Christiana Care Health System is one of the largest health care providers in the mid-Atlantic, serving all of Delaware and parts of PA, MD and NJ.

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Bettina Tweardy Riveros, J.D., is chief public affairs officer and chief health equity officer for ChristianaCare. As chief public affairs officer, Riveros leads ChristianaCare’s comprehensive public affairs activities, building on the health system’s strong community relationships, reputation, brand and nonprofit mission to serve our neighbors as respectful, expert, caring partners in their health. She oversees all aspects of ChristianaCare’s external relations, marketing, communications, brand and reputation, government and community affairs, health policy, community benefit and investment and philanthropy, across the ChristianaCare enterprise. 

As chief health equity officer, Riveros leads the Office of Health Equity and advances organization-wide initiatives to create equitable systems of care. In this role, she oversees initiatives to achieve health equity, address disparities in health care and health outcomes, ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate care, advocate for policies to improve health equity and advance an integrated social care framework to improve the health of every person in all the communities ChristianaCare serves.

Community Engagement

Health Policy

Strategy

Vision

Government Affairs

Health Equity

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ChristianaCare Earns National Award for Equity of Care from American Hospital Association

ChristianaCare Connects with Community Partners to Address Social Determinants of Health in Delaware

Christiana Care to review health care in Delaware prisons

Department Of Correction Initiates Review Of Correctional Healthcare System

ChristianaCare partners with Las Americas ASPIRA Academy

Bettina Tweardy Riveros

christianacare-announces-16-million-community-benefit-investment-in-25-nonprofits-to-improve-community-health

Over $5.6 million has been distributed across Delaware since 2019 to address social needs that impact patient health.

Chief Public Affairs Officer and Chief Health Equity Officer

In another milestone commitment to community health, ChristianaCare today announced a $1.6 million investment in 25 local nonprofits, unveiling the recipients of its Community Investment Fund during a special celebration at The Ministry of Caring in Wilmington.

Since 2019, ChristianaCare’s Community Investment Fund has provided more than $5.6 million to 64 organizations, addressing social, behavioral and environmental health factors. 
”ChristianaCare is empowering and supporting our nonprofit partners so they can help meet the many needs of the people they serve, and work with us to improve patient health and create healthy communities and a healthy Delaware,” said Bettina Tweardy Riveros, chief health equity officer at ChristianaCare.

 This year’s recipients received funding to support health improvement initiatives in neighboring communities and address critical issues and community needs.

“Each of these recipients is making a significant and positive impact by addressing critical health challenges throughout our communities, including food insecurity, housing insecurity and environmental health. At ChristianaCare, we are honored to be joining forces with these 25 organizations to provide them with more resources so that they do more for those in need. It is another way we care for our community,” she said.

  
The funded initiatives will be implemented throughout the upcoming year and were selected based on the quality of applicants’ proposals and implementation plans, and on the alignment of their proposals with the critical issues prioritized by the community in ChristianaCare’s Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Implementation Plan.

  
Recipient Spotlight: Healthy Food for Healthy Kids "The impact of ChristianaCare’s 2024 Community Investment Awards funds on Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids will be felt not only in 2025 but for years to come. This funding will expand our program to an additional school, serving over 600 more students, and support data and research for future growth."  Healthy Food for Healthy Kids, Lydia Sarson, Executive Director.

Recipient Spotlight: Project New Start “Approximately 85% of the justice-involved individuals served by Project New Start are housing and food insecure. With ChristianaCare’s 2024 Community Investment Fund Award to Project New Start, which began 11/01/24, we have already been able to assist 23 individuals with clothing and household goods; 20 individuals with transportation assistance; 17 individuals with food support; and 7 individuals with housing as of 12/31/24. The impact of these funds cannot be overstated as this investment by ChristianaCare provides Project New Start the means to provide the critical basic needs an individual requires to live with dignity without the trauma of worrying about where they will sleep, how they will eat and how they can sustain employment. We are so grateful to ChristianaCare for their ongoing support.” Priscilla Turgon, Founder and Executive Director of Project New Start, Inc.

Recipient Spotlight: YMCA of Delaware - Central YMCA Supportive Housing Program “The Central YMCA Supportive Housing Program, in partnership with Christiana Care, serves low-income men at risk of homelessness who often face trauma, addiction, disabilities or lack of family support. Through stable housing, nutritious meals, welcome packages, rental assistance and supportive activities, the program fosters community wellbeing, improves health outcomes, prevents homelessness and empowers residents to achieve self-sufficiency.” Jimia Redden, Executive Director of Housing.

 This year’s Community Investment Fund recipients are:

 
•	AIDS Delaware: AIDS Delaware’s mission is to eliminate the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS, improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS and promote community health through comprehensive and culturally sensitive services, education programs and advocacy.

•	Black Mothers in Power: Black Mothers in Power seeks to eradicate racial health disparities for Black birthing people and Black babies throughout Delaware.

•	Boys & Girls Club of DE: Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware inspires and enables young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

•	Children and Families First DE: Children & Families First is one of Delaware's oldest and most trusted non-profit leaders in providing the supports and services children and their families need to thrive.

•	Claymont Community Center - Brandywine Resource Council: Claymont Community Center is a base for a variety of community organizations supporting educational, social, recreational, cultural, personal development, financial and wellness needs.

•	Delaware Center for Horticulture: The Delaware Center for Horticulture cultivates greener communities by inspiring appreciation and improvement of the environment through horticulture, education and conservation.

•	Delaware Futures, Inc: Delaware Futures empowers at-promise high school and middle school youth across the state of Delaware by providing year-round, trauma-informed curricula tailored to students at each grade level.

•	Delaware Nature Society: Delaware Nature Society connects people and nature to create a healthy environment for all through education, conservation and advocacy.

•	Do Care Doula: Do Care Doula provides grant-funded Doula training and development, subsidized Doula support and a variety of community outreach programs.

•	Healthy Food for Healthy Kids: Healthy Food for Healthy Kids supports educators in Delaware, bringing life-lasting benefits of gardening and good nutrition to kids.

•	Jefferson Street Center: The mission of JSC is to advance community-driven priorities in Northwest Wilmington that promote the conditions necessary for all residents to thrive.

•	Latin American Community Center: LACC seeks to empower members to become contributing members of society through advocacy and offers programs and services to anyone ages of one to 101.

 
•	Milford Housing Development Corporation: Milford Housing Development Corporation is a value-driven, nonprofit, affordable housing developer, providing services throughout Delaware. Its mission is to provide decent, safe, affordable housing solutions to people of modest means.

•	Ministry of Caring: Since Brother Ronald began the ministry in 1977 with the first shelter for homeless women on the Delmarva Peninsula, the Ministry has worked ceaselessly to ease the needs and struggles of our neighbors.

•	ONCOR Coalition: ONCOR’s vision is to build and promote spaces that connect people to the city and each other. It promotes positive relationships through community-based educational programs and recreational opportunities.

•	Our Daily Bread Dining Room of MOT: ODB is the only soup kitchen in the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend region. ODB is a volunteer run organization with over 300 volunteers. Volunteers help purchase and pick up food and ingredients, prepare and serve meals and clean and maintain the facility.

•	Project New Start: Project New Start provides a comprehensive cognitive behavioral change/workforce development initiative for individuals transitioning out of state and federal institutions.

•	Ray of Hope Mission Center: Ray of Hope’s mission is to recognize and address the needs of those who are struggling within our community and assist them in their efforts to provide for themselves and their families, both physically and spiritually.

•	St. Patrick's Center: Serving people in Wilmington’s East Side neighborhood since 1971, St. Patrick’s Center is a nonprofit organization that operates a Senior Center, and provides meals, groceries, clothing, paratransit and social service support to the public.

•	The Resurrection Center: The purpose of the Resurrection Center is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and create a spirit-filled environment that hungers for the Gospel and to serve as liberating agents in the midst of the world.

  
•	Voices of Hope: Voices of Hope’s mission is to empower lives and foster recovery. The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing substance use disorder. Through compassion, education and community engagement, Voices of Hope strives to break the chains of addiction, promoting a healthier, brighter future for all.

•	West End Neighborhood House: At West End Neighborhood House, staff, clients, volunteers and donors work together to resolve complex social challenges throughout Delaware. Through outcomes-driven programming, the West End Neighborhood House provide support that meets community needs in finances, housing, education, employment and family services.

•	Westside Family Healthcare: Westside Family Healthcare is a community-minded, non-partisan health center located in Delaware. Westside opened its doors in 1988 and has maintained status as a Federally Qualified Health Center since 1994.

 
•	Wilmington HOPE Commission Inc.: The Hope Commission is a reentry program that helps formerly incarcerated men return to their community. It offers support services that address factors known to lead to repeat offenses.

•	YMCA of Delaware: The Central YMCA Supportive Housing Program offers housing for men aged 18 and older. Residents benefit from dorm-style accommodations, discounted access to the fitness center and connections to a range of health and human service providers in partnership with the YMCA.



ChristianaCare Announces $1.6 Million Community Benefit Investment in 25 Nonprofits to Improve Community Health

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Caregivers and volunteers assemble 3,500 supply kits for neighbors transitioning to permanent housing and for those getting cancer treatment

Director, Inclusion & Diversity

Chief Community Health Impact Officer

More than 200 ChristianaCare caregivers and their families came together for a systemwide service project on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 20 to pack supply kits for neighbors in need.

 Hosted by ChristianaCare’s Office of Inclusion & Diversity, caregivers united in service on our Cecil County, Newark and Wilmington campuses. 

These volunteers assembled 3,500 supply kits with essential items like washcloths, dish soap and detergent for individuals transitioning into permanent housing and toiletries, journals and puzzle books for patients in treatment for cancer at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

The kits also carried inspiration. Caregivers handwrote encouraging messages that were tucked in alongside toiletries and other essentials: “You’ve got this!” “You are stronger than you know.” “This is tough. But so are you!”

 Other caregivers delivered the inspirations and the kits to the the Graham Cancer Center, the Union Hospital Emergency Department, New Castle County Hope Center, Inc., and other community partners.

Natalie Torres, director of Inclusion & Diversity, credited ChristianaCare’s Supply Chain and Transportation departments with making sure toiletries and other supplies were available at the three campus locations and also coordinating the pickup and delivery of donations.

 “This service project is such a powerful reminder of how our values of love and excellence shine through in everything that we do,” Torres said.

“Dr. King truly resonates with who we are as an organization. Serving our community, connecting with one another, making a difference — it’s what we do best — and we are so honored to carry on this tradition in Dr. King’s name.”


ChristianaCare Caregivers Help Our Neighbors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

christianacare-provides-more-than-1-million-in-grants-to-19-community-organizations-to-address-social-drivers-of-health

(WILMINGTON, Del. – December 1, 2023) ChristianaCare is investing $1 million in local nonprofit organizations to improve health for communities in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. 

 Announced during a special event Thursday at Ezion Fair Baptist Church in Wilmington’s Southbridge neighborhood, the funding was given to 19 nonprofits through ChristianaCare’s Community Investment Fund. The fund supports partnerships to build the collective capacity of communities to address social, behavioral and environmental factors that impact health.

“In order to improve health equity and accelerate progress in addressing the social drivers of health, we need partners,” said Bettina Tweardy Riveros, chief public affairs officer and chief health equity officer at ChristianaCare. “While ChristianaCare provides excellent health care, we also understand that we are not the experts on every social driver of health. And that’s why we are committed to strengthening these organizations and enhancing their ability to make a positive impact. Together, we are creating health in the neighborhoods and communities we serve.”

 As an anchor institution in the community, ChristianaCare invests in community health improvement programs as a core component of its community benefit activities. To date, ChristianaCare has provided more than $4 million to 52 community organizations through its Community Investment Fund, which was established in 2019.

This year’s awardees received funding to support community health improvement initiatives in high-need communities to address a diverse array of health-related needs, including safe housing, access to nutritious food – and even climate change, which the White House recently highlighted as a social driver of health.

One of the organizations that received a grant is Delaware Humanities, which provides educational and cultural opportunities to help Delawareans gain a deeper understanding of human identity. The Wilmington, Del.-headquartered nonprofit will use its grant to develop environmental justice toolkits designed to inspire, facilitate and guide conversations about the importance of environmental issues in Delaware.

“Major focus areas at our organization include health and environment, which impact human behavior and our collective sense of well-being,” said Michele Anstine, executive director of Delaware Humanities. “ChristianaCare’s grant will help us empower our communities so they can more truly understand the deep connection between health and their environment and its profound impact on the human experience.” 

 Good Neighbors Home Repair, headquartered in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, received a grant to expand its free home repair services to houses for low-income households, making their homes safer, healthier and more livable.
“Many of the houses that we repair belong to people who are coming home after a hospital discharge,” said Brad Dunn, advancement director for Good Neighbors Home Repair. “They often are returning to homes with broken handrails and misshapen steps but are unable to pay for repairs because they live on fixed incomes. We are deeply appreciative that ChristianaCare is supporting our efforts to provide services that keep our clients safe, healthy and at home.”

Recipients were selected based on the quality of their proposals and implementation plans, and on the alignment of their proposals with the key priorities of ChristianaCare’s Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Implementation Plan. The funded initiatives will be implemented throughout the upcoming year.

The 19 latest Community Investment Fund recipients are:
AIDS Delaware.  Bayside Community Network, Inc. Children & Families First.  Cornerstone West CDC. Deep Roots, Inc. Delaware 211. Delaware Center for Justice. Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Delaware Humanities. Delaware Interfaith Power & Light. Good Neighbors Home Repair. Green Beret Project. Healthy Food for Healthy Kids. Project New Start. Saint Patrick'’s Center.  Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.  The Resurrection Center. YMCA of Delaware. YWCA Delaware.  

ChristianaCare Provides More Than $1 Million in Grants to 19 Community Organizations to Address Social Drivers of Health

ChristianaCare Chief Financial Officer Rob McMurray and Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Community Engagement, and Chief Health Equity Officer Bettina Tweardy Riveros speak about how ChristianaCare is developing an environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) framework that will drive environmental impact. They offered insight into how ChristianaCare, one of America’s leading health systems and Delaware’s largest private employer is thinking about the environment and sustainability to create a healthy environment. #EarthWeek #EarthDay #earthdayeveryday #netDE #LoveOfHealth

How ChristianaCare is Working to Create a Healthy Environment

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