CHMRC Community NetworkNews
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.
Discover how CHMRC's expertise in coalition-building, funding, and strategy helped establish a sustainable, community-driven wellness hub—delivering real impact where it’s needed most.
CHMRC is proud to have funded a groundbreaking study published in Health Affairs Scholar by the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center, titled Tracing Value from Social Determinant Solutions. This research directly aligns with CHMRC’s mission to foster community resilience and promote health equity by addressing the root causes of health disparities. By focusing on interventions that tackle homelessness, food insecurity, and barriers to healthcare, the study reinforces our commitment to building stronger, healthier communities.
