December 2025 Common Ground Newsletter

December 2025 Newsletter

Community health educators featured in Monroe County substance abuse support campaign

Two of our community health educators are featured in public service announcements produced by the Monroe County’s Department of Addiction Services. Meant to address the area’s opioid crisis, they have aired on television, radio, and social media.

Learn more their work.

Common Ground Health highlights maternal health equity at annual public health lecture

Common Ground Health joined with partners, advocates, and community members for the 14th Annual Dr. Bernard Guyer Lecture in Public Health. The event was all about one big idea: transforming birth care—here in the Finger Lakes and across the country. 

Read about the event and learn more about how we are working to address maternal mortality.

Celebrating two years of the Indigenous Health Coalition: honoring stories, strength, and a shared vision 

Members of Common Ground Health’s Indigenous Health Coalition gathered under the dome of the Strasenburgh Planetarium to celebrate a meaningful milestone—two years of working together to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people across our region. The evening was warm, personal, and rooted in culture.

Learn more about the evening, what the Coalition has been up to, and their goals for the future.

Donations still needed for older adults in nursing homes

To combat social isolation and loneliness among older adults, the Senior Adult Community Engagement Project (SACE) at Common Ground Health is once again helping older adults in nursing homes know that they are not forgotten.

For three years, SACE senior volunteers have assembled and delivered “Not Forgotten” bags to nursing-home residents in our community’s most under-resourced areas. This year, as need is increasing, volunteers have set a goal of providing 250 bags, up from 175 last year.

Donations have been coming in but there are still more needed. Top needs: hooded sweatshirts with zippers, t-shirts, lotion, deodorant, brushes and combs.

Learn more about how you can help.

Course offered on youth mental health first aid  

Do you work with young people? This course could strengthen your ability to respond to their needs.

Youth mental health first aid introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health and/or substance abuse challenge. Taking place on Jan. 21, 2026 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Common Ground Health, this evidence-based course is free of charge and lunch is provided. Registration is required.

Learn more and register.

Clinicians: sharpen your skills working with Black families

Clinicians' effectiveness depends on both what they notice and the meanings they give to what we notice. In this in-person session, Dr. Henry Gregory and Maisha Gregory Davis, LCSW-C, will help attendees sharpen their skills in working with Black families in clinical settings, helping participants more clearly see and name racial trauma as well as to recognize and support resiliency. The workshop, taking place on January 27, 2026 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Common Ground Health is free but registration is required. Dinner included. CEUs are available.

Learn more and register.

Know your resources, know your rights

Community Wellness Project Coordinator Patricia Cathey (right) received an award for her work on the Let's Talk Diabetes KICKS and Conversations Initiative last month at their annual gala. The initiative was established in 2019 by Community Health Educators Clarissa and Ronnie Davis (center and left) to increase diabetes awareness, provide supportive education, and empower our community through culturally grounded conversations and connection. "Mrs. Patricia Cathey has been with us from the very beginning. She believed in our vision before it was fully formed and has consistently supported us in whatever capacity we needed," said Clarissa Davis. The award honored her dedication, service, and ongoing support of the Let's Talk Diabetes movement. Congratulations Patricia! Learn more about the group on Instagram or Facebook. 

In the headlines

WXXI Connections Everyone deserves home health care; not everyone gets it

WXXI ERs reportedly seeing more youth self-harm; local nonprofit calls for school-based prevention

Sage Journals Lasting impact: A co-led community-academic model for a sustainable community-based participatory research training program

WXXI Connections Sounding the alarm on youth-self harm

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