CATALYST
“With the Foundation’s help, we’re also having
the difficult conversations necessary to address
the health inequities among rural Georgians,”
said Gwen Houston, Early (County) Cares
coalition member. “That is so important. ”
Facilitated by Nathaniel Smith and Arlene
Parker Goldson (at right) of the Partnership
for Southern Equity, all eleven coalitions with
dozens of rural Georgia members will have
completed their first health workshops health
by December 2018.
“This is not easy work,” said Smith. “Confronting
personal histories and systemic inequities that
have existed for decades makes many people
uncomfortable. “
“There is a level of trust that been built in our
coalition over the years,” said Chet Ballard, an
educator and Cook County Family Connection
partner in Adel, Georgia. “We understand
people have different views and they are going
to say what they believe. The workshop helped
our partners see the work that’s involved.”
“
Nathaniel Smith says his goal is to create “safe
spaces” so workshop participants can share
their views on how to achieve health equity in
their communities. “Our solutions have to be
innovative as we move from sympathy to
empathy,” he added. “Change happens at the
speed of trust.”
For more information on The Two Georgias
Initiative, contact Lisa Medellin, Director of
Programs, by phone at 404.653.0990 or by
email: [email protected].
Change happens at the speed of trust.
— NATHANIEL SMITH, Chief Equity Officer, Partnership for Southern Equity
”
On August 8, 2018, community partners
representing the eleven rural coalitions
funded through The Two Georgias
Initiative met in Macon to kick off the
next phase of their work. Paul Schmitz,
(left), CEO of Leading Inside Out in
Milwaukee (WI), was the featured
speaker. See highlights in the video on
the left.
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HEALTHCARE GEORGIA FOUNDATION