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. Nearly 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 not reimbursed by insurance. Each embraces education, advocacy, philanthropy, and targeted programmatic initiatives. The
•Domestic and Sexual Abuse Council
•Elder Care 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
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. In 2022 alone, more than 2,000 community members took part in educational programs and outreach events sponsored by the Councils.
Deepening community connections
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
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.
“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 HospitalBy the numbers
2,250 area students directly impacted by the Resilience Project’s programming
600 physicians and nurses trained in Serious Illness Conversations by the Palliative Care team
1,850 local seniors attended virtual health and wellness webinars since 2020
100 students explored healthcare careers through Summer Internship Program
734 survivors of domestic, family, or sexual violence received free, confidential services
354 firefighters took part in training to prevent heart disease, the leading cause of on-duty deaths
1,500+ new moms referred for evaluation and care for postpartum depression and anxiety
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.
Elder Care Council
•Expanded and promoted hospital and community resources, including focus on materials accessible for diverse populations.
•Collaborated on a communitywide educational program, “Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships and Finding Support,” addressing the issue of abuse within intimate partner relationships.
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 750 seniors through virtual Health and Wellness Webinar Series, creating a community to discuss health topics and enjoy socialization.
• Engaged 160 local seniors in virtual group fitness classes, incorporating tai chi, stretch, and strength, and added an Octogenarian Pilates class.
•Offered three sessions of an eight-week Matter of Balance program in collaboration with local senior centers, resuming in-person and 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, Waltham, and Weston firefighters.
•Kicked off the Walk and Talk Health Program in Waltham while planning expansion of Heart Health Initiative to seniors and teachers.
•Educated 300 community members about cardiovascular health through three 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.
• Built awareness and understanding of postpartum depression through council member and hospital staff attendance at community outreach events.
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. Provided
Resilience Council
palliative care services for over 600 families.
• Supported and promoted Serious Illness Conversation training, begun in 2017 for physicians and now expanded to frontline nurses.
• Conducted community education on Advanced Care Planning and engaged with community partners to explore additional opportunities.
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.
• Provided training and clinical consultation to more than 450 educators in addition to hosting a 7th annual Educational Summit and adding a school liaison clinician to further support local public schools.
• Reached nearly 150 parents through small-group workshops, adding a new Raising Resilient Kids program to the ongoing Raising Resilient Teens series.
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.
• Supported Emergency Department outreach, social work, primary care linkages and the SUS recovery coach at NWH and grew capacity for group care/counseling sessions, impacting 2,700 patient visits.
• Provided 231 doses of Narcan 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 up to 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 200 attendees to the virtual Healthcare Career Exploration Series, expanded to include four 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, Workforce Development Council