Garden City Community College is one of 30 organizations across Kansas selected to participate in the Building Power and Equity Partnership (BPEP), an effort developed and funded by the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) to address issues of racial equity in our state.
This initiative is meant to work closely and collaboratively with grassroots organizations, as well as organizations with a stated purpose to help address health disparities in Kansas.
“Garden City Community College is excited to partner with the Kansas Health Foundation
through the Building Power and Equity Partnership. Through this partnership, GCCC seeks to collaborate with KHF and utilize resources and assistance that drive change in racial and health equity in Garden City and Southwest Kansas,” GCCC President Ryan Ruda said.
Ruda said GCCC intends to collaborate with local health and social organizations to advance individuals and the community by enhancing access to education, health initiatives, and equity efforts.
“More information will be forthcoming, but this partnership embeds the power of organizations collaborating to impact social change,” he said.
This initiative is being launched as part of KHF’s goal to help Kansas lead the nation in health, as the state currently ranks 29th in America’s Health Rankings.
“If we’re going to lead the nation in health, we can’t just make healthy people healthier,” said Ed O’Malley, KHF President and CEO. “We have to look at ways to address the inequities that lead to health disparities. That means connecting and partnering with the organizations closest to the communities, neighborhoods, and households where these disparities are most prevalent.”
The 30 partners were chosen from a competitive process. In addition to grant funding, these organizations will also receive access to training, outside expertise, and third-party services meant to grow and develop the organizations and the influence they have in addressing issues of equity and justice.
The full list of BPEP partners can be found at www.kansashealth.org.
About the Kansas Health Foundation
The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) is a nonprofit organization based in Wichita but statewide in its focus. At KHF, all our work centers on our mission: to improve the health of all Kansans.
As part of a new strategic framework, developed by our staff and board of directors, KHF also strives to accomplish three primary purposes: empower Kansas to lead the nation in health; eliminate the inequities that create health disparities; and, for KHF to become THE model for philanthropic impact.
