Latest Common Ground Newsletter

November 2025 Newsletter

New spotlight highlights alarming regional trends and proven methods to address youth self-harm

Youth self-harm rates in the Finger Lakes region have surged, especially among kids ages 6–13. Our new spotlight titled, “So Much More than Academics: School-based Opportunities to Address Self-Harm among Youth,” explores three evidence-based approaches—community schools, social emotional learning, and restorative practices—that foster trust, belonging, and emotional resilience.

Learn more.

Collective strength shines at Health Coalitions’ fall gathering

On Oct. 21, nearly 60 coalition members from the African American, Indigenous, and Latino Health Coalitions and the New American Health Advisory Group came together for an all-coalition gathering. Planned for a meaningful midpoint between their annual Speak Life! event, and during a time of organizational transition, they reconnected, shared updates, and celebrated the collective work being done to advance health equity in our region. The core message: we are stronger together.

Read all about it.

Donations needed for older adults in nursing homes

To combat social isolation and loneliness among older adults, the Senior Adult Community Engagement Project (SACE) at Common Ground Health is helping older adults in nursing homes know that they are not forgotten.

For three years, SACE senior volunteers have assembled and delivered “Not Forgotten” bags to nursing-home residents in our community’s most under-resourced areas. This year, as need is increasing, volunteers have set a goal of providing 250 bags, up from 175 last year.

Learn how you can help.

Event stresses importance of colon cancer screening

There are several options for colon cancer screening tools and different ways to prep for these tests. But Dr. Janice Cheong, speaking Oct. 12 at the 2025 Hair and Health Symposium at the Edergerton R-Center, emphasized that the most important thing is that people just get screened.

“The best screening test is the one that gets done,” Dr. Cheong said. “Screening can save lives because we can find polyps before they become colon cancer.”

Learn more about what was shared at the event.

New dashboard available for county-level health stats

Common Ground Health launched a new County Health statistics dashboard to support local health planning, community health assessment and other reporting efforts. Designed with clarity and usability in mind, the dashboard allows users to view rates, trends, and geographic patterns across a wide range of population statistics and health related measures. It also incorporates data sources from the CDC’s Places/Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the American Community Survey, providing valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of residents throughout the region.

Explore the dashboard.

Native Made market and Native American Community Services dinner planned

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the 4th annual Native Made Market. Open to the public, it takes place on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Eisenhart Auditorium. Following the market, Native American Community Services is hosting a dinner to celebrate their 50 years of service and share their vision for expanding to the Rochester region. Come hear directly from CEO Michael Martin about Native American Community Services' vision for extending the Good Mind Principles and their tradition of caring to more communities in our area. The dinner is free but registration is required.

We built a playground in a day!

Early on the morning of Oct. 3, 120 volunteers began to arrive at the Ryan R-Center in Rochester’s Beechwood neighborhood. They came ready to move three truckloads of mulch, mix five pallets of concrete, assemble playground elements and rebuild bleachers for the sports fields. They did it! Learn more.

The Black Women’s Leadership Forum honored Jackie Dozier, director of community health and wellbeing, with their “Doing the Work” award at its 20th anniversary luncheon last month. The Forum’s co-founders praised Jackie for her tireless advocacy, support of Black women’s physical and mental health and deep commitment to uplifting Black womanhood and sisterhood throughout the Greater Rochester area. Learn more about the organization.