The time has come for us all—Community Health Workers (CHWs), clinical healthcare professionals, and allies alike—to stand united. As we approach a looming crisis in healthcare, this is not a moment to panic but a moment to prepare. This is a war cry for us to come together, break down silos, and work as one. Our communities need us, and as those who hold the lived experiences of navigating these challenges from the inside out, we are uniquely equipped to respond.
The Power of Partnership
The healthcare system, whether clinical or nonclinical, cannot function in isolation. The challenges our communities face—systemic inequities, mental health crises, substance abuse, and more—demand a collaborative response. We need to move beyond the "do-it-yourself" mentality.
No single entity has all the answers, but together, we can innovate and create lasting solutions. Let’s build bridges, not barriers. Let’s honor the visionaries among us and credit those who tirelessly work to make lives better. After all, people do not belong to us; they belong to God. We are all His children, and no one is better than anyone else.
CHWs: Warriors of Trust and Advocacy
CHWs are more than just professionals—they are warriors in "beast mode" for their communities every day. The secret sauce of our work is the trusted relationships we build. These relationships are born from shared experiences and a commitment to healing. We understand the trauma our community members face because many of us have walked the same paths.
But we also know that healing takes more than temporary healthcare solutions. Band-aid fixes will not solve the systemic issues our communities face. It’s time to address the root causes of inequity and remove the barriers that perpetuate suffering.
Valuing CHWs: The Need for Support and Sustainability
It’s disheartening that CHWs often feel disrespected, under-credited, and undervalued. We are seen as "bottom feeders" instead of as the transformative professionals we are. CHWs deserve a living wage—not just to survive but to thrive.
Burnout is real, especially when we are expected to work multiple jobs to make ends meet while carrying the emotional weight of our work. Yet, we persevere, heads held high, even when the trauma we face daily takes its toll.
Healing Ourselves and Our Communities
It’s not just our communities that need healing; we as CHWs need emotional and trauma recovery as well. Let’s implement plans for long-term care—both for ourselves and for those we serve. Together, we can move from surviving to thriving, from being in survival mode to leading with strength and resilience.
A Vision for the Future
I have a vision—one that brings community voices to the table and respects the expertise of those with lived experience. It’s a vision that removes systemic barriers, fosters mutual support, and builds a sustainable framework for CHWs and other healthcare professionals to thrive.
But this vision requires all of us to be bold and courageous, to listen and learn from one another, and to take collective action. We cannot continue to work in isolation; we must collaborate and build trusted partnerships to support the communities we all serve.
Thriving After Trauma
Say it with me:
I can thrive after trauma unashamed.
You can thrive after trauma unashamed.
We can thrive after trauma unashamed.
Together, let’s walk in our greatness and show our communities how to rise above the challenges they face. CHWs, healthcare workers, allies—we need one another more than ever. Let’s answer this call.
To be continued...
