Reflections on Three Decades
of Better Housing, Better Health

As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, NCHH is collecting video messages from a variety of individuals including current and past partners, current and past board members, key stakeholders (such as funders, government partners, impacted individuals), and current and past staff members. We have so much to be proud of, and we truly believe that our personal connections with people across the years have been a fundamental part of our story and success. We’ll share these video clips on social media and our website, both individually and potentially as part of a larger video project looking back on our first 30 years and looking forward to our next 30.

Our Latest Reflection

March 12: This week’s “Reflections” video features Anne Kelsey Lamb, director of Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP). RAMP’s mission is “to reduce the burden of asthma with a focus on health equity.” Emphasizing both prevention and management, RAMP builds capacity, creates linkages, and mobilizes networks to advocate for policy and systems change targeting the root causes of asthma disparities. Check out Unlocking the Power of Home-Based Asthma Services: Model Health Benefit Packages, a collaboration between RAMP and NCHH.

Past Reflections

February 26: This week’s “Reflections” video features summer 2021 intern Alice Lu. Alice is an MPH student at Yale School of Public Health’s Environmental Health Sciences Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human biology and society with a concentration in medicine and public health as well as a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.

February 12: In this week’s video, Erin Guay, former executive director of Healthy Androscoggin and a past mini-grant recipient, comments on NCHH’s expertise and collaboration with local organizations.

January 21: Paul Haan, lead specialist for the City of Grand Rapids and former executive director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan recalls his experiences working with NCHH for nearly 20 years.

December 18: This week, we hear from Dr. Patrick Breysse, who directs the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Breysse reflects on NCHH’s impact on research, policy, and practice at the intersection of health and housing.

December 4: In this week’s “Reflections” video, Hester Paul—national director of the Eco-Healthy Child Care program for our longtime partners, the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN)—looks forward to the next two years of collaboration with NCHH on the Lead-Safe Toolkit and related projects.

November 20: In this week’s “Reflections” video, we hear from Dr. Robert Blaine, senior executive and director of the Institute for Youth, Education and Families at the National League of Cities (NLC). In his video, Dr. Blaine compares NCHH’s and NLC’s complementary missions and visions, which are key factors in the longtime partnership between the two organizations.

November 6: This week’s “Reflections” video stars Tom Neltner, who is the senior director of safer chemicals for the Environmental Defense Fund‘s “Healthy Communities” program. He was also the founding executive director of Improving Kids Environments, an Indiana-based coalition that is still active to this day, as well as NCHH’s director of education from 2005 to 2010. In his video, Tom recalls his own 25 years of working with and for NCHH.

October 23: This week’s “Reflections” video features Don Ryan, the former executive director for the Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning (later known as the Alliance for Healthy Homes). Don was instrumental in the founding of the National Center for Healthy Housing in 1992 and served on NCHH’s board for many years. Today, Don serves as the director of partnerships for Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church. In his video, Don recalls a noteworthy Senate appropriations meeting with NCHH’s founding executive director, Nick Farr.

October 2: This week’s “Reflections” video features Ava Lopez, who worked as a summer policy intern for NCHH in 2021. Today, Ava is a business development analyst with Public Works Partners, a New York-based certified planning and consulting firm. In her video, Ava talks about the passionate team she worked with at NCHH.

September 18: This week’s “Reflections” video features Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, executive director of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Women for a Healthy Environment. In her video, Michelle discusses NCHH’s role as a trusted partner and supporter.

September 4: To kick off our celebrations, let’s hear from Dr. Tom Vernon, former chair of NCHH’s Board of Directors, and our longtime partner Larry Brooks, director of California’s Alameda County Healthy Homes Department.

 

Let’s See Your Video!

Would you like to send us a video message? We’d love to hear from you! We’ll be collecting and highlighting received messages on a rolling basis from now through September 4, 2023. There are some helpful tips on creating a great video message below. To submit a video or ask any questions, contact Laura Fudala (lfudala@nchh.org) or Sarah Goodwin (sgoodwin@nchh.org).

To follow the rest of our 30th anniversary celebration, visit the NCHH30 landing page.

Thank you for helping make NCHH’s first 30 years a success! We couldn’t imagine celebrating without you.

Questions to Consider in Crafting Your Message to NCHH

You don’t have to answer all of these (and certainly not in this order), but here are some sample questions to think about in crafting a message to NCHH. Pro-tip: Don’t read the questions out loud during your video.

  • Choose three words to describe NCHH and explain why.
  • What has healthy homes and/or the National Center for Healthy Housing meant for you or your organization?
  • Why does the world need the National Center for Healthy Housing?
  • Why is healthy homes (and the work of NCHH) important?
  • How do you know about the National Center for Healthy Housing? When did you first know that NCHH was an organization you wanted to be a part of or partner with?
  • Tell a funny or compelling story (or two) about NCHH and/or staff or board members.
  • Tell us about a time or a moment when you were really proud to be affiliated with NCHH or about an achievement you thought was particularly significant.
  • Wish NCHH a happy 30th anniversary!  

Cameras and File Types

You don’t have to use a professional camera. Most smartphone cameras will do a fine job as long as the lighting is adequate. Be sure to save your file in a standard file type (like .mp4) and follow the other tips below for creating a great video message.

Tips for Making a Great Video

Think about the background of your video. If you’re trying to send a professional message, consider using an office setting. For a more personal touch, consider a living room at home. Either way, make sure the background isn’t too cluttered or distracting and that nothing weird is happening (like a plant behind you looking like it’s growing out of your head).

  • Minimize other background noises if possible.
  • Have someone else hold the camera or use a tripod.
  • You don’t need professional lighting, but make sure there’s enough light and that your face isn’t cloaked in shadows. (The more light in the room, generally the better the result, especially if there’s a light source behind your camera.)
  • Find a camera angle that’s flattering. Test it first.
  • Speak clearly.

 

Latest page update: March 12, 2023.