Funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, Engaging Richmond is a community-university partnership that was formed to identify social factors that influence the health of residents living in Richmond’s East End.

Based on focus group information gathered from approximately 195 participants, including men, women, parents, caregivers, elderly, homeless, employed and unemployed, many themes related to the health and well-being of community residents emerged. These themes included barriers to using services, child care, children’s programs, diet and exercise, crime, substance abuse, education, mental health, neighborhood assets and needs, perceptions of the neighborhood, role models, transportation, jobs and job skills, housing, safety, and unity.

After analysis of the data, the team identified three community priorities – mental health and well-being, workforce development, and parental engagement. These areas were selected based on four criteria: 1) they were mentioned most often by residents 2) they were areas in which residents were most passionate 3) they have a broad impact on other areas of life 4) they are actionable.

“Good mental health, workforce development, and parental engagement are three important priorities that can increase individual opportunities, strengthen families and the community, and give children a stable environment in which they can thrive,” said Albert Walker, Community Engagement Liaison at the VCU Center on Human Needs.

The Engaging Richmond Team will continue to conduct research and disseminate its findings on community conditions and health in Richmond.