For #NationalPublicHealthWeek, we’re highlighting the faces behind the Community Health Worker Outreach Initiative (CHWOI), a massive effort that saved Angelenos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted messengers, serving as a lifeline between communities and free health services and resources.
We sat down with CHWs from our partners, Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) and Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement (APIFM), to learn more about the unsung heroes of the pandemic who continue to serve as frontline workers for their community’s public health needs.
What is one thing you want the community to know about public health?
Celeste, AADAP: “Assisting the community, providing resources, promoting community wellbeing — that’s how CHWs can help you and your loved ones.”
Amelia, APIFM “Focusing on holistic wellness is so important in public health & is especially necessary in under-represented communities that are oftentimes overlooked.”
What drives you to do the work you do?
Isa, APIFM: “I find fulfillment in helping the Pacific Islander community overcome health challenges & empowering them to lead healthier lives through vaccinations and CalFresh enrollment.”
Carenda, AADAP: “Knowing that I can make a difference — one person at a time — through outreach and education on the importance of health.”
