Networks are webs of interaction that build solidarity between people. A network is a like a landscape made from relationships, providing us with a way to access one another when the sharing of resources is needed or when the work of many hands is called for. Networks don't just exist, they need to be shaped and kneaded like bread dough. The Northeast Radical Healthcare Network, or Radherb, is always growing and like bread dough, it needs YOU in order to rise. 

There are many ways in which networks of people are built. The projects described below are created to help us each recognize the web of resources and solidarity that already exist. And to create spaces where these relationships can be shaped, utilized and focused. Here are the ways in which Radherb has been networking to build a stronger movement of Health Justice in the Northeast:

Over the 1st three years a small Radherb organizing collective created The Northeast Grassroots Community Herbal Convergence, an annual gathering which brought the  analysis and ethics of Health Justice to the healthcare communities of the northeast.  The Convergence worked to build a forum by which we could all come to terms with and address the social inequities, privileges, and oppressions for those who are inpired to provide quality care to all people. It was a gathering where we could learn together, challenge one another and offer inspirations toward liberatory healthcare. 

Through the Convergence we were able to build and nourish the Northeast Radical Healthcare Network and each year the organizing collective found new ways to emphasize the growing commitment to anti-oppression work. Radherb teachers offered unique workshops and panels that one often can't find at other gatherings such as: transitioning off of psych medications, addressing cultural appropriation and racism within the herb world, creating working models of accessible healthcare, becoming a community herbalist, organizing against FDA regulations, providing holistic care to transgender communities, radical sexual healthcare and many more.

A New Organizing Focus: Leadership Training Development for Health Justice

The goals of the training are to:

*Encourage a dialogue about Community Health Care and explore issues of Oppression and Accessibility with students, teachers, community organizers and practitioners of herbalism/ holisticl health.


*Focus on Cultural Competency, which is defined simply as the ability to understand, communicate with, and provide effective and appropriate care to people with diverse values, experiences, and backgrounds.


*Create a base of Radherb Educators who can begin to teach and inspire health care providers, clinics, schools, teachers and students throughout the Northeast.

*Create leaders in the field of Health Justice who will then use their skills to collaborate with healthcare providers, clinics, schools, teachers and students throughout the Northeast.

The 2010 Health Justice Instensive Training will focus on the following topics:



Mental Health
Medical Racism
Trans Health
Classism within Healthcare
Organizing Accessible Healthcare
Cultural Appropriation

Within each subject we will explore:  History, Definitions and Terminology of each subject; Health Related Topics, Herbal Remedies (if applicable); Resources and more!

Through the use of popular education style facilitation and training, participants will develop facilitation and leadership skills. Attendees will also leave with a comprehensive manual and will be able to take this informative training to their own communities.

In the future, the Radherb Collective and network members will be presenting the Health Justice Institute Training at conferences, health clinics, herb schools and where-ever else we may be invited! Email if you would like us to host us in 2011. In September, 2010 we will be presenting in New York City for local health care practitioners, community organizers, students, and teachers. 


Staying Connected

The  Northeast Radical Healthcare Network is decentralized, but connected as a whole through this website and the Email List-serve that was created initally from the annual attendees of each Community Herbal Convergence. You can be added to this list-serve by joining the Radherb Network. The list is meant as a direct means of communication between people participating in and organizing different projects of Radherb. It is a resource to facilitate discussions, announce projects and events, and help us begin to utilize the network as a tool for community organizing. If you'd like to be added to this list, let us know.

The list serve is a way of connecting people all over the northeast  however this network is also self-organized on a smaller state or bio-regional level. Everyday and everywhere, creative people are working together on projects that  help move the whole movement forward.  Each person in the network is like a light within the darkness, connected to others through a shared hope and vision of what just and liberatory healthcare looks like. Yeah! That's us folks... keep it up!  

The Northeast Radical Healthcare Network website is a place for us to stay connected, share resources, grow the network and continue to be inspired throughout the year. Hopefully, this website will be a valuable tool for those of you who want to help shape the Radherb Network. Our goals are to provide: 

This website could and inevitably will become much more, but your input is necessary. If you have ideas about how this website could help strengthen and grow the Northeast Radical Healthcare Network, we welcome and encourage your ideas, thoughts and critiques. If you would like to share thoughts and ideas to the facilitators of this website please contact us.