May 9, 2023 – South Coast Equity Coalition!
Audio recording here
Jamar Ruff - Executive Director - South Coast Equity Coalition (SCEC) equity@unitedwayswo.org
Empowering Diverse Communities in Coos & Curry Counties
Acknowledgement of Kokquell, Coos-Lower Umpqua and Suislaw, and Tutuni people for their continued stewardship of the lands that we are gathered on today
SCEC is a Regional Health Equity Coalition (RHEC) — autonomous, community driven and cross sector group
We gather community members to identify pressing health equity issues locally and develop solutions through policy and systems changes
Brief history of Oregon — recorded exclusion, oppression and violence against people of color:
1850s - 60s: Native Americans were forcefully expelled from their homeland and for 160 yrs. have fought to reclaim their land and sovereignty
Racism and xenophobia persisted in the 1900s
Preventing people of color from settling in the area
The only documented racial lynching case in Oregon took place in Coos Bay in 1902 - Alonzo Tucker Memorial at the Coos History Museum
Asian Americans, particularly Chinese and Japanese immigrants working railroads, mines, and canneries were not welcomed by the community
Some prominent local politicians campaigned on the platform that Japanese Americans should not be allowed to own land
This is not just history, it is happening now. Current example is Florida school board
SCEC efforts focus on issues impacting poor populations which are communities of color, Tribal communities including the nine federally recognized Tribes of OR and other American Indian and Alaska Native persons, immigrants, refugees, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, low-income individuals and families, people with disabilites and LGBTQIA2S+ communities, with communities of color as the leading priority
Working with other RHEC in OR to have 5 more and connect existing RHECs to work more cohesively
History, Herstory, Ourstory - SCEC began in 2019 - originally all volunteers - focused on: peer learning, resource sharing, reflecting on personal and organizational growth and challenges & brainstorming ideas for action
3 original priorities:
Advocacy and Amplifying Voices
Providing community education
Identifying equity gaps
Now calling the meeting Community Connections and moved time to 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Seeking to create welcoming and inclusive spaces by using trauma-informed practices, cultural responsiveness, and open communication
Equality: everyone having the same access to resources / Equity: is everyone having access to the particular resources that can make you successful and looking through the lens of cultural appropriate needs — many do not know what they need
Health Equity: People reaching their hightest level of health and wellness regardless of social position or other socially determined factors such as race, ethnicity, language, dsability, sexual orientation, gendre, immigration status, or socioeconomic status
2023 Area Diversity Conference take aways:
Planning committe: meets once a month looking at what education engagement across Coos and Curry to create more opportunities along with annual Diversity Conference
2s + LGBTQ - 2 spirited
over 240 people
Disabilities 101
EQUA
Tribes
Cultural Agility - Cultural Competency ( implies expert) moving toward Cultural Humility (ongoing growth and learning)
Sub coalitions under SCED ( community group that now has a fiscal agent through United Way of Southwestern Oregon)
Southern Oregon Coast Pride (SOCP)
Coos Hispanic Allies (CHA) working toward having a Curry Hispanic Allies
Technical Assistance
We serve as a bridge to historically underserved and underrepresented communities to empower diverse groups to become involved in developing unique, culturally appropriate solutions to pervasive issues of inequity that impact the health outcomes and well-being of community members
Organizational Trainings
Equitable Policies and Procedures
ABC’s of Equity
Thriving Communities Mini Grants
Apply at southcoastequity.org
Mini grants support:
activities, projects, events that lead to policy and systems change
community building, community education, and capacity building
applicants must be 501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored, Tribal Nation, or culturally specific / community-based organization
Scholarships: $20,000 in Scholarships awarded to BIPOC & LGBTQIA2S+ student across Coos and Curry so far
PROGRAMS / MEETINGS:
Soulfood Sundays: Take place last Sunday of the each month 2-4 - A space that creates, celebrates, engages, and strengthens our local black community all ages welcome/ food and beverages provided @126 Market Ave, Coos Bay
Community Connections: Every 3rd Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm - A virtual space for peer learning, education, sharing and advocacy across Coos and Curry counties (ASL provided)
Allies of BIPOC Communities (ABC) - Provides space for people of all races to reflect, grow and learn to be more effective advocates for black, indigenous, and people of color on the Southern Oregon Coast
Curry - 3rd Tuesday of month - 6-8pm @ Chetco Library (405 Alder St. Brookings)
Coos - 2nd Tuesday of month - 6-8pm @ SCEC office (126 Market Ave Coos Bay)
Juneteenth — Keynote Taylor Stewart / Oregon Remembers program — Alanzo Tucker Memorial @ Coos History Museum — Theme this year is Family Reunion
Reception @ Black Market Gourmet — Taste of Resilience - Sunday
African food and cultural focused
Oregon’s Black history
Monday - screening SOUL at the Egyptian Theatre
New Participant intorductions:
Olivia Robinson - AGE+ — Bilingual Community Outreach and Engagement Manager — looking for connection to age related agencies
Riah Safady - All Care Health —role is around Health Equity
Doris Kiragu - Advanced Health Equity - Policy Analyst
Community Partner Updates:
Sam Baugh - Advanced Health -
Eastside school playground May 25th
Community Health Assessment - will be wrapped up end of June and then focusing on Community Health and Wellness Plan for Coos & Curry
Robert Whitsell - Neighbor Works Umpqua — Home Repair Manager - CDBG application completed - response in June
Kara Long - Coos Health and Wellness Prevention - Wolf Walkers at the Egyptian - final one for school - may be raffling a PS5
Brooklyn Perry - The Boys and Girls Club Teen Center - partnering with Coos Drop, North Bend High School, and Crypt Gaming to run a Smash Bros Tournament last week of May into June - ask for gift cards — promoting awareness of safe places for teens after school
Starla Paris - Community Partnership Coordinator for Self Sufficiency -
Childcare resource fair - SWOCC in Coos 10 - 2 on Saturday
ADAPT - RSVP reqired - Mental Health - Gold Beach / Friday
Starla moving to Brookings — returns to work June 20th
Jen Shafer - Executive Director United Way of Southwestern Oregon
Day of Caring - help with yard care in our communities - volunteers June 10th in Coos & June 17 in Curry
Connie Hunter - Curry county - May 19th - Advocate for Brain Injury Workshop & Town Hall - 11 - 2pm @SOCC Curry Campus (Krieger Community Room) Virtual option available upon request
Dave Kracke - Center for Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) - keynote speaker
Screening happening at this event for Veterans and open to community
Contact: Connie.Hunter@outlook.com 602-541-5903 or 541-661-7068
Gordon Clay - Suicide Prevention - May = Mental Health Awareness month (988 crisis #)
May 20th - Health fair in Curry
Next month June 13, 2023 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm - Southern Oregon Coast Pride (SOCP)
Send topic suggestions to Jen Shafer - director@unitedwayswo.org