Building community-directed, cross-sector initiatives are vital to advancing health-related policy and systems change. The Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) is a community-engaged center focused on health equity in the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), partnering with the Yale School of Public Health and the New Haven community. This session explores an 18-year community-university partnership that has mobilized efforts to advance health equity. CARE's work is rooted in principles of community organizing and coalition building, leveraging community power to confront complex barriers to health equity. The session will outline CARE's history and current initiatives, alongside successes, challenges, and impact. Participants will assess strengths and opportunities for advancing an authentic community-partnered initiative.