Imagine a community where every man, woman and child has access to equitable healthcare. Imagine a community that sup- ports and strengthens families in raising competent and caring children. Imagine a community where childbirth and childbearing are opportunities for positively influencing the health and wellbeing of families, particularly mothers and infants. Imagine a community where equitable opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurialism are valued as essential to optimal health of families and communities. Under the leadership of Estrellita “Lo” Berry, M.A, at REACHUP, Inc., we don’t just imagine that community, we work diligently to make it happen. We believe that good health is essen- tial to a quality life and all people should have the opportunity to attain good health, includ- ing access to quality and affordable healthcare. Since our inception in 2006, REACHUP has successfully assisted thousands of the most excluded people, who actually have the natu- ral and learned strengths and abilities to love, nurture and protect their families, realize the strength of their passion in claiming their right to equality in health. A native of Tampa, Florida and actively in- volved in her community, Berry is described by many as an influential leader and team- builder. She is a recognized expert in mobi- lizing, creating, and maintaining community support to address health related issues. Her service over the past 25 years is far-reaching and wide-ranging in creating, developing and implementing programs that serve and care for high-risk families in a culturally inclusive fashion. Many know Berry from her years of
work in the maternal and child health arena. On the national front, she serves as President of the National Healthy Start Association (
http://www.healthystartassoc.org/) and a member of the Blue Ridge Institute for South- ern Community Service Executives. Locally, she serves on the Boards of the Hillsborough County Healthy Start Coalition and March of Dimes, Florida Bay Division. Berry has been unyielding in her belief that we will never be able to reduce the number of Black infants that die in the first year of life at a rate more than twice that of White infants without an emphasis on equality in health. As REACHUP’s President and CEO, Berry has nurtured the organization from the ground up with an integrated approach aimed at improv- ing racial disparities in health. REACHUP understands the importance of attacking pervasive problems from dilapidated housing to transportation barriers in our efforts to improve the overall conditions of daily life for our community. Therefore, it is tackling the inequitable distribution of power and re- sources by creating life-long partnerships that will change our community. The resources gathered for change are shared with small, grassroots community and faith organizations and jobs are created for people in the commu- nities we serve. In addition to being a matter of social justice, good health is the pathway to achieving other critical life goals. REACHUP is actually an old “new kid on the block.” It is the result of a transformation of the 11-year old Central Hillsborough Healthy Start (CHHS) from a University of South Flor- ida-based organization to a community-based organization. Previously operating under the guidance and structure of USF, REACHUP is now a fully independent not for profit organization with strong ties to USF and many other public, private and legislative partners. It is the “par- ent” of CHHS as well as the Closing the Gap Project (http://www. reachupincorporated. org/). REACHUP’s pri- orities and services reflect Berry’s belief in a
ESTRELLITA “LO” BERRY, PRESIDENT
community where no one is denied the basic right to good health. Along with the Board of Directors, Berry has guided the organization to live out our creed: “WHERE THERE’S A WILL, WE ARE THE WAY.” They are adamant that each of us can and must work to assure that everyone has a fair opportunity to attain good health.
As individuals, or part of a family or social, civic, educational, political, or religious organization, or even our workplace, each of us can do at least one thing to help change the condi- tions that cause poor health:
• I will find out as much as I can about the life- style and social conditions that impact health
• I will educate myself and others about health differences that arise from inequities in our society
• I will commit myself and inspire others to make healthy lifestyle choices
• I will provide competent and compassionate health care services
• I will be an advocate for secure, living-wage jobs, affordable housing, racial justice, good schools, safe streets and green spaces, access to produce and full-service markets for all
What will you do? • I will __________________________
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