ABOUT

Celebrate Life!™ is a call to action comprised of events, products, and services that extend a lifeline of health, hope, and healing. These are perilous times. We must be intentional in seeking “the truth” to reach a new level of awareness required to thrive in times like these.

The Here’s 2 Life Foundation in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regional and local health and human services agencies, school boards and districts, and sponsors are coming together to educate, train, and provide technical assistance for licensed professionals and lay health providers who service children, youth, families and adults in school an community settings. We aim to increase their capacity to provide access to accurate, credible, and reliable digital health information and resources about health topics to include COVID-19 and vaccinations, clinical trials, and mental health services locally, regionally, and nationally.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that is wreaking havoc in families and communities across the United States. One of the most impactful ways the pandemic is affecting our nation is by stretching existing education, health and human services systems beyond their capacity. This includes the behavioral and mental health care systems, primary and acute healthcare systems, addiction facilities, as well as social service agencies.

Additionally, COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting individuals living on the fringes of society where access to resources is scarce, compared to those who are better offer. A growing number of people in these communities face daily dilemmas linked to socially constructed systems that perpetuate discrimination based on race and socioeconomic status. This confluence of factors results in some people predictably, perpetually, and repeatedly being in harm’s way, both emotionally and physically. Despite these harsh realities, all hope is not lost.

Something new is on the horizon. Community and faith-based organizations (CFBO) are critical links to bridging the gap and extending a much-needed lifeline of health, hope, and healing. 

OUR APPROACH

The Here’s 2 Life Foundation (H2L) and Support Centered Services (SCS) have teamed up to bring a multi-pronged program to select markets across the United States. These events, products, and services will be offered in partnership with local, regional, and national stakeholders, and co-sponsored by brands that strategically align with our mission. We are re-imaging what is possible and we aim to significantly and measurably improve outcomes via partnerships with community based organizations and faith-based ministries in three specific ways; a) introduce resources from the National Institutes of Health including training and access to accurate, reliable, and credible health information that enables greater self-directed care; b) highlight the power and potential of music and media to inform and transform attitudes, beliefs, choices and perceptions about social and emotional wellbeing; and c) promoting family and faith ministry as viable pathways to embrace hope and healing, especially during times of intense crises.

Research indicates that having information alone will not sustain behavioral change, nor will it change attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and choices in the long term. Health information “intermediaries” are more likely to prompt lasting behavioral change when such information is presented by a culturally competent, trusted member of one’s own community. Uptake of such information is significantly improved when respected and credible leaders within a community, such as faith or civic leaders, deliver and reinforce the message that facts matter!

The pervasive influence of digital information, news, and media entertainment [INIME] have on shaping attitudes, beliefs, and choices is undisputed. We must address the INIME’s influence on our perceptions of “the truth” and in pursuit of “the truth'“. Focusing on the INIME’s influence offers unprecedented opportunities to “connect” with people where they spend most of their re-creational time being entertained. The judicious use of music and media makes this integrated approach to teaching and learning engaging and culturally relevant across age, race, income, educational, or any other differences.