Our History of Impact
Every initiative below helped shape who 4RHC is today.
Since 2003, Four Rivers Healthy Community has launched dozens of programs, events, and partnerships in service of the Western Treasure Valley. Not every initiative continues indefinitely — some accomplish their goals, some give way to stronger successors, and some open doors that lead somewhere new.
This page honors that work. Each project below represents real effort by real community members. We keep these pages online because the work happened, the people showed up, and the region is better for it.
Conferences & Events
Four Rivers Healthy Community Conference (2025–2026)
The 2025 conference — A healthy future begins today: thriving in an era of change — featured 24 workshops, a poverty simulation, and keynote speakers including Dr. Shaleen Kendrick and Margaret Brown (Blue Zones® VP of Development). The 2026 conference — Rooted in Community: Strengthening Connections & Nourishing Wellbeing — featured 25 sessions and 20+ exhibitors.
→ View conference details & full history
Poverty Simulation (2017, 2025)
An experiential event helping participants understand the daily challenges faced by people living with limited resources. Held October 6, 2017 and again September 24, 2025 (125 attendees). A new simulation is being planned.
→ View event history · View upcoming event
Health Equity Conference (2022–2024)
Held annually from 2022 through 2024, this conference brought a full day of sessions, speakers, and networking focused on advancing health equity across rural Oregon, presented by the Malheur County Equity Stewards in partnership with 4RHC. It was rebranded as the Four Rivers Healthy Community Conference in 2025.
→ View conference history · View the Healthy Community Conference series
Investment in Caregivers Conference (concluded 2026)
A long-running annual conference for the region’s paid and unpaid caregivers, tracing back to the grassroots Caregiver Alliance and later the Lifeways umbrella before finding a home with 4RHC. The May 2026 conference marked its 25th year (having skipped a few years during COVID) and was its final edition.
→ View full conference history
Community Conversation on Aging (2022)
Co-organized with AGE+, this countywide listening session brought 182 Malheur County residents together across four sites to discuss the needs and assets of older adults. The findings — including the county’s projected 32% growth in adults 65+ by 2035 — continue to inform regional planning.
→ View event summary
Red, White and Breakfast (2018–2019)
A July 4th pancake breakfast fundraiser benefiting the Four Rivers Community Foundation, held in 2018 and 2019.
→ View event details
Diversity Conference (2016)
Hosted at Four Rivers Cultural Center, this free, all-day conference brought together rural Oregon healthcare and community professionals to explore equity and inclusion. Keynote speakers Cliff Jones and Maria Elena Castro provided frameworks that continue to shape 4RHC’s approach to culturally responsive programming.
→ View conference details
La Conferencia de Diversidad (2016)
A Spanish-language companion to the 2016 Diversity Conference, ensuring equitable access to the day’s presentations and materials for the Treasure Valley’s Spanish-speaking community.
→ View conference details
Eastern Oregon Nonprofit Conference (2014)
Held June 5–6, 2014 at Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario, Oregon, this biennial gathering featured more than 20 workshops and guest speakers serving the regional nonprofit sector. 4RHC provided marketing and administrative support, helping connect organizations across Eastern Oregon with training and peer networks.
Economic Vitality Summit (2012)
Held November 8, 2012, approximately 125 community and business leaders gathered at Four Rivers Cultural Center to discuss the economic future of the Western Treasure Valley. Keynote and breakout speakers — including economist Peter Crabb, economic development specialist Maury Forman, and Milan Well — led sessions on industrial land use, healthcare, rural development, technology, faith, and energy.
Community Initiatives
Run for the Hills (2022)
A 1-mile, 5K, and half-marathon race through Fruitland, Idaho’s apple orchards, organized by 4RHC to benefit the Four Rivers Community Foundation.
→ View event details
A Healing Space (2021–2023)
A memorial project in memory of Nathaniel Sean Stringer (1986–2021); funded a scholarship, plus a bench and tree installed in 2023. The scholarship continues on.
→ View project details
Robert Manwill Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of Robert Manwill, this fund provided scholarship awards to students from his graduating class through 2019. The fund has since concluded.
→ View fund details
Snake River BrewStock
A premier brew festival held at Four Rivers Cultural Center, raising funds for the Four Rivers Community Foundation’s seed endowment. The event featured 10+ breweries, home brew clubs, and live entertainment.
→ View event details
FAFSA Frenzy (2016)
A multi-school, multi-county campaign to increase FAFSA completion rates among high school seniors, conducted across 11 schools in Malheur, Payette, and Washington Counties. The initiative directly addressed college affordability as the primary barrier to post-secondary education.
→ View initiative details
Cradle to Career
A collective impact partnership supporting every child’s success from infancy through career readiness, convening local organizations across Malheur County.
→ View partnership details
Community Recreation Center Initiative (2013–2014)
Emerging from the Ford Family Foundation’s community change program, this effort engaged hundreds of Ontario residents in envisioning a family recreation center. Though the center was not built, the community engagement process strengthened 4RHC’s network and informed future infrastructure advocacy.
→ View project details
Challenge Day
4RHC brought Challenge Day — a nationally recognized experiential youth program — to the Western Treasure Valley. The program creates powerful opportunities for young people to experience connection across difference, celebrating diversity, truth, and full expression in their schools and communities.
Research & Data
Community Assessments Archive (2007–2015)
4RHC compiled and shared community needs assessments, transit surveys, and baseline reports to support data-driven planning across the Treasure Valley. Documents include the 2015 Malheur County Baseline Report, coordinated care utilization data, and food systems assessments.
→ View assessment archive
Early Programs
Early Initiatives & Community Development (2008–2015)
4RHC’s early years included the Four Rivers Community Garden (2008), the Payette County Youth Advisory Council (2013), Hometown Competitiveness programming, and the launch of the Four Rivers Community Foundation. These projects established the relationships and infrastructure that support 4RHC’s work today.
→ View early initiatives
Emerging Leaders Summit (2013–2015)
An annual evening event for high school students across the Western Treasure Valley, launched in November 2013. Attendance grew from ~100 students to 600+ by 2015. Historical program; no future summits are currently planned.
→ View program details
HomeTown Competitiveness
Beginning in 2012, 4RHC became the Western Treasure Valley’s steering committee for HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC), a rural community development framework. HTC’s pillar work directly led to both the Emerging Leaders Summit and the Four Rivers Community Foundation.
→ View program details
Ford Institute Leadership Program
Launched in 2003 to strengthen rural communities across Oregon and Siskiyou County, California, the Ford Institute delivered a five-year curriculum in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and community collaboration. 4RHC was an early participant and partner, and the community-building skills developed through this program continue to shape how we work.
We are proud of every initiative on this page. If you were part of any of this work — as a volunteer, sponsor, speaker, or attendee — thank you. You are part of 4RHC’s story.
Questions about our history? Contact us