CHMRC Community NetworkNews
On June 12, 2014, California Health MRC (CHMRC) was founded to serve communities in times of crisis. What began as a volunteer-led Medical Reserve Corps unit grew into a force of 163 trained individuals ready to respond, support, and serve, in addition to employees. Together, we stood at the front lines during COVID-19, delivering vital services and emergency response efforts where they were needed most.
Public health data isn’t just about compliance; it’s about connection. For health systems, meeting state-mandated reporting requirements is non-negotiable. But doing it well requires time, precision, and infrastructure that often pulls focus from what matters most: patient care.
In moments like these, when headlines shift by the hour, funding streams feel more fragile, we’re reminded of something simple but powerful: local still matters.
In small towns and urban pockets alike, something remarkable happens when people come together over food. Not just any food - but food they’ve grown, nurtured, shared. It’s not about flashy initiatives or expensive programs. It’s about neighbors showing up early with stools in hand, kids giggling in line for veggies, and master gardeners teaching the next generation how to save seeds. It’s about connection. It’s about dignity. It’s about community.
Join CHMRC CEO Ellen Young for an intimate fireside chat with Gina Brown, founder of Let Us Learn, Inc.—a nonprofit sowing seeds of hope and health in New Albany, Indiana.
In New Albany, Indiana, food insecurity isn’t just a statistic—it’s a daily reality. With poverty rates reaching as high as 48% in some neighborhoods and New Albany High School situated in a census tract with a 15% poverty rate, the need is urgent and deeply rooted. But thanks to community-led efforts like Let Us Learn, that reality is shifting—one garden, one student, and one rescued veggie at a time.
Innovation in longevity isn’t just about tech - it’s about rethinking how we connect, care, and build strong communities. Global aging and innovation thought leader, Stephen Johnston, shares his insights on the shift from aging to longevity, the role of AI, and how we can create systems that work for all.
On April 17, 2025, CHMRC CEO Ellen Young hosted an exclusive webinar introducing The Bloomerang Network, a grassroots initiative designed to connect leaders, innovators, and changemakers across public health, community engagement, and longevity.
The Bloomerang Network (TBN) is more than just a platform - it’s a growing movement designed to bring together leaders, innovators, and changemakers across community engagement and longevity. Powered by CHMRC, TBN was created as a space where individuals and organizations can collaborate, share insights, and exchange ideas to drive meaningful impact in their communities.
What does it take to create real, lasting change in communities? Catherine Huckaby, Founder of the Community Positive Project, has spent her career working at the intersection of local government, public service, and grassroots action. In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey - from volunteering in her local PTA to leading community engagement teams in major cities - and how she’s shining a light on community leaders shaping their own communities.
