2 local leaders graduate from WNY Health Leadership Fellows
Renee Hungerford, Karen Kinter both complete 18-month program
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, left, and Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, posed for this picture in Hoag Library when they announced their acceptance into the Health Foundation of WNY’s Health Leadership Fellows 18-month program. They graduated from the program on Nov. 16.
ALBION – Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee County, and Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, have graduated from the prestigious Health Foundation of WNY’s Health Leadership Fellows program.
When they were selected for the 18-month program in 2024, neither realized the other Albion businesswoman had also applied.
Graduation took place Nov. 16 at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, followed by a reception at the Strathallan in Rochester.
During the two-day graduation celebration, each team presented their projects to a team of panelists and a large audience, Hungerford said. Team members were named after characters of the Apple TV show, Ted Lasso, and Hungerford and Kinter were members of Team Nate.
During the course of 18 months, their team worked together to create the Fresh Start Care Center located at Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrift Store. In addition to creating, planning, executing and implementing the project, the team worked together on an evidenced-based paper which substantiated the need for the intervention, according to Hungerford.
The project goal, she said, was to reduce chronic student absenteeism and increase student success by removing barriers to attendance, such as lack of the ability to launder clothes, obtain personal care items or have adequate facilities for personal hygiene.
The Fresh Start Center is a groundbreaking initiative designed to address hygiene insecurity among disadvantaged youth in Orleans County. Information supplied by Hungerford states the center is in response to alarming data showing up to 39 percent of students in Orleans County live in poverty, with many homes lacking basic plumbing.
Teachers have reported that hygiene-related stigma contributes to chronic absenteeism and social isolation, particularly among high school students. She said on a daily basis, as many as a dozen students are lined up at the door to the nurse’s office, waiting to take a shower.
Kinter likened the WNY Health Fellowship Program to Leadership Orleans. She said during their participation their team built a business plan and a pilot to operate the Fresh Start Center.
“We also got seed money from the Foundation to buy a washer and dryer,” Kinter said. “We got other money from the community and a private donation which funded supplies. Our class also donated laundry supplies and money to continue to help with operating costs.”
Kinter called the fellowship program a great networking opportunity which provided collaboration with more than 40 organizations from across the region.
“This program made them aware of Orleans County, who we are and what we are doing,” she said. “We learned what other organizations are out there in the region that can be of help to us. The president of the Foundation met us and got to hear our suggestions.”
Hungerford also praised the program.
“I felt truly honored to be selected for the 11th cohort of the Health Leadership Fellows program, as it fit well into my personal goal of doing my part to fix our broken healthcare system,” Hungerford said. “Good health outcomes start with ensuring people have resources for basic needs, such as nutritious food, shelter, access to health services and knowledge. Health literacy is paramount for people to thrive. I am thrilled that we chose a project that is focused on young people. Children and youth have little to no control over economic circumstances. All of us, as a supportive community, need to ensure they have what they need to achieve success.”
Accumulating enough money to purchase a shower for the Fresh Start Center continues to be an ongoing goal for Community Action. Hungerford’s family donated their time to install plumbing and electrical for the Center, and donations will continue to be accepted to purchase a shower. Checks may be made out to Community Action, designated for the Fresh Start Center and mailed to 409 East State St., Albion, 14411.
Hungerford said they had been quoted $16,000 for a shower, but she is confident they can acquire one cheaper than that.
Cassie Healy, manager of the Main Street Corner Thrift Store, also oversees the Fresh Start Center.
Provided photo: Karen Kinter and Renee Hungerford, fourth and fifth from left, are shown with their fellow team members after graduation in November from the WNY Health Leadership Fellows program. They are shown at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.
