ONEWORLD PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTELike the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health), the New Haven-based OneWorld Progressive Institute is concerned with reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, especially through health literacy, education at every level and civic engagement. That concern led the nonprofit educational organization to apply for and receive a grant in July 2007 for its Community Health Literacy & Education Enhancement project.  "We are committed to expanding and fully developing our communication education programs in ways that will make us an integral part of a successful grassroots health literacy and improved education effort in Greater New Haven and Bridgeport," says N'Zinga Shäni, institute director.
OneWorld's primary activities are two public-access cable television programs, which have garnered 14 local, state and regional awards: - 21st Century Conversations, focusing on health literacy and other health-related topics
- OneWorld Journal, which discusses community issues and developments, and serves as a venue for information seminars and youth forums
These programs, airing on 16 stations in over 74 Connecticut cities and towns, are researched, written and produced entirely by the organization's all-volunteer staff. It's a staff that represents every corner of our racially and ethnically diverse state, and every level of the business and private sector. Producing programs is not only time-consuming for these volunteers, it's also expensive, the primary reason for the grant. "This will enable us to purchase badly needed equipment and technical services," says Shäni. And more equipment will generate more help from the community and high schools, such as Hillhouse in New Haven, Hamden High and Stiles Alternative in West Haven. "We know students will go into the community with us to produce very hands-on, community-based programs," says Shäni. This, in turn, will increase their awareness about the issues involved, as well as the awareness of OneWorld's audiences. It's the grassroots foundation Shäni sees as essential to improve health literacy and education, and reduce disparities. "We want to use mentoring and video production programs more broadly to actively engage young people in solving problems in the community and improve their opportunities for success," she adds. Recently, OneWorld has: - Held televised health-related forum with policymakers and community health leaders
- Presented programs on children's mental health, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) & dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder
- Presented two programs on health reform and men's prostrate health
- Two education programs: Innovative Education Leadership and Parent Teacher Collaboration
Meanwhile, OneWorld continues to collaborate with organizations such as the Yale School of Medicine, Fair Haven Clinic, The Village of Power (New Haven), and the boards of education in Hamden, New Haven, North Haven and West Haven, as well as several state and community organizations and religious groups There's no doubting Shäni's commitment. As she puts it, "This is a never ending process that needs eternal commitment." Website: http://www.oneworldpi.org/home.html
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