The San Joaquin Valley is a key driver of California’s economic and cultural strength, yet it faces some of the deepest inequities in health, opportunity and access. At The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, we meet those realities with a clear strategy that centers community voice, builds power and connects residents directly to the systems that shape their lives.
Equity on the Road 2026 is a powerful example of that strategy in action. In early April, 800 community leaders, advocates and residents from all eight San Joaquin Valley counties gathered at Fresno State University for this year’s Equity on the Road. This longstanding event, held both as Equity on the Mall and Equity on the Road, is a signature convening of The Center’s San Joaquin Valley Health Fund (SJVHF). For 11 years, we have brought Valley residents together with decision-makers to elevate regional priorities, both at the State Capitol and in Valley communities. In a moment of deep federal and state policy uncertainty, the event brought community face to face with elected officials, nonprofit partners and philanthropic leaders. From farmworkers navigating the loss of Medi-Cal coverage to families facing barriers to housing, education and digital access, the stories shared at Equity on the Road reflect both the urgency of this moment and the resilience of Valley communities.
San Joaquin Valley Health Fund is a community-first funder collaborative of more than 40 philanthropic partners and 170 community organizations. The fund was launched in 2013, leveraging Sierra Health Foundation’s funding and infrastructure to bring attention, resources and collaboration to the region, fueling the movement for a thriving San Joaquin Valley. SJVHF’s Policy Committee—comprised of community partners across the Valley—builds the policy platform that drives grantmaking and advocacy priorities year-round. Those priorities shape events like Equity on the Road, which convenes Californians across intersecting issues with a regional focus, building solidarity and creating direct relationships between decision makers and the communities most affected.
As our Founder and CEO Chet P. Hewitt told the Equity on the Road crowd: “We choose to be more hopeful than fearful, and we continue to work hard for the things that we know are right.”
“Equity on the Road and Equity on the Mall are all about building movement,” added Reyna Villalobos, managing director of regional programs at The Center. “This is about unity. It’s about coming together in partnership and allyship.”
For over a decade, we have gathered to push for a healthier, more equitable Valley. The work continues—not alone, but together.