Common Ground Health

02/20/2026

Whose got Olympic fever? Rochester does!

Rochester is proud to host the Special Olympics New York State Winter Games, February 20–22. Opening Ceremonies are tonight at the Riverside Convention Center, followed by competition on Saturday across seven winter sports at venues .

Nearly 900 athletes and coaches from across New York will be here to compete and celebrate inclusion through sport. Many events are free and open to the public—so come on out and show athletes that our region stands together for dignity, access, and opportunity.

As a health equity organization, we’re especially grateful for the Healthy Athletes screenings that help remove barriers to care—another way these Games center inclusion and well‑being.

Learn more here: https://ow.ly/B5UC50YhGl7

2026 State Winter Games Overview

02/19/2026

As we continue to raise awareness of heart health, we're challenging you to move more! Raising your heart rate just a little bit increases heart health by strengthening the heart muscle, enhancing blood circulation, and lowering blood pressure.

So, try adding a 10–20 minute walk to your day—hallway loops, a walking meeting, or a quick indoor route. Consistency beats intensity. Share a walking selfie or your favorite winter friendly route in the comments to encourage others!

02/18/2026

Your story can help improve birth care in Rochester!

As part of the Birth Action Collaborative we are pleased to share an important opportunity for community voices to heard. The Collaborative is hosting listening sessions for Black mothers and birthing people who gave birth in Monroe County within the last 5 years.

This is a chance to share your experiences, voice what you think needs to change, and help shape solutions alongside community partners.

Your time and perspective is important. Participants receive:
🔹 $100 stipend
🔹 Transportation
🔹 Meals
🔹 Childcare

Two dates to choose from:
📅 Saturday, February 21 | 12:30–4:00 pm
📅 Saturday, February 28 | 12:30–4:00 pm

📍 21 Gorham Street, Rochester, NY

If you identify as Black and have given birth locally in the last five years, we would love to hear from you.

👉 Register here: https://ow.ly/zxl850YhxpR
📞 Questions? (773) 850-2413

Please share this opportunity with anyone whose voice needs to be counted. Community voices lead change.

02/17/2026

As we remember Rev. Jesse Jackson, and during Black History Month, we’re reflecting on his words that call us to common ground and shared purpose. These reminders guide our work today: advancing health equity so every person in our region can access care, dignity, and opportunity.

We can carry that commitment forward—together.

02/16/2026

For anyone working with young people, we've got a course on youth mental health first aid that you won't want to miss. Participants will be introduced to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents. This course builds understanding of the importance of early intervention and teaches how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health and/or substance abuse challenge.

📅May 21, 2026
⏲️9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍Common Ground Health's offices

There are only a few spots left! Sign up at https://ow.ly/lK5o50YgNWF

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day reminds us: love is how we show up for each other. Health equity means fair access to the building blocks of health—safe homes, nutritious food, mental health support, and trustworthy care—when and where you need it!

What does health equity look like to you? Drop us a note in the comments.

02/13/2026

From analysis to action. Senator Samra G. Brouk and Assemblywoman Sarah Clark prioritized and funded a regional Behavioral Health Needs Assessment—and then convened partners across systems, schools, community organizations, crisis response, philanthropy, and government to align near‑term priorities.

Common Ground Health shared key findings and joined working sessions with fantastic community partners including the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, BIPOC PEEEEEEK, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, and the Rochester City School District to help turn data into implementation.

🔗 Read the event write‑up: https://ow.ly/nMJZ50Yfq9P

Common Ground Health joined Assemblywoman Sarah Clark, the office of Senator Samra G. Brouk, and area health leaders on Thursday, February 12, to turn our recently published Behavioral Health Needs Assessment (BHNA) into coordinated next steps for our region. The convening brought together top repre...

02/12/2026

This week for we call on everyone to know their numbers—blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. When you know your baseline heart health numbers, you can spot trends and make informed choices. If you haven’t checked lately, pick one number to update this week and set a reminder for the next check.

Find screening tips and resources from our friends at Rochester Regional: https://ow.ly/82vW50Ye1PC

02/11/2026

An exciting step forward for community health in our region!

Common Ground Health–Rochester RHIO and FLPPS are combining operations to bring together data expertise, community engagement, and system transformation under one unified organization.

We are pleased to share that Carol Tegas, current CEO of FLPPS, has been selected by the boards of both organizations to lead the combined entity beginning April 1. With more than 35 years of healthcare leadership and transformative impact across our region, Carol brings the experience and insight that the new organization needs—and we’re excited to carry this work forward with her.

We also honor current CEO Marlene Bessette, who retires on March 31, and Wade Norwood, now chief advancement and government relations officer, for their visionary leadership that has expanded community impact and strengthened our exchange.

Together, we will continue to convene, analyze, and champion solutions that improve health for every community in the Finger Lakes region.

Read the full announcement: https://ow.ly/rajG50YcyAA

02/10/2026

There are several excellent opportunities this February with the 2026 Annual Black History Month Virtual Free Series to learn more about Mental Health in the Black Community. Check out the full program!

Join us!

02/05/2026

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK: The Healers' Village is a home for culturally responsive healing and wellness approaches and practices for people of the African Diaspora. Its mission is to create an ecosystem of wellness for Black people where they can find, achieve, and maintain their ultimate wellness as they define it.

It is in that spirit that it is hosting a gathering of Black healers to share updates on what is happening in the community, discuss supports needed within the Black healer community, and learn about opportunities to engage with The Healers' Village.

Spread the word: If you've been to one of our gatherings, bring someone you think will benefit from this supportive community!

Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: Common Ground Health

Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/xrZ750XQl15

02/04/2026

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), join us on Friday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for community HIV/STI/Hep C testing and screenings across Rochester. Huge shout out to the from our initiative, and our partners at The MOCHA Center from Trillium Health.

Visit any of the neighborhood locations at the times listed below:

📍 Brothers & Sisters Unisex Salon — 372 Ridgeway Ave, 14615
Trillium Mobile Van: 10:00–11:00 AM

📍 DaVine Hair Designs — 501 Thurston Rd, 14619
Trillium Mobile Van + Common Ground Health Ambassador: 12:30–1:30 PM

📍 Visions Barbershop — 511 Thurston Rd, 14619
Trillium Mobile Van: 12:30–1:30 PM

📍 Love’s Barbershop — 554 Thurston Rd, 14619
Trillium Mobile Van: 12:30–1:30 PM

📍 Whitmore’s International — 213 Monroe Ave, 14607
Trillium Mobile Van: 12:30–1:30 PM

📍 Diva Defined Salon & Boutique — 2886 Dewey Ave, 14616
The MOCHA Center (tabling): 11:30 AM–12:30 PM