Parks for All
As part of the BHC campaign, community resident leadership leverages hundreds of millions for park investments in areas of Fresno where access was limited or absent.
BHC sites offer ground-breaking case examples of how community organizing can not only promote environmental justice and yield improvements in water access and quality, it can also increase equitable development of parks and recreation and active transportation infrastructure.
Some of the wins championed by BHC participants during the initiative:
- Santa Ana (2012): $380k Pacific Electric Exercise Park opened in Santa Ana’s Madison Park neighborhood, funded by federal trail enhancement funds.
- City Heights (2016): A $1M canyon restoration project in Manzanita Canyon promoted healthy behaviors and access to outdoor open green space for young people of color and their families in City Heights.
- Eastern Coachella Valley (2018): Community of North Shore held its grand opening of a five-acre park, the culmination of a six-year community-led design process in partnership with BHC partners and Desert Recreation District.
- Statewide (2018): Voters passed prop 68 (Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018) by 57.8%, which provided $4.1B in bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects.
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Hundreds of Millions
Leveraged for Parks Investments in CA
“The central path to the Beloved Community is through community voice and community power.”
DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President & CEO, The California Endowment
Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross
Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years
Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted
Youth Awards 37 total awards given
Schools Not Prisons & BMOC Millions reached since 2016
Farmworker Health $50M initiative
TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded
Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board
Childhood Obesity & Freshworks $272M to expand access to fresh and healthy foods in low-income communities
CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA
Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs
Cultural Competency/Health Workforce/PRIME $78.2M to CA organizations working to boost the size and diversity of the state's healthcare workforce
TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year
Wishing Wall
Love you, Bob! Keep killing the game!
Dr. Ross,
The seeds you planted will bloom for generations to come!
May the force be with you in your new journey!
- Revolve Impact
With deepest gratitude for all of your service, your love, & leadership. May you have abundant joy and connection and all good things.
- Sharon
All the blessings in the world for your much deserved retirement. Thank you for your commitment to equity.
- Pico California
Dr. Ross! You are a blessing and have changed the world we live in. Thank you.
- H.S.F.
Dr. Ross,
The East Los Angeles Women’s Center sends you many blessings and gratitude for the support for our community & mujeres.
All the best to the world’s greatest boss & mentor. Thank you for your leadership, advice, and support these last 16 years!
- Dan DeLeon
Dear Dr. Ross,
We wish you the best in retirement although we know you will stay busy take time to enjoy family.
- From the Avilas
Bob -
It’s been an honor to work with you through the years. Love you very much!
Thank you for doing the true work of a doctor… HEALING! I heard you speak early in my career and was very inspired. Thank you!
- Leslie Johnson (Community Coalition)
Your words at the Liberty Hill dinner always stuck with me and I continue to share the message today.
Thank you,
- Darryl
Bob,
May your love, kindness and humor grow in retirement.
Love you,
- Steve & Victoria
You are a big inspiration for this world! Thank you!
Happiest wishes for a joyous and peaceful retirement after an amazing and productive career! Come back to visit TCE!
- Diana Yang
Dr. Ross,
Wishing you the best time ever spent.
Bob!
Rest. Relax. Renew. Have fun…
- Kisha Grove
We are forever grateful for your tireless work to make CA a beloved community for all! Si se puede!
With deep appreciation,
- Mayra Alvarez & The Children’s Partnership team
Dear Bob -
It was an honor to be part of TCE. I wish you all the best in life and love in your retirement. Hope to see you in Pasadena.
Dear Dr. Ross,
Wishing you joy, peace, and more free time than you know what to do with. I love you!
- Marc P.
Celebrating 30 Years
The future of California won’t be built for our communities. It will be built by our communities.
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