Four Rivers Healthy Community

Early Initiatives & Community Development (2008–2015)

This is a historical page. The projects below were active between 2008 and 2015. For a full record of 4RHC’s past initiatives, visit our Historical Projects page.

Early Initiatives & Community Development

These projects represent 4RHC’s formative years — a period of building relationships, testing ideas, and laying the foundation for the organization’s current work.

Payette County Youth Advisory Council

Emerged from the 2013 Cultivate Idaho Initiative, a community assessment addressing food security in Payette County. The “Cultivate: A Place at the Table” event at Payette County Fairgrounds brought residents together to discuss local food systems, food regulations, and community communication. Discussions about improved inter-town communication and youth development needs led to the formation of the Youth Advisory Council, with 4RHC serving as fiscal sponsor.

Hometown Competitiveness

Launched in 2002, Hometown Competitiveness helped rural communities leverage existing assets by building around four pillars: developing local leadership, increasing community philanthropy, energizing entrepreneurs, and engaging youth. The program demonstrated results across Nebraska as participating communities attracted residents and strengthened their local economies. 4RHC brought this framework to the Western Treasure Valley.

Collective Impact

4RHC supported two collective impact initiatives in the Western Treasure Valley: Cradle to Career and Malheur County Poverty to Prosperity. Collective impact brings organizations from different sectors together around a specific social problem using a common agenda. The Cradle to Career partnership continues today.

Four Rivers Community Foundation

Developed through Hometown Competitiveness philanthropy work, the Foundation’s new bylaws were drafted in 2014 and a “Better Together” fundraising campaign launched in 2015 to seed the endowment. The Foundation’s initial fundraising was completed in 2019. Learn more about the Foundation →

Four Rivers Community Garden

Created in 2008 as the first Ford Institute Leadership Program project in Ontario. The garden served individuals, families, and organizations in the community. It was 4RHC’s first tangible community asset and an early demonstration of what collaborative action could produce.

Contact

  • Phone: 208-740-1622
  • Email: info@4rhc.org
  • Address: PO Box 923, Ontario, OR 97914