empowered to serve

Three Howard University students receive national health education scholarship

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2023-2024 EmPOWERED Scholars

The American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED Scholars program has awarded $5,000 to three Howard University students in Washington, DC. November 21, 2023, WASHINGTON, DC – The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, has awarded ten $5,000 scholarships to college students from across the United States through its EmPOWERED Scholars program. … Read more

Local social entrepreneur addressing health disparities receives national grant

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Shavini Fernando - OxiWear - $12,000 Grant Recipient

Social entrepreneurs are recognized nationally for their innovative local business solutions addressing health inequities ARLINGTON, VA, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 – Approximately 50 million people in the United States are at higher risk for heart disease and/or stroke because they lack the most basic needs — healthy food, clean air and drinking water, quality education, employment, … Read more

Four Howard University Students Named as 2022-23 EmPOWERED Scholars

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Headshots of the 4 EmPOWERED Scholars from Howard University

At the American Heart Association, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity for a longer, healthier life. For nearly 100 years, it’s been our mission to fulfill that vision and pave the way for future innovation and bold action that saves lives. Our EmPOWERED Scholars Program seeks to do just that – uplifting the ideas and … Read more

Howard University student named as 2021-2022 EmPOWERED to Serve Scholar

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Written by Shaneta Ford, Health Strategies Intern Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life, and as champions for health equity, the American Heart Association is making that vision a reality. Guided by 10 bold commitments, we are dedicated to removing barriers to health care access and quality and advancing cardiovascular health for … Read more

Five Faith-Based Organizations Named as Finalists in the American Heart Association’s First EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based

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Over $105,000 in Grants Will be Awarded to Local Community Leaders Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance and support. … Read more

EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Highlights Powerful Partnerships, Kicks-Off Grant Application Period

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Webinar panelists four-pane
Webinar panelists share wisdom around community impact.

The power of partnerships built on trust, dignity and respect was a key theme during March 17th’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Zoom webinar, hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA), Eastern States region.

“When you see value in people, it affirms that value that is in you,” said Dr. Abraham Shanklin, Jr. Founder/Executive Director of the Center for Transformation in Maryland, an AHA collaborator.

During the webinar, Shanklin and ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church Rev. Leroy Miles, Jr. of Philadelphia, provided tips based on their own experiences in bolstering scalable community impact.

“It’s about those relationships that give you access,” said Miles. “Don’t be afraid to try, don’t be afraid to ask.”

Shanklin speaking
Bishop Shanklin

Shanklin and Miles offered wisdom gleaned from their own community leadership experiences to inspire webinar participants as AHA, Eastern States region launched the application cycle opening for it’s EmPOWERED to Serve Faith-Based Accelerator. The Faith-Based Accelerator is a grant-funding initiative for faith institutions and leaders to continue and scale their business models aimed at addressing social determinants of health in their communities. AHA aligns with faith-based communities to improve health and empower sustainable outcomes. Applications for a total of $105K in grant funding to communities of faith in select states will be accepted through April 30, 2021. Learn more or apply here.

Miles headsot
Reverend Miles

Shanklin and Miles were joined by AHA’s Vice President, Health Equity and National Partnerships Pamela Garmon-Johnson, who emphasized how important it is to deploy resources “connecting the dots so that we can have the greatest impact on our communities.”

“We have been charged with a purpose in order to be the voice for the voiceless….when we put all of our resources together that is when we can truly, truly put together the greatest difference,” said Garmon-Johnson.

Both Miles and Shanklin have successfully bolstered efforts to positively impact the social determinants of health in their own communities — factors that influence where and how people live, learn, work and play and provide context to a person’s life. Social determinants can play just as big of a role in affecting health as medications and physical lifestyle changes. Their work has included focusing on recidivism, family stability, food security, and health knowledge.

“We’ve tried to be a model and help you replicate [successful programs] at your spot,” said Miles, who collaborated to move ENON’s annual “Know Your Numbers” health-screening day, aimed at reaching 1,000 Philadelphia men, to a drive-through experience amid COVID-19. Participants were able to get take-home colon screening kits, HIV screenings, BP checks, glucose, cholesterol, and COVID screenings at the event which Miles termed a “significant pivot in such a time as this.” AHA provided take-home blood pressure kits for self-monitoring for those who were found to be hypertensive.

“You all are heroes in your respective areas, the assignments that you have, the passion that you have. All of these ideas [we are putting forth], they serve just as starting blocks,” said Shanklin. Among the many initiatives of the Center, Shanklin and his partners were able to feed 1200 people in Maryland and distribute over 50K pounds of food by leveraging county relationships.

Both Miles and Shanklin highlighted the value of partnering with organizations, including AHA. “I love the partnerships with AHA and EmPOWERED to Serve,” said Shanklin. Miles noted that the reimagined “Know Your Numbers” program gained traction due to partnerships with local AHA board members and Einstein Health.

“Powerful partnerships, meeting people where they are, and speaking with a trustworthy voice are three of the AHA’s Guiding Values — our 10 commitments to health equity — this shores up making sure that we are holding ourselves accountable so that we can make an impact,” said Garmon-Johnson.

American Heart Association, Eastern States Vice President Health Strategies Rhonda Ford-Chatmon asked webinar participants to provide feedback so that AHA can continue to strengthen community partnerships.

“Tell us what you need. We are here to be responsible. We are listening to you, and we want to be of help,” said Ford-Chatmon. She invited anyone with community needs to email questions or ideas to 2021FaithBasedAccelerator@heart.org

To watch the entire workshop, click here.

The American Heart Association Launches Funding Initiative Aimed at Supporting Communities through Local Faith Institutions

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Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance and support. That is why the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region is … Read more

Boston Globe interviews local American Heart Association grant recipient

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A social entrepreneur from Rhode Island who was the top finalist in a recent American Heart Association grant competition was profiled in The Boston Globe this week. Abigail Kohler is the co-founder and chief executive of ResusciTech, a Providence-based startup that developed an app to help train and certify users in CPR and first aid. … Read more

Harvard grad who launched non-profit to employ Boston’s homeless youth up for American Heart Association grant

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A Massachusetts man who started a non-profit to find employment opportunities for Boston’s homeless youth population has been selected as a top candidate for an American Heart Association grant. Connor Schoen, 22, who co-founded Breaktime in 2018 while a student at Harvard University, is one of eight innovators who will be presenting business models that … Read more

Working on Wellness in Faith-Based Communities with the EmPOWERED & Well Healthier Church Challenge

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The EmPOWERED and Well Healthier Church Challenge was a 12-week pilot program designed to support and expand the ongoing health and wellness activities of black women and their faith-based communities. It was established by the American Heart Association, with the help of its sponsor, WW International, Inc. (Weight Watchers Reimagined). Together the American Heart Association … Read more

American Heart Association launches EmPOWERED to Serve in Boston

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An American Heart Association program that seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce the gap in health disparities in multicultural communities kicked off in Boston on Thursday. As part of the EmPOWERED to Serve program, the American Heart Association recruited local health ambassadors to help spread awareness about heart disease, stroke and the importance of … Read more

Investments in areas hit hard by COVID-19 are Critical to Improved Health Outcomes

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The American Heart Association’s Social Impact Fund Seeks Donors to Expand to the Greater Washington Region

The American Heart Association,  the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on

John Houston III and AHA Ambassadors

heart and brain health for all, seeks to explore new investment opportunities in the Greater Washington Region around organizations committed to breaking down social and economic barriers that prevent people from living healthy lives. Through its Social Impact Fund, the focus areas for investment include food and housing insecurity, access to health care and income equality. The Social Impact Fund will make investments into under-resourced communities – many being the hardest hit by COVID-19.

Populations in under-resourced communities are more likely to have underlying health conditions (like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and obesity), are more likely to work unstable or frontline jobs limiting their ability to socially distance themselves and are less likely to have access to quality healthcare.  For example, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, Maryland have suffered from the highest rate of infection of COVID-19 in Maryland, widely attributed to an abundance of frontline workers and underlying chronic health conditions. In the District of Columbia’s Wards 7 and 8, conditions like uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are in disproportionate numbers compared to the rest of the country. Differences in COVID-19 complications by race/ethnicity seem to be emerging and are an opportunity to address longstanding health inequities and increased burden on those with the greatest need.

As a result of a generous seed donation, the Association is actively seeking additional funders to bring the Social Impact Fund to the Greater Washington Region.

“Demand for organizations that could be supported through the Social Impact Fund has grown exponentially within fragile communities throughout the DC region,” said American Heart Association volunteer and Social Impact Fund supporter, John Houston III. “It is my hope that others will join us in the launch of this fund so that we can make real change for people particularly in those areas devastated by COVID-19.”

While significant advances have been made in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, health results are disparate across economic, racial and ethnic groups. According to the County Health Rankings, only 20% of a person’s overall health is determined by clinical medical care, while the rest is determined by social and economic factors, as well as physical environment. Approximately 50 million people in the United States are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease because they lack the most basic needs — healthy food, clean air and drinking water, quality education, employment and housing.[1]

The Social Impact Fund is currently operating in Chicago, Boston, New York, San Francisco, Oakland and Flint, Michigan. To expand investment capital and scale the AHA Social Impact Fund’s innovative approach to addressing the health disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 in the Greater Washington Region, contact Yvette Mingo at Yvette.mingo@heart.org.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

 

Passionate about the health of Greater Boston? Here’s a chance to get involved

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Make a difference in the health of Greater Boston! The American Heart Association needs ambassadors with creative, generous mindsets and leadership skills to help spread awareness about heart disease, stroke and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in Greater Boston. We’re making progress but still have much to do. Millions of people live without access … Read more