Michigan Health Improvement Alliance, The W.E.L.L. Outreach work to break down barriers to equitable health and well-being
The Michigan Health Improvement Alliance has partnered with The W.E.L.L. Outreach to appoint Heather Bauman as director of advocacy for community impact.
Bauman, the executive director of The W.E.L.L. Outreach, brings her expertise in cultivating relationships and spearheading partnerships across both public and private sectors to the team.
“I’m excited to be partnering with a second local organization to help expand their capacity and foster collaboration,” says Michigan Health Improvement Alliance CEO Heidi Tracy, adding that Bauman’s position parallels Nyesha Clark-Young’s role as director of advocacy for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. “Both of these positions allow us to continue to serve as a backbone organization by expanding our reach into the grassroots efforts of our communities.”
The W.E.L.L. Outreach is the philanthropic arm of Vantage Plastics, a manufacturing company located in Standish that places a high value on community and employee well-being. Its mission is to support individuals and families, providing them with the resources and tools to build a stronger community.
“The W.E.L.L. Outreach (Weaving Effective Leadership & Life-skills) was created to give back to the communities that we are involved with. Its purpose is to empower individuals, empower families and empower communities,” says Vantage Plastics CEO Paul Aultman. “We are elated that Heather is now collaborating with the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance to enhance that effort and bring additional resources, insights and alliances to that cause.”
Bauman, who began her career in non-profits raising funds for veterans organizations, has a deep understanding of the non-profit world and the hard work and grassroots efforts it takes to meet the needs of a community. She is currently acting as the interim director of Arenac Opportunities, Inc., restructuring their business model as a thriving provider for community mental health in Arenac and Bay Counties. She also serves on several local boards including Arenac County Economic Development, Sunrise Community Resource Center, Great Start Collaboration and the Child Protection Council.
“This opportunity presents a thrilling chance to collectively impact the health and well-being in our communities across all business and organizational sectors,” says Bauman. “Collaborating with an esteemed organization like the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance not only provides The W.E.L.L. with an opportunity to work on complex issues, but increases the awareness that our region has their abundant knowledge and expertise at its fingertips.”
As director of advocacy for community impact, Bauman will work in the rural communities of east central Michigan to identify and implement strategies that ensure everyone has equal access to:
- Receive affordable, convenient and safe health care and child care;
- Live in vibrant neighborhoods and communities; and
- Be a part of a healthy workforce and economy.
Bauman has worked closely with the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance on several projects ahead of this partnership, including Project IMPACT, a public-private partnership that embedded a community health worker at Vantage Plastics, and as a member of the Bay City Child Care Advisory Board, which is a group working to address systemic barriers to child care in Bay City.
“The opportunity to capture funding in our region for smaller non-profits and local initiatives is now, and the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance is a unique backbone organization that can help push that idea to reality,” Bauman says. “I am beyond excited to dream along with other businesses and organizations to make sure our communities see investment.”
Bauman can be reached via email at [email protected].