October 2019 Common Ground Newsletter

October 2019

Community celebrates opening of play trail

Want to get from the Strong Museum of Play to the Central Library or the Genesee River? Why not play along the way? Mayor Lovely A. Warren, Healthi Kids and youth and community members cut a ribbon Oct. 24 on the Play Walk, a new, playful sidewalk trail along Chestnut and Court Streets. The Play Walk features large format games, a distortion mirror, and musical instruments.

“Play is critical for the health and development of all children’s minds and bodies,” said Jenn Beideman, advocacy manager for Common Ground Health.

Learn more and view media coverage.

Common Ground certified Great Place to Work™

For the third year, Common Ground Health has been certified a great workplace by independent analysts at Great Place to Work™. Anonymous surveys of employees revealed that nine out of 10 employees have a consistently positive experience, up from eight out of 10 in 2017. A summary of these ratings is available here.

“Our employees are our secret sauce, and we know that we need to meet their needs to ensure that they can do their jobs to the fullest,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health.

Learn more.

Partner spotlight:
Wayne County school and public health leaders

Wayne County leaders proactively responded after surveys, forums and focus groups identified vaping misinformation among young people. In August, with support from Wayne County Public Health, the Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes and the Wayne County Partnership for Strengthening Families, the American Lung Association trained representatives of three school districts to help students quit vaping using the NOT on Tobacco curriculum.

“As regulatory attempts to stop young people from vaping have met with legal challenges, we commend Wayne County’s forward-thinking work and collaboration to prevent possible lung damage in teens,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health.

On Oct. 21 Patricia Cathey, community wellness project coordinator for Common Ground, celebrated her graduation from the United Way's African American Leadership Development Program with colleagues and family.

Common Ground CEO Wade Norwood joined Terry Dade, superintendent of Rochester city schools and Anne Kress, president of Monroe Community College, on Oct. 21 for the launch of the United for Impact action plan. The United Way funding strategy will provide three-year grants related to health, education and economic mobility beginning in August 2020. Impact Grant partners will be announced this November.

In the headlines

Rochester Business Journal ROC The Future, Common Ground Health to build Community Playground

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle State of Latino community points to progress in Rochester