While last session we learned about identifying and amplifying community assets, this weekend we learned about a different approach.  The Gates Foundation supports organizations in addressing many different health problems, big and small, upstream and downstream.  The way they provide their support is strictly through giving money.  We discussed what the benefits and drawbacks of such an approach are. Some of the projects we learned about were very inspiring, while we were also left with the question of - what happens to all these initiatives when the funding ends?  This was a great lesson on how complex it can be to address health locally and globally.

Alhamdulillah we are so excited to start our fifth cohort of Healers of Tomorrow! And what an awesome group it is.  A major theme that emerged from our discussion this weekend was how youth value honesty.  Our young leaders aren't afraid to speak their mind and value other people who can do the same.  Our community only stands to benefit from hearing and elevating these voices.

This weekend we got started with my favorite activity of all time -- asset mapping!  No matter what career you pursue it's important to evaluate what type of approach you are taking to your work and relationships.  Do you have an asset or needs based approach?  In order to move forward and make positive changes we must be able to identify the challenges or problems in our communities and lives.  However it is just as important to identify and amplify our personal and community resources.  The image below from our sister program at the Native Health Initiative beautifully demonstrates the difference between these two ways to address community health.

more growing and glowing coming soon :)

in peace and health
dr sophia