I recently caught up with Kelly Umaña, the most recent addition to the CHEER team. Our exchange, which has been edited lightly, is below. What drew you to CHEER? What truly drew me to CHEER was the organization’s commitment and connection with families and community members of Takoma Park, Long Branch, and surrounding communities. For far too long our public health systems have searched for ways to engage communities and haven’t found the “secret sauce.” CHEER is the definit

I wanted to learn more about CHEER’s recent asset-mapping efforts. So, I got in touch with Bruce Baker, CHEER’s Executive Director. Our exchange, which has been edited lightly, is below. In December of last year, CHEER came out with an Asset Map Survey Report . Would you tell me a little bit about it? CHEER’s mission is to give people the knowledge and ability to create healthy, thriving communities, especially in less-represented and less well-served neighborhoods. Two of th