Defining My Passion
Over the years, I have worked at several different nonprofits that connect people and the environment in an educational way - whether it being through teaching young students about water ecology, showing adults how to plant and care for vegetables in a garden, or empowering teens to be leaders on camping trips. While nature, plants, and being outdoors is my passion, I always knew that the purpose, impact, and intention was much deeper. I believe these types of activities can improve the quality of life for individuals, whether they know it or not. Being in nature or getting your hands dirty in a garden is proven to have therapeutic impacts to mental health and overall well-being. These activities can bring people together and create a sense of community. They can also promote self confidence when you see the literal fruits of your labor and can enjoy that fresh tomato!
More recently, as I began to expand my grant writing business and received several inquiries from nonprofits with a wide range of missions, I was forced to dig deeper – what is it that drives my passion? Is it plants? Nature? People? Community? Health and Well-being? As a personal rule of thumb, I can only work with nonprofits who’s mission resonates with me; I cannot write a grant about something I do not believe in. So, finding this answer was important, and after much thought and analysis (and let’s be honest, research!), I realized it’s the Social Determinants of Health.
“Social determinants of Health are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes and risks.”
“Health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. We know that taking care of ourselves by eating well and staying active, not smoking, getting the recommended immunizations and screening tests, and seeing a doctor when we are sick all influence our health. Our health is also determined in part by access to social and economic opportunities; the resources and supports available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities; the quality of our schooling; the safety of our workplaces; the cleanliness of our water, food, and air; and the nature of our social interactions and relationships.”
Social Determinants of Health encompasses a wide range that seems to encapsulate my drive for working with different nonprofits. It explains why I feel just as strongly writing a grant application for affordable housing resources for the homeless, as I do for writing a grant for neighborhood safety or a youth afterschool program. Much like my previous work of connecting people and the environment, these activities and services are a means to a much more intentional end – these services improve the quality of life for those in the community. It’s making our world a better place, one person at a time, one community at a time. And I am proud to be a part of it!
Resources:
https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health
