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​Community-Led Initiative Tackles Systemic Inequities in Sonoma

In a bold step toward addressing longstanding disparities in Sonoma County, Health Action Together (HA Together) has unveiled its groundbreaking “Agenda for Action” (AFA), a community-driven blueprint for tackling systemic inequities that have disproportionately affect the county’s underserved neighborhoods.

The initiative, launched in partnership with the Bicentennial, Comstock, Roseland, and Sheppard communities, represents a significant shift in how equity challenges a e approached in the region. Rather than relying solely on institutional perspectives, the AFA puts community voices at the forefront of both problem identification and solution development.

“What makes this Agenda for Action different is the intentionality of making sure that the community is not just involved, but at the forefront,” explained Evette Minor, Community Leader and HA Together Board Chair. “We went directly to these communities with an intentional process to listen to their voices, making sure they felt respected and comfortable, and that trust was ever-present.”

Building on Data, Adding Human Experience
The initiative was sparked by the “Portrait of Sonoma County 2021 Update,” which revealed alarming racial disparities, particularly among Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), immigrant and undocumented community members. HA Together partnered with Equity First Consulting to move beyond statistics and uncover the human stories and systemic factors behind these numbers.

Adriana Arrizon, HA Together Executive Director, emphasized the importance of this approach, “We can’t build equity and l‑‑ong lasting change in our community without a true partnership with the communities who are experiencing the negative impacts of systemic inequities. Addressing the root causes requires deep engagement, sharing power,  resourcing and being accountable to communities which have, and continue, to experience systemic harm.”

A Roadmap for Change
The Agenda for Action is designed to serve as a comprehensive roadmap for directing Institutional, political, philanthropic, and community-based efforts and resources. It will guide the work of Health Action Together, while also providing a framework for broader countywide initiatives.

The official AFA report became available on September 26, 2024, and can be accessed through the Health Action together website at hatogether.org.

How to Get Involved
Community members interested in supporting this initiative have several ways to engage:

1. Access and share the report: Visit the HA Together website to download the complete Agenda for Action and share its findings within your networks.
2. Attend community meetings: HA Together hosts regular community forums where residents can learn more about the initiative and contribute to ongoing discussions.
3. Partner with HA Together: Organizations that wish to align their work with the AFA’s goals can reach out to explore collaboration opportunities.
4. Support with resources: Businesses, foundations and individual donors can help fund the implementation of community-identified solutions.
5. Advocate for policy changes: Use the AFA’s findings to advocate for systemic changes at local government meetings and with elected officials.

For more information or to get involved, email: Mariana Raschke, Communications Manager or call (707) 772-6190

About Health Action Together:
HA Together is a partnership of community leaders committed to ending health and social inequities in Sonoma County. People most impacted by racism are driving these efforts, including the development of the AFA created by communities experiencing the most disinvestment. The AFA identifies strategies needed to align partners and community resources to make Sonoma County a place where a person’s skin color, zip code, or place of birth does
not determine their health, education or income..

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by Staff Reporter, Health Action Together

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