CHHSM Introduces Community Cares—an Affinity Group for Smaller and Emerging CHHSM Agencies

May 12, 2026 | CHHSM Staff

Many CHHSM member Affinity Groups have long legacies.

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) recently introduced “Community Cares,” its newest Affinity Group. Community Cares is centered on smaller and/or emerging CHHSM agencies and organizations.

Community Cares is one of several new Affinity Group efforts “creating more additional spaces for collaboration, shared learning, and mutual support among CHHSM members,” said the Rev. Dr. Zaria Davis, associate for membership and engagement.

Specifically, Community Cares will offer peer connection, resource sharing, and support tailored to organizations navigating growth, capacity building, and sustainability.

CHHSM also is launching four regional Affinity Groups, one for each area of the country, to encourage region-specific collaboration. These groups will allow members to engage around regional trends, policy landscapes, partnerships, and shared opportunities within their geographic areas.

South Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
East Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Midwest Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
West Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Many of our CHHSM agencies already have strong affiliations with their regional UCC conference. CHHSM is expanding that by developing additional UCC conference Affinity Groups. The UCC’s Heartland Conference, Indiana-Kentucky Conference, Wisconsin Conference, and Missouri Mid-South Conference—among others—already have strong conference-based Affinity Groups, and CHHSM will work with conferences and members to start additional conference groups.

In addition, our established specialization-based affinity groups continue to thrive:

Mental Health
Development (fundraising and advancement)
Housing for All
Chaplaincy

Each group provides a focused environment for professionals to exchange ideas, strengthen practice, and address sector-specific challenges.

Affinity Groups are a unique way CHHSM offers meaningful avenues for member organizations to connect, learn, and lead together. Another is CHHSM’s new Leadership Alumni Network, open to all current and past participants of any of the CHHSM leadership programs. This group is designed to sustain connection, support ongoing leadership development, and create a vibrant community of practice among alumni. A kickoff retreat is planned for the fall.

For more information on Affinity Groups or the Leadership Alumni Network, contact Davis via the CHHSM website, or by mail: 1300 East 9th Street, Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44115.

Upcoming Affinity Group Meetings: