Champion for Vibrant Health Spotlight: Health Career Connection
Health Career Connection (HCC) is a national organization with a strong presence in the Inland Empire dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the health, behavioral health and public health workforce. HCC is also participating alongside many of their internship partner organizations in IEHP Foundation’s Champions for Vibrant Health Leadership Network.
How Inland Empire communities are getting more access to fresh food
Originally published in The San Bernardino Sun on July 25, 2025, part of the monthly series, Inspiring Vibrant Health Column.
Communities across the Inland Empire are experiencing food insecurities. Learn how multiple organizations are coming together to provide fresh fruits and vegetables across the region.
Putting community at the center of health in the Inland Empire
IEHP Foundation is investing in place-based initiatives, including the Blue Zones Project in Riverside County and Vibrant Villages in San Bernardino County. Both aim to collaborate with residents, community leaders and nonprofit organizations to create healthier, happier neighborhoods. This article was originally published in The Daily Bulletin, part of our monthly Inspiring Vibrant Health Column.
Champion for Vibrant Health Spotlight: Desert Sanctuary Inc.
For over 40 years, Desert Sanctuary Inc., based in the city of Barstow, has served as a critical resource for individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. The organization is dedicated to helping families navigate crisis, recovery and ultimately work to acheive Vibrant Health.
Storytelling for Impact: Exploring the tools to inspire & influence change
On Thursday, May 23, over 100 nonprofit leaders gathered from across the Inland Empire to enhance their skills to identify, amplify and harness the transformative power of storytelling to foster change and inspire action.
From Data to Action: My Journey with Vibrant Villages in the Inland Empire
Written by: Akunna Jeanette Chilaka, MPP Candidate, University of California, Irvine | Randall Lewis Health & Policy Fellow
As a Master of Public Policy candidate at UC Irvine, I never imagined that my fellowship with IEHP Foundation would transform my understanding of public health so profoundly. Let me take you through my personal journey with the Vibrant Villages project, an innovative approach to health equity in the Inland Empire.
Barstow Community College and IEHP Foundation Launch a Three-Year, Community-Driven Health Initiative in Barstow
IEHP Foundation has partnered with Barstow Community College (BCC) to launch Vibrant Villages, a community-driven health improvement initiative in Barstow through a three-year investment of over $600,000. The college will partner with IEHP Foundation to lead a collaborative initiative aimed at improving health and wellness in the region by working with Barstow community members to identify the critical health priorities for students and all residents of Barstow.
Where are humans flourishing? A recent Harvard study finds out
Originally published in The San Bernardino Sun, part of the Inspiring Vibrant Health Column.
Although we all know that eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep should make us physically healthier, do those same priorities come to mind when thinking about our mental health? The research says they should.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Finding Well-Being Through the Power 9
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect, reconnect and reimagine what wellness means for ourselves and our communities. Each of us can apply practical tools to enhance individual and community mental health and well-being. One source of inspiration is the Power 9® principles from the Blue Zones: nine evidence-based lifestyle habits shared by the world’s longest-living and healthiest populations.
Champion for Vibrant Health Spotlight: Building Resilient Communities
When a disaster strikes—be it a wildfire, earthquake or pandemic—the most vulnerable communities are often the least prepared, under-resourced and most severely impacted.
In times of crisis, these communities must not be forgotten or ignored; they need the opportunity to recover and build back more resiliently. This mission is at the heart of Building Resilient Communities (BRC), founded in 2012 by Debra Williams, after she heard a pastor talk about the importance of disaster preparedness.