WERE ALL VIRTUAL AND HAS NOW GROWN TO A DYNAMIC 108-MEMBER NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING NONPROFITS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THE JEFFERSON AREA. NEW ACTION TEAMS MET THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO FOCUS ON KEY AREAS OF DIVERSITY & EQUITY/RACIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIC & POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND WERE IMPLEMENTING THEIR PLANS. THE DEI TEAM OFFERED A DAYLONG TRAINING IN IMPLICIT BIAS ATTENDED BY 60 COLLABORATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TEAM HAD SEVERAL MONTHS OF TRAINING FROM A LOCAL ADVOCACY EXPERT AND IS COMPLETING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CIVIC/POLICY PLAN FOR THE COLLABORATIVE.COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMMING TOPICS INCLUDED: PURSUING EQUITY AND CHANGE THROUGH COLLECTIVE ACTION, EXPLORING TRENDS AND EQUITY IN OUR NONPROFIT SECTOR, AND A NEW MEMBER VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENT CALLED COLLABORATIVE CONNECT.JEFFERSON FORUM: JEFFERSON FORUM (8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE) CENTERED AROUND THE THEME OF NAVIGATING THE UNKNOWN AND HOW WE HAVE ADAPTED TO SHIFTING DEMANDS AND CREATED NEW WAYS OF OPERATING IN OUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES. WE CHALLENGED OUR NEARLY 200 ATTENDEES FROM OVER 100 ORGANIZATIONS TO CONSIDER WHERE POSSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES EXIST, EMBRACING THESE CHANGES THAT FRAME OUR DAILY LIVES WITH UNITY AND INGENUITY.