The impact of the Community Collaborative
How our unique community-based approach empowers neighbors to lead healthier lives
The Collaborative’s eight councils embody our vision of what it truly means to be a community hospital. More than 200 members strong, they serve as a powerful force for prevention and wellness.
Established in 2017, the Community Collaborative serves as a cornerstone of Newton-Wellesley’s unique community-based approach to addressing the most compelling health needs of our neighbors.
An unrelenting focus on priority needs
Our role as a community hospital extends far beyond direct patient care. Moreover, our mission and mandate press us to be a force for prevention and wellness across surrounding cities and towns. Grounded in priority needs identified by an ongoing Community Health Needs Assessment, the Collaborative brings an unrelenting focus to lessening healthcare disparities, strengthening the social fabric of support, and empowering residents to lead healthier lives.
At the core of who we are Caring for our community is at the core of who we are. The Collaborative builds on that enduring commitment. True to its name, it works collaboratively within communities. Its initiatives are guided by eight councils, dedicated to addressing the underlying social determinants of health and providing services that go unfunded or underreimbursed by insurance. Each embraces education, advocacy, philanthropy, and targeted programmatic initiatives.
The Collaborative’s Councils
• Domestic and Sexual Abuse Council
• Elder Council
• Heart Health and Wellness Council
• Maternity Services Council
• Palliative Care Council
• Resilience Council
• Substance Use Services Council
• Workforce Development Council
Impacting thousands of lives
Deepening community connections
Since its inception, thousands of individuals and families have benefitted from the Collaborative’s programming. Their personal stories bring home both its reach and life-changing impact across people’s lifespans. Each year more than 2,000 community members take part in educational programs and outreach events sponsored by the Councils. their hearts. With the significant fiscal pressure facing hospitals today, philanthropy has never been more vital. Our investment in critical programs through the Councils sends a clear message for individuals and families in our communities: we’re here for you. In order to sustain and build on these services, your generosity will be critical.
From the start, the Collaborative’s success has grown from the leadership of passionate volunteers, the expertise of NWH staff and community partners, and the generosity of our community of donors. Deeply rooted relationships are key. Its Councils consistently partner with civic, municipal, educational, senior, and social service agencies, all of whom work on the frontlines of some of the most pressing public health issues.
What your support makes possible
Getting the right help at the right time can lead to a trajectory of lifelong health and wellness.
Since the Collaborative’s launch, many loyal and generous donors have gratefully stepped up to support vital initiatives close to
“We’ve shown our neighbors that our hospital is not just a building you come to in a crisis. We’re with you during whatever you’re experiencing in life, and we can meet you where you are.”
– Lauren Lele, Senior Director, Community Health and Volunteer Services, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
By the numbers
2,250 area students directly impacted by the Resilience Project’s programming
2,380 local seniors attended virtual health and wellness webinars since 2020
734 survivors of domestic, family, or sexual violence received free, confidential services
2,125 new moms referred for evaluation and care for postpartum depression and anxiety
730
physicians and nurses trained in Serious Illness Conversations by the Palliative Care team
122
students explored healthcare careers through Summer Internship Program
354 firefighters took part in training to prevent heart disease, the leading cause of on-duty deaths
2,700+ patients treated in the Substance Use Clinic
Highlights of life-changing impact
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Council
The Council brings together survivors, advocates, community members, and healthcare providers, all lending their skills to ensure robust healthcare and community-based responses to violence and abuse. They have a special focus on enhancing access for survivors who face linguistic and cultural barriers.
• Funded a Spanish-language social worker embedded in a partner agency in Waltham.
• Expanded and promoted hospital and community resources, including focus on materials accessible for diverse populations.
• Collaborated on a community-wide educational program, “Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships and Finding Support,” addressing the issue of abuse within intimate partner relationships.
Elder Council
The Council’s members view needs through the lens of elders themselves, healthcare providers, home caregivers, municipal professionals, and others. They are devoted to respecting the goals of community elders and valuing programs that increase independence, safety, and happiness throughout life.
• Reached 530 seniors through a series of five virtual health and wellness programs, creating a
community to discuss health topics and enjoy socialization.
• Held three Senior Community Living Forums with 25 attendees at each forum, with topics ranging from infectious diseases and frailty to end-of-life care.
• Offered an eight-week Matter of Balance program in collaboration with local senior centers, reaching 1,900 participants since its inception.
Heart Health and Wellness Council
Cardiovascular disease touches thousands of lives across our area. The Council focuses on promoting treatment and prevention through education and evidence-based initiatives. Members include community and hospital leaders united by a passion to create a heart-healthy community.
• Developed and led community-facing preventative cardiac health programs for first responders, including Newton, Needham, Waltham, and Weston firefighters.
• Expanded the Walk and Talk Health Program to reach 900 participants in six communities while planning expansion of Heart Health Initiative to seniors and teachers.
• Educated 300 community members about cardiovascular health through virtual events.
Maternity Services Council
The Council’s members share a deep interest in improving services during pregnancy and after delivery—with a special mission to build awareness and improve treatment of pregnancyrelated depression. Together, they seek strategies to best meet the needs of new mothers and families.
• Contributed to funding an experienced clinical social worker, now receiving up to 60 new patients monthly through the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Initiative.
• Provided new mothers with a free, twice-a-week, postpartum drop-in group, led by a certified nurse midwife, offering a welcoming space to share information and offer support.
• Hosted a community webinar for more than 80 attendees titled Journeying Through Pregnancy and Postpartum.
Palliative Care Council
Council members share a vision of increasing access to palliative care at Newton-Wellesley for patients with serious illnesses and their families. With a belief in enabling patients to make informed care decisions that respect their values and goals, they provide leadership, expertise, and philanthropic support.
• Secured funding for Palliative Care expansion in inpatient and outpatient services.
Resilience Council
• Supported and promoted Serious Illness Conversation training, begun in 2017 for physicians and now expanded to more than 260 frontline nurses.
• Hired a certified therapeutic musician who conducts visits to palliative care patients twice per week at NWH.
Amid an ongoing crisis in youth mental health, Council members help to strengthen and increase access to care through NWH’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service. They also seek to enhance the vital work of the Resilience Project in support of families and local middle and high schools.
• Engaged with 18 high school and middle schools through School Outreach Program with potential impact to more than 18,000 students.
• Welcomed more than 2,000 participants in the virtual Building Resilience series for educators and community members in addition to hosting its 8th annual Educational Summit.
• Reached dozens of parents through four small-group workshops, offering both Raising Resilient Kids and Raising Resilient Teens programs.
Substance Use Services Council
In recent years, concerns about substance use have escalated nationally and regionally. The Council’s members offer their expertise and support to arrest the spread of this serious threat. Together, they seek to advance treatment and prevention to have the greatest impact on community health and wellness.
• Conducted 150 group support sessions led by the SUS recovery coach, with an average of 35 participants per week.
• Provided Narcan and training to local community partners— police and fire, public health, schools, and shelters.
• Facilitated ongoing education and outreach in the greater community, including the Purple Flag Project during National Recovery Month and programs on alcohol and opioid use.
Workforce Development Council
A strong local economy can positively and broadly impact health and wellness. By developing our community’s workforce, Council members seek to expand potential career options for both youth and adults, enhance family financial security, and grow the pool of talent for local businesses.
• Provided paid internships to over 20 students each summer at NWH in partnership with Waltham Partnership for Youth, cultivating professional skills and opening their eyes to careers in medicine.
• Hosted NWH Career Night to introduce local students and parents to careers in healthcare.
• Drew 240 attendees to the virtual Healthcare Career Exploration Series, expanded to include sessions with broader career representation and staff participation.
“The beauty of NewtonWellesley is that it can be responsive to needs and work with community partners to come up with solutions.”
– Julie Marriott, NWH Trustee and Member, Maternity Services Council
617-243-6243 | nwhdev@partners.org nwh.org/giving