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In late July, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) and 70 representatives from their community partners celebrated the final months of the REACH project, which was funded and launched in 2018 in the communities of Inkster, Wayne and Westland. Southwest Detroit added in 2021. REACH stands for "Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health" and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through the REACH project, the NKFM partnered with community organizations and stakeholders to improve policies, systems, and environmental conditions that impact health, particularly among African Americans and Latinx populations, who experience a disproportionate risk of chronic diseases and socioeconomic disparities. The organizations at the event included Brilliant Detroit, the City of Wayne, Friends of the Rouge, Western Wayne Family Health Centers, as well as representatives from other not-for-profits, health care providers, coalitions, task forces, educational institutions and churches.

During the past five years, the REACH team focused on the areas of Physical Activity, Breastfeeding, Community Clinical Linkages, Nutrition and vaccinations for COVID and flu. The projects include:

Physical Activity

-facilitated the development of an accessible water trail on the Rouge River in southeast Michigan for paddling and other recreation

-launched a Safe Routes to School initiative in the Wayne-Westland Community School District

Breastfeeding -helped to establish two breastfeeding support groups for new mothers ¬¬-- one for Black women and one for Latina women

Community Clinical Linkages

-developed a new system to refer Western Wayne Family Health Centers' patients to evidence-based chronic disease management and prevention programs.

-expanded access to the "Finding Your Way" guide to Wayne County services by adding a Spanish version, both in print and online

-trained Spanish-speaking community health workers how to use the guide and help others in the community

Nutrition

-supported the Inkster Farmers Market, now in its third year, including an Eastern Market collaboration to provide more fresh produce

-helped the Market to accept additional payment sources, such as WIC Project Fresh, SNAP and Senior Project Fresh

-assisted with strategic planning on the Western Wayne Food Policy Council

-provided garden support, local food access and promotion to early childhood education centers in Wayne and Westland

-created nutrition standards for early childhood education centers

In addition, when COVID hit in 2020, the team coordinated free flu and COVID vaccine clinics, provided education and developed appropriate messaging for specific audiences.

Throughout the specific endeavors outlined above, the REACH team insured that all initiatives were led by organizations' representatives and people who were trusted by their community. Target audience needs were integrated in all initiatives and community representatives were continuously asked for feedback and included in decision making.

"We had one-third of our community partners at our event," states NKFM Program Specialist Marolyn Valenzuela. "This type of event is so important because health care providers, grass-roots organizations, religious leaders and others can meet and talk about community health, one topic they all care about. That's what they talked about at this event and that's what actually makes things happen. Grass roots efforts may go slow but they get things done."

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About the NKFM

Theresa Tejada from NKFM; Rakisha Odom and Ms. Blu from Brilliant Detroit

The mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it. With more than a million people in Michigan affected by kidney disease, the NKFM works to provide life-changing programs and services across the state. For many years, Charity Navigator - the nation's leading nonprofit evaluator - has recognized the NKFM with its highest rating of 4 stars for success in sound fiscal management.nkfm.org

About REACH

REACH is a CDC-administered national program to remove barriers to health improvement caused by race or ethnicity, education, income, location, or other social factors. Through this project, the NKFM encourages everyone to "REACH Your Best Health". For more information, visit http://www.reachhealthmi.org