|
|
JOIN YOUR REGIONAL NETWORK AND WORK WITH OTHERS AS DEDICATED AS YOU!
|
|
Connecting to meet mental, physical, and emotional needs
Network member spotlight with Mora Public Library
When librarian Mac Reed reflects on their time at the Mora Public Library during the COVID-19 pandemic, they trace their commitment to their community back to their grandparents: “My grandparents taught me that if you see a need, then fill the need,” says Mac, who uses they/them pronouns.
During the pandemic, Mac saw the library became a trusted community resource for information and services. “Libraries are so ingrained in our communities,” says Mac. “[Patrons] looked to us for help and answers, and we did our best,” says Mac. “We’d get current and accurate details for our patrons. We’re librarians and we know how to collect and distribute data.”
“In a way, we were a lighthouse
in the middle of COVID.”
– Mac Reed, East Central Regional Library
But the community connections didn’t stop with information. Soon they began seeing a “subtle curve,” in Mac’s words, in the direction in which the library helped their patrons, in addition to offering traditional library services. The library started working with a local food shelf, offering food on custom-built shelves in a previously unused coat closet. “The food shelf folks brought the food over, and the library staff took care of it,” says Mac. After that came diapers, period products, soap, deodorant, and even a revolving seed library—filling the community’s physical, mental, and emotional needs, not just the need for information.
Keep reading: Connecting to meet mental, physical, and emotional needs: Network member spotlight with Mora Public Library
|
“At the end of the day,
every library works toward
health equity in their own way.”
– Mac Reed
|
|
Moving into our second year together
Checking in with Shor, project supervisor
We are excited to launch our second year of programming with you! It’s hard to believe these Networks have existed for a whole year AND that it is only been a year.
The Minnesota Health Equity Networks were designed (thanks to CDC funding) to support organizations that are working on public health issues, and to encourage them to think differently about health equity work and transform those ideas into action. We have been trying to do this by taking a relational approach in our network building. Part of what we work to do is create spaces and content that is relevant to your needs, to spotlight the amazing work happening across the state, and to connect folks to each other in meaningful ways.
|
Moving forward, we hope to fully co-create network gatherings alongside you and your organizations. Because networks are about people, we would love to work with you on planning a regional gathering or a training for the Minnesota Health Equity Networks.
- If you are excited by co-hosting or planning a regional gathering, reach out to your regional coordinator! You can view regional coordinators and contact information at: Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections (scroll down to "connect with our team").
- If you would like to offer a training that you think is important or you have an idea for a training, please reach out to me (shor.salkas@state.mn.us) and we can come up with a plan.
Year two will be exciting!
Let’s keep connecting,
shor
|
|
Training sessions and statewide meetings
-
August 29 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Change-making strategy:
Historical trauma and trauma-informed practices
Dive into another change-making strategy, learn about the effects of historical trauma, and learn a couple of trauma-informed practices with the Health Equity Networks.
-
September 12, 2023 (1:00 - 1:45 PM):
Minnesota Health Equity Network Connections 101
Join us for a deeper dive into our new online connection platform, Minnesota Health Equity Network Connections, which is hosted on the web-based engagement application Bang the Table. Learn how to register, utilize the space, and connect with others.
-
September 18 (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Statewide virtual gathering
Join the Health Equity Networks virtually! At this gathering, we will strengthen our capacity for health equity work by engaging with a process to assess policies and practices using a health equity lens, as a way to build more equitable organizational policies and culture. We will also hear from some awesome organizations to amplify health equity efforts and learn from each other.
-
September 27 (2:00-4:00 PM): Core training:
Community engagement, health equity 101, what makes a successful network
Join the Health Equity Networks to learn about community engagement, get a 101 on health equity, and talk about what makes for a successful network
Regional gatherings
Regional gatherings are free and open to all. Participate in one region, or more than one! All regional gatherings below are virtual unless otherwise indicated. Scroll down for a regional map.
|
|
Share your feedback!
Our team has spent time planning and discussing the future of the Health Equity Networks that we are building together across Minnesota. We have been going deep, envisioning how it would look and feel if the public health system was more responsive to community needs and prioritized health equity and community engagement.
As we’ve had these conversations, it has become clear: We need to hear your voices. How does this change look and feel to you? Your communities? Your organizations? Please share your answers in this anonymous survey!
Survey: Transforming public health
As we continue to visualize the future together, we will share the ideas you have contributed and use them to form and shape what we offer through the Minnesota Health Equity Networks.
Thank you for being a part of envisioning a way of doing things differently in our state!
|
|
|
|
|
