Riverside Co. Names Public Health Community Champions

From Riverside University Public Health: Each year, as part of National Public Health Month, Riverside University Health System—Public Health, honors five individuals or organizations with its Public Health Champion awards.

The five recipients represent the five supervisorial districts and are selected because of their dedication and accomplishment in improving the health status of Riverside County residents; to recognize the collaboration with Public Health and/or other organizations focused on public and population health; and because of their sensitivity to the needs of special populations and reducing health disparities in care and outcomes.

These individuals and organizations have gone beyond what would normally be expected of them. For some it is a personal tragedy or hardship that motivates them, while for others it is the dedication and commitment to help others. We are honored to give them such much-deserved recognition.

2017

First District

Ninfa Delgado, Vice President/COO, RCHF

Ninfa Delgado, Vice President/COO Riverside Community Health Foundation has been instrumental in bringing together a network of community partner organizations to expand healthy eating and active living (HEAL) opportunities for Eastside residents. One of the many projects Ninfa has brought to the Eastside HEAL Zone Initiative is the Resident Leadership Academy. This training has provided Eastside residents the resources and skills to make a large-scale impact on the health of their community. She has successfully leveraged funds and partners to promote healthy eating and active living in Riverside’s Eastside neighborhood.

Second District

Jose Campos, Director, Parent Involvement and Community Outreach, Jurupa Unified SD

As principal at Troth Street Elementary School, Mr. Campos took it upon himself to propel the Safe Routes to School Program within the Jurupa Unified School District without any supplemental funding. As funding became available, he worked diligently to provide data and background to RUHS—Public Health to enhance their ultimately successful application.

As Director of Parent Involvement and Community Outreach for the Jurupa Unified School District, he continues to be instrumental in promoting and implementing the Safe Routes to School program districtwide. He created the Jurupa Valley Collaborative for providers to leverage their services and welcomes RUHS--Public Health to present and share information to all community partners.

In addition, his efforts through the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (NEOP) program have led to the installation of hydration stations, soccer goals, elementary school running tracks, upgrading basketball courts and even playground painting on ball walls, all of which encourage greater physical activity and better dietary choices for health.

Third District

Don Webber, Harvest 2U and RFSA Advisory Board Member

Don is active in growing local food and agriculture in Riverside County. He shows a professional commitment to “Grow Local Riverside” as a RFSA advisory board member. As a District 3 resident, Don owns Harvest 2U, a successful third party CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) delivering locally-grown organic produce in Riverside and San Diego counties. He joined forces with E.A.T Marketplace to form Cultivating Good. The purpose of Cultivating Good is to promote awareness, foster education, improve health and create jobs in our communities through a focus on sustainable agriculture and the craft-food industry. Cultivating Good brings an entrepreneurial approach to managing and distributing good, clean, local food literally from the ground to the plate.

Fourth District

Maria Pozar, North Shore Community Member

Maria has established relationships with several community-based organizations dedicated to improving the health of North Shore’s residents. She was instrumental during the survey gathering process in securing nearly $350,000 from the highly competitive Active Transportation grant from Caltrans for RUHS—Public Health. Most recently, she collaborated with the 2016 Women’s Policy Institute (WPI) – Rural Transportation team to host two house meetings to gather community feedback regarding the need for bus shelters along Sunline’s Line 95 bus route. Because of Maria’s leadership, several community members have become civically involved in addressing various aspects of the social determinants of health. Maria’s dedication to improve health outcomes in the eastern Coachella Valley makes her an excellent candidate for the Public Health Community Champion award.

Fifth District

Dawn Smith, Program Director, MV Community Cupboard

Dawn Smith is the Program Director for the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and malnutrition in the Menifee Valley. The Cupboard partners with other organizations such as the Assistance League of Temecula and Alternatives to Domestic Violence throughout the year. Together with the Lake Menifee Women’s Club and Cal Fire/Spark of Love the Cupboard is a major sponsor of the annual Santa’s Workshop which provides toys, games, coats and even a visit with Santa for more than 900 children in the community.

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