We believe that creating a healthy community will benefit all its residents. Researchers continue to demonstrate the strong connections between health and community. The national health agenda, Healthy People 2010, has as its premise that the health of the individual is almost inseparable from the health of the larger community.

Social scientist Robert Putnam states that one's sense of community — your social connection to others — is a major influence on health. In fact, social isolation is not healthy. Community groups, civic organizations, nonprofit agencies and churches can provide important connections and serve as health assets. The Birmingham Directory, a local resource guide (a second edition was recently published by the foundation in association with the South Consortium and HelpLine/Contact) lists 250 of those groups serving South Pittsburgh.

As a foundation with a health mission,we focus on the value of health across our target neighborhoods in South Pittsburgh. We fund and partner with nonprofit groups who have a shared vision of building on the assets of our community to improve health.