By Greg Archer | Contributing Columnist
Grace and good intentions have been a winning combination for Riverside Community Health Foundation in its mission to help people impacted by cancer. A recent grant from the Inland Empire Community Foundation is now providing another opportunity to expand those efforts.
Grant funding will go toward servicing The Pink Ribbon Place, which was adopted by RCHF in 2006. The Pink Ribbon Place serves individuals and families impacted by cancer in the city of Riverside and surrounding areas through services and resources at no cost.
“PRP started as a community-led organization,” said Dr. Shené Bowie-Hussey, president and CEO of RCHF. “There was a group of women in the Inland Empire who, said, ‘Let’s get together and provide resources for those who are dealing with cancer.’”
It started off specifically for breast cancer. Then, around 2013, the people leading the organization at the time asked RCHF to assist with the structure and the operations.
“We became the fiscal manager or leading organization for it,” Bowie-Hussey said. “That means it’s still community-driven, but it’s integrated into our work.”
RCHF originally provided a seed grant to fund the initiative, offering free diagnostic services to women under age 30 with breast health concerns. The group leaders quickly recognized that diagnostic services were not enough and in 2009 established PRP. It became part of RCHF in 2013.
The program serves Inland Empire families impacted by cancer by offering such things as free hats, bras, breast prostheses, counseling services, scarves, support groups, and rehabilitation services.
“It’s a part of RCHF, but what’s unique is that PRP still has its own look and feel,” Bowie-Hussey said. “It has a separate entrance to our facility in downtown Riverside, and we try our best to make sure that we continue to hear the community in terms of how they can be served when they’re experiencing the cancer journey.”
PRP’s impact is vast. The Product Bank, for instance, provides wigs, bras, and prostheses. Counseling services offer one-on-one connections. Support groups have become a significant go-to for those on the cancer journey.
PRP also has a strength-building program. A women’s cancer seminar relays vital information.
PRP also hosts a Pink Ribbon Parade in October. The recent breast cancer awareness walk consisted of a 5K up Mt. Rubidoux and a family fun walk around Ryan Bonaminio Park.
“I have been so amazed at how the community knows what it needs,” Bowie-Hussey said. “I’ve learned that this unique community is the expert in that. And what the community really needs is an organization that provides information, resources, and support to create healthy communities.
“So, while our mission is to improve the health and well-being of the community, we really lean on partners, community members, and other community-based organizations to help us figure out how we can best serve the community,” she said. ”For me, it’s been amazing to move from being vice president, specifically focused on our health strategies and our partnerships in health, to, generally speaking, how it is that we’re going to be a mover and shaker in the Inland Empire. I’m very excited about that.”
Learn more at rchf.org.
Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org.
