Center for Hunger-Free Communities

Hunger in America is a policy choice. Repealing harmful SNAP cost shifts to states must be front and center as Congress works on a fiscal year 2026 appropriations package to keep the government funded after the short-term continuing resolution expires on January 30. Act now to : https://secure.everyaction.com/Wf7TjlCO3kue_AtCMhE6qQ2

Get ready, Philadelphia! This Saturday the Building Wealth and Health Network and Network Nation hosts the Stand Up, Speak Out! Advocacy and Action Fair at Triple Bottom Brewery from 12–3 p.m. (915 Spring Garden Street). Join us to connect with local advocacy organizations, explore resources for community change, and learn how taking action can help heal trauma. Meet fellow community members, discover ways to make a difference in your neighborhood, and be part of a movement creating lasting change. Don’t miss this chance to stand up, speak out, and take action!

Join the Building Wealth and Health Network and Network Nation for the Stand Up, Speak Out! Advocacy and Action Fair on Saturday, October 25, from 12–3 p.m. at Triple Bottom Brewery (915 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia). Connect with local advocacy organizations and discover resources to lead change in your community. This event highlights how taking action can be a powerful pathway to healing from trauma, offering opportunities to meet organizations and other community members ready to stand up, speak out, and create lasting change in Philadelphia. Planned and led by Network Nation, a community-member–led organization of alumni from the Building Wealth and Health Network, with support from Women’s Way and Triple Bottom Brewery, this gathering celebrates the power of collective action to heal and strengthen our communities.

We’re proud to share that our Associate Director of Communication and Administration, Natalie Shaak, presented at the American Chemical Society Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. yesterday as part of a symposium titled “Tackling World Hunger and Food Security: Reducing Food Waste.”

Natalie spoke on strengthening food security for low-income families by reducing food waste and expanding choice. She highlighted the paradox that the food wasted each year in the US could feed every food-insecure person three times over, while barriers like logistics and policy keep that food from the families who need it most.

Natalie called for innovation, advocacy, and collaboration among scientists, nonprofits, academia, and industry to create sustainable solutions beyond traditional charity models. A huge thanks to ACS for including this critical conversation in their program!

Getting in the holiday spirit at our office thanks to our awesome staff member Sherita.

Our team had an awesome two days of planning, teambuilding, healing, and inspiring one another at our annual retreat this week. We are so thankful for our staff and members fully commiting to our work in promoting community healing and economic equity.

From access to healthcare to policies that protect families, voting shapes the future of public health. Your vote impacts the health and well-being of your community! Make sure your voice is part of the conversation that decides how we care for one another. Find out how and where to vote at https://www.vote411.org/

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a serious public health concern, especially for Black women who face disproportionately higher exposure to trauma. This can lead to long-term negative health outcomes, including chronic diseases, mental health issues, and disparities in access to care.

In our newest Voices blog post, Center staff member Sherita shares her personal experience with childhood trauma and what she has learned at the Center to help her take back her power and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational trauma.

https://drexel.edu/hunger-free-center/news-events/voices-blog/2024/August/aces-forgotten-black-woman/

We are seeking highly motivated, flexible, and caring individuals to serve as on-call/as needed facilitators/coaches for our healing-centered financial empowerment program - the Building Wealth and Health Network. Training will be provided for selected candidates on the curriculum (trauma and financial literacy topics) as well as facilitation skills. Coaches will work a part-time, variable schedule (less than 20 hours per week) as needed to cover all classes.

Afternoon/evening availability and/or previous Network participation or lived experience with public benefits is a plus!

Find out more and apply now - https://careers.drexel.edu/en-us/job/497867/building-wealth-and-health-network-program-facilitator-per-diem

83% of parents of children under the age of 5 experience challenges finding quality, affordable child care, independently of income level. Cost is not the only barrier. Licensed high-quality child care can also be geographically limited and/or mis- matched with the hours or schedule of care needed. Ensuring parents have access to quality, affordable child care is imperative to increasing both parent and child health.

Starting this week, the Building Wealth and Health Network is hosting weekly spaces for love, healing, and authentic support for all female-identifying community members through June 27. Folks can join us Wednesdays starting this week from 1-2 p.m. in person at 3600 Market Street, 7th floor or Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. online through zoom (https://drexel.zoom.us/j/85804777663).

Contact Sherita Mouzon at [email protected] with any questions.