Right Where We Belong | Justo Donde Pertenecemos

Dear Friends,

Belonging is something we often talk about. For many in our community, it is something they are still searching for. In my work, I have come to understand that belonging is not just about being invited into a space but, instead, being part of shaping it. 

This process is essential to the health and wellbeing of any community. When people feel seen, heard, and connected, they are more likely to thrive, seek support, and invest in one another. For many families, particularly those navigating language barriers, economic challenges, or cultural isolation, these spaces can be life-changing. They become places where trust is built, resources are shared, and relationships grow. This is the spirit that grounds the Healdsburg Multicultural Center Project.

Community members have been part of imagining, and now designing, a space of belonging that takes form through their own lens. Together, we have worked to ensure that community-centered spaces are not only welcoming but also responsive to the real and evolving needs of that community. Whether through culturally-rooted programming, accessible health resources, or opportunities for connection, we are co-creating something that many said they have long needed in this community.

Our partnership with the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County has made this possible. We are investing in our community, their voices, their ideas, and their leadership, so people can see themselves reflected in a space and know that they helped shape it. This work is a reminder that belonging is built through trust and commitment; it is intentionally cultivated, not something that happens by accident. This collaboration reflects what is possible when organizations center community and align around equity, dignity, and care.

Marcy Flores
Executive Director, Corazón Healdsburg

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New Board Member Spotlight: Meet Jim Gibboney

The Healthcare Foundation is delighted to welcome Dr. Jim Gibboney to the Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors, where he has been serving since January. A recently retired physician with a long career at Kaiser Permanente, Jim brings deep clinical expertise and a longstanding commitment to advancing equitable access to healthcare. Since relocating to Sonoma County in 2017, he has become an engaged member of the community, drawn by what he describes as its strong sense of connection.

As he shares below, Jim’s perspective is grounded in decades of firsthand experience caring for patients who often struggled to access and afford the services they needed, even with health insurance. His belief that healthcare is a fundamental right for all resonates strongly with the Healthcare Foundation’s mission, and his thoughtful, collaborative approach reflects the values that guide our work across northern Sonoma County. We are deeply grateful to have his perspective, humane voice, and leadership on the Board and are pleased to share the following recent conversation.

How would you describe your background and connection to northern Sonoma County?

I’m a physician. I worked for Kaiser Permanente for many years. My husband and I moved up to Sonoma County from San Francisco in 2017. I worked at the Santa Rosa Kaiser for several years before retiring. We always loved coming up to Sonoma County to visit and to relax and rest. The idea of living in a place where we could feel rested and relaxed all the time just sounded too good to be true!

How did you learn about the Healthcare Foundation and what drew you to want to support its mission?

A friend of mine at our church, St. Paul’s, sent me a flyer for one of the events, maybe four or five years ago. That’s when I was first introduced to the Healthcare Foundation. I had always thought that, after retiring, I wanted to maintain a connection to healthcare, not as a care provider but in connection with some sort of organization devoted to, and passionate about making sure that everyone in their community has the appropriate access to healthcare and healthcare services. So I was strongly drawn to the mission of the Healthcare Foundation. I felt it really aligned with my philosophy. I believe healthcare is a right that should be available to everybody in the community.

Read the Full Article (4.5 min read)

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