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By Kevin Store
How often do you get asked what is it that you do? Most people upon meeting someone new seem to almost instantly ask that question; wouldn't you agree?
I suppose it is a quick and easy way to put another person or a business into context - to put them into a box of your own understanding so we know, or at least think we know who they are and what they're all about. The problem with that approach is it really doesn't give you any idea about who they truly are; what is their motivation; what fuels their passions; and what is their "Why" for doing what they do?
Maybe the question that would be more appropriately asked could be "Why do you do whatever it is you do?"
Imagine yourself being asked that question!
Suddenly, you find yourself digging deep to find an answer - one that is transparent and honest; giving an answer that has integrity and is true to the core of yourself. The same questions can be applied to organizations or businesses. For the purposes of this column, that is the question that I hope to answer. The question isn't what does the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation do, but, rather, why do we do what we do?
In response to the first question, we are a public charitable foundation with the purpose of making investments of money and resources in a way that will help make our community healthier.
Over the past 10 years we have done so in a number of ways that have included investments in medical innovation and research; educational scholarships for hundreds of local students; expanding and building our recreational assets that promote physical activity and individual health; support, help, and leadership in times of great need (the '18 flood and the COVID pandemic); substance abuse and treatment services and so much more. Most of this has come in the form of grants made to other organizations that have partnered with Copper Shores Community Health Foundation over that time.
I can tell you that we have also been challenged by many in our community - asking us to please help find solutions to the mental health needs that continue go unmet and are seemingly increasing.
As we worked through COVID, it was obvious that on the heels of the pandemic there was going to be a "hangover" of sorts that would very likely and negatively influence and amplify the community-needs that already existed. As most health studies are now showing, we are experiencing higher rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness and isolation, illegal use of substances, food insecurity, and overall reductions in personal health satisfaction (to name a few) and the influence it is having on individual health and quality of life is alarming.
As we have considered how to help, we arrived at a number of conclusions.
First, we know that we need to maintain support to help build the capacity of the many partners we have in our community. Our plan is to continue in the role we have always played as a (funding) foundation to provide financial support and grants to other organizations for a variety of mission-specific purposes. We expect to build upon our existing relationships and be responsive to outcome-driven initiatives that need our support.
Secondly, we realize that we needed to take a more direct approach and work to fill some of the gaps that exist in our human service sector. The recent acquisition of Dial Help, Inc. and Copper Country Senior Meals and the renaming of Portage Health Foundation to Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is in direct response to that realization.
The name change from Portage Health Foundation to Copper Shores Community Health Foundation was made to better reflect the region served and to be more inclusive of all community partners and services offered under the new organization.
As part of those acquisitions, the decision to mature into a hybrid non-operating/operating public charitable foundation was to ensure vitally-needed programs that serve our elderly and some of our community's most vulnerable citizens were adequately funded and maintained. We simply could not allow them to be whisked away! This merger of recent will also position us as an organization with the human resources needed to offer additional programs and make additional investments directly into programs that will be made available to the public.
Over the coming months you will see new or expanded programs in the area of community education, outreach and prevention, further supporting our efforts to enhance youth resiliency, address the mental health needs of our kids, and to positively influence the trend lines that reflect their mental health status.
We have taken steps to build up and adequately staff the victim's services and support program, including efforts to establish one of the only accredited Child Advocate centers in the State. We will be announcing plans to offer more mental wellness services that will compliment those services available through other resources in our community - further positioning us to be a better partner to the other organizations while ensuring people who are in need of help can get it.
We know that there is much work to be done, but the course is being set to bring additional supports that the community has been telling us are needed. We are listening and we are taking decisive actions to meet those expressed needs.
As we look at what we are attempting to do, the answer to the question "Why do you do what you do?" is also really simple.
Nearly all of us here at Copper Shores Community Health Foundation are life-long residents and members of this community. We all have a shared story and our own experiences - whether from a place of trauma and adversity or one of privilege and passion - which drive and motivate us to want a better community. We are driven by compassion for those struggling in our community and fueled by the passions and financial support of those that simply want to be part of the solution and help. Regardless of our own stories we are all in it for one thing: to make this a more healthful community for everyone!
Kevin Store is president/CEO of Copper Shores Community Health Foundation.