Join Our Next Meeting!
Questions?
Contact Emily Gratopp at emily.gratopp@unl.edu or (402) 441-8388.
Purpose
- Eliminate the current life expectancy gap & build health equity
- Capitalize on individual and organizational strengths to bring health equity to all community members
- Understand health equity from those living, working, worshiping and learning in areas experiencing health disparities
- Amplify the voices of all community members, both adults and youth
Priority Task Forces
Building Trusting Relationships & Social Healing
Host listening sessions & neighborhood events; develop pathways to amplify community voice and build trust & connection.
Health access & Anti-discrimination in Healthcare
Develop schools as central-access hubs for families and neighborhoods for health access; eliminate discrimination experienced at medical clinics; increase diversity & inclusion of all people.
Resource sharing & Collaboration
Develop innovative systems for resource sharing/referrals between sectors, non-profits, clinics and businesses; identify key informants in community to transmit resource/referral information.
Transportation
Increase access to healthcare & healthy living options; develop innovative transportation options; decrease barriers associated with current public transportation.
We are seeking people to be active members and thought leaders on these task forces to move these priority issues forward into action.
We are always accepting coalition members.
We are always recruiting Master Health Volunteers (complete a training on health and then volunteer in our community to make it a healthier place).
Health Equity Dialogues
Health Equity Dialogues is a safe, generative space for sharing, listening and connecting around the commonality of health inequity experiences. The purpose of the dialogues is to create spaces of healing within a community that cares, empathizes and relates to each other. The structure of the Health Equity Dialogues revolves around one main story-teller who will share a health equity experience prior to open dialogue for people to connect, empathize, share relatable experiences, along with movement towards healing, solutions, and change.
Anyone willing to enter the virtual space with curiosity, openness, and empathy ready to listen and contribute will be welcomed.
Resources and Information
Building a Healthy Community: What Lincolnites Say (PDF), written by Emily Gratopp (article begins on page 2)
Lancaster County Extension Nebline Article on Health Equity (PDF), written by Emily Gratopp
Healthcare Access and Anti-Discrimination Task Force Virtual Learning Series (Fall 2021)
Nebraska Appleseed on Healthcare Access
The Malone Center on Maternal Wellness for Women of Color
Lincoln’s Community Learning Centers Full Service Community Approach
Values of the Coalition
We believe there are enough resources
Basic Human Rights that all deserve:
- basic necessities
- quality healthcare
- housing
- safety
- food
- health
Everyone should have equal access to be able to lead a healthy life, regardless of their zip code, race, creed or sexual orientation
Our ability to pay should not determine our health
No child should be left hungry
We believe it takes us all
Everyone has worth & should be heard, acknowledged and valued
Those most impacted by decisions should be at the decision-making table
We accept shared accountability
All voices matter
It takes a village
We believe in "both and"
There is no one right way of living
Our Approach
We will do this work by ...
- listening
- humility
- empathy & emotional intelligence (affective & effective)
- compassion
- abundance mentality
- inclusivity
- kindness and caring
We will recognize and uphold the inherent worth of all people and respect for human dignity
We will make people feel needed versus needy
We will build health equity not equality
We will be “person first” - distinguishing between the system and the individual
We will focus on what is strong versus what is wrong
We welcome anyone to join our coalition that meets these criteria:
- Values health and wellness
- Believes health and wellness are within everyone’s reach
- Inclusive and accepting of all members of Lincoln’s community
- Commits to take action to improve the health of others and the community at large
- Collaborates with other organizations to create a healthier community
Everyone in the community plays a role in building health equity. The Lincoln Health Equity Coalition believes ‘it takes a village’ to build health equity. We invite you to join us. There are many ways to be formally involved with the Health Equity Coalition.
Health Equity Coalition Member Roles
Coalition Member
A coalition member is an individual who attends coalition meetings, aides and assists coalition events, and thus is a voting member of the body.
Coalition Affiliate
A coalition affiliate is a group or individual who may not have the capacity to be a full member. In the case of the group, a coalition affiliate includes any business or non-profit organization that partners or supports the coalition. An affiliate could also include a group or organization that the coalition supports. An individual affiliate would include individuals who cannot fully devote themselves to being a member of the coalition but still is committed to partner with or support the coalition.
Stakeholder
A stakeholder is an individual whose investment, both monetarily and temporally, goes beyond that of a coalition member. Without the support and work of these individuals the coalition would cease to exist.
Expert
An expert is an individual of a group or population that has knowledge or experience of a specific area beyond what others know. The support of the experts allows for insight into different goals and aspects of the coalition.
Youth advisor
Youth advisors are individuals who will support, listen to, and advocate for the youth members of the coalition and the population.
Community advisor
Community advisors are individuals that represent different communities and will support, listen to, and advocate for that community.
Sponsor
Sponsors are groups or individuals that provide monetary, physical, or resource support for the coalition.
Current Health Equity Coalition Membership
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs)
- Catholic Social Services
- Lutheran Family Services
- Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
- Mentors Plus
- Nebraska Extension
- NeighborWorks Lincoln
- Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln
Community Members without organizational affiliation
- Janet Buck
- Pam Edwards