Common Ground Health

03/31/2026

This year's keynote speaker at Speak Life! 2026 is Dr. Anthony Jimenez, associate professor of sociology at Rochester Institute of Technology and co-author of “The Third Net: The Hidden System of Migrant Health Care.” In his address, he will explore how borders can enact violence—and how solidarity and community help build healthier, more equitable systems.

Reserve your tickets today at commongroundhealth.org/speaklife26tix

“Health access alone is commendable, but it’s not sustainable, not while the entire healthcare system is governed by structurally violent logics of racial capitalism and settler colonial ideas about who is and isn't deserving of care,” said Jimenez. “If we want true health equity, if we want health justice, we need to engage with the scarier, complicated, yet far more transformative project of creating something new, something bold, something that actually has all of us in mind.”

03/27/2026

What a day! A sold‑out Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference filled East High School with growers, educators, advocates, and neighbors building a more just, resilient local food system.

Common Ground Health helped facilitate a Rochester Food Policy Council session on the Community Food System Plan—moving community wisdom into action for stronger food access and health across neighborhoods. As Josie McClary reminded us, policy and practice must move together—and real change happens when community voices lead.

Huge thanks to the Rochester Urban Agriculture Working Group and partners: Rochester Food Policy Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District, Taproot Collective, Wegmans, Foodlink, City of Rochester, East High School, Fruition Seeds, and Shahrazad Catering.

Swipe through the photo album for highlights! Read more about the day: https://ow.ly/wF0t50YzPKL

03/26/2026

Do you or your organization/company want to support in our community? One way to do that is to be a sponsor of the annual Speak Life! Health Equity Conference.

Organized by the Health Coalitions of Common Ground Health, this is an excellent opportunity to get in front of health clinicians, leaders, and advocates, as well as organizations, community members, and others who are working to ensure that everyone in the Finger Lakes region can get the health care they need, when and how they need it.

With the theme “Stronger Together” the 2026 conference features a timely keynote by Anthony M. Jimenez, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology at Rochester Institute of Technology, who will explore how borders can enact violence—and how solidarity and community help build healthier, more equitable systems.

In addition to a day of provocative conversations and action, we'll have culturally rich music and dance performances to promote a deeper level of health and well-being, and awards for community members who are stepping up for health equity in different ways.

There are many different sponsorship levels. Find one that's right for your goals and budget: https://ow.ly/agBI50YzlF9

The deadline for sponsors is April 1. Don't miss out on this meaningful opportunity.

03/25/2026

Register Today for Monroe County’s 2026 Substance Use Family Summit

📅 Date: Saturday, April 18
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: 1801 East Main St, Rochester, NY 14609

Learn, connect, and gain tools to support teens and families in our community!
This event is FREE and open to the public, but registration is required. Register here:
https://ow.ly/jtKc50YwY12

Event Schedule
11 - 12:30 PM Resource Fair

12:30 - 1:15 PM Breakout Block 1
Overcoming Obstacles
Drugs 101 & Narcan Training
Teen Drug Use Trends & Risks

1:30 - 2:15 PM Breakout Block 2
Social Pressure & Resilience
Uprooting Stigma
Impact of Substance Use Disorder

2:30 - 4 PM Keynote Presentation and Facilitated Panel Discussion

Bring your family, bring a friend, and be part of the conversation.

We hope to see you there! 💜

03/18/2026

Register Today! Substance Use Family Summit 2026

Join the City of Rochester on Saturday, April 18th from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM for a powerful day dedicated to helping families learn and talk about substance use.

Who should attend?
Teens, parents, family members, educators, and community members. All are welcome!

What to expect:
✅Teen-focused sessions
✅Panel discussion with local experts
✅ Community resources and support
✅Stories of lived experience and hope
✅Support for substance use-related loss
✅ Education on substances, trends, prevention, and addiction
✅ Free lunch and T-shirt to first 250 registrants!
✅Giveaways and raffle prizes!

📅 Date: Saturday, April 18
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: 1801 East Main St, Rochester, NY 14609

This event is FREE and open to the public, but registration is required. Register here:
https://ow.ly/J9fM50Yw4NP

Bring your family, bring a friend, and be part of the conversation!

03/14/2026

03/12/2026

Save the Date! September 7-13, 2026: A Call to Women of Color

20 years ago Jackie Dozier gathered people in her backyard with the intent of empowering women of color to engage in conversation and to promote healthy living among women. Two decades later she has created a movement here in Rochester.

We have a week of activities in the works to celebrate 20 years of sisterhood. A big celebratory social gathering is set for September 13 at Genesee Valley Park, details and more events leading up it it will be announced soon.

03/11/2026

Kids trying new foods AND asking to help cook dinner at home? That’s a big win in our book.
That's why were were thrilled to get this update from one of our partners that we work with under the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant from NY State: “All parents said their kids try new foods now because of the class—and want to help cook dinner!”
Goal achieved. 🙌
Read more about our work with the one of those partners, the Greece Early Learning Center: https://ow.ly/OkfK50YsxQU

03/11/2026

Even if you don't work directly with the Indigenous community, it is important for those working in health-related professions to be aware of the unique and complex root causes of Indigenous health disparities, and the ways we can work to address them. Join Pete Hill of Native American Community Services, and one of our Indigenous Health Coalition members, at one of his upcoming virtual trainings this spring!

Overview of Native American Cultural Competency
Includes a screening of "Unseen Tears – The Impact of Native American Boarding Schools in Western New York" and a facilitated discussion on how residual dynamics impact today’s service delivery.

March 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
Register: https://ow.ly/UqOm50Ysqfq
May 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
Register: https://ow.ly/NSKi50Ysqfo

Introduction to Native American Cultural Competency
Includes a screening of “We Shall Remain” and discussion of historical trauma’s connection to Trauma‑Informed Care.

April 9, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM
Register: https://ow.ly/sZ0f50Ysqfp

For training inquiries email phill@nacswny.org.

03/10/2026

Adult Mental Health First Aid is back at Common Ground Health!

Dates: April 28–29, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Where: Common Ground Health

This course teaches you to identify risk factors and warning signs of adult mental health challenges—and how to help in the moment. Earn an official certification from Mental Health First Aid USA.
Save your seat: https://ow.ly/SREO50YrPJT

03/09/2026

Less than two weeks away!

You’re invited to the Annual Urban Agriculture Conference!
Join us for a full day of learning and community building featuring:
• Interactive workshops
• Community knowledge sharing
• Fruition Seeds’ Gift of Seed Experience
• Gardening tables and displays
… and more!

Because last year’s conference was so popular, registration is required this year. When registering, please select the workshops you’re most interested in so we can plan room sizes and make the day run smoothly.

We’re offering a pay‑what‑you‑can ticket model to keep the conference accessible while supporting the cost of this incredible event.

We hope to see you there. Register today: https://ow.ly/w5A750YmAUz

This conference is hosted by the Rochester Urban Agriculture Working Group, with support from the Rochester Food Policy Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District, Taproot Collective, and Wegmans. Lunch will be provided by Shahrazad Catering.