Last Thursday, November 17, the CDC Foundation hosted a webinar in partnership with the Vaccine Equity Cooperative entitled “What’s Next? Sustainability Wins from Community Based Organizations COVID-19 Response.” The webinar celebrated the tenacious efforts of community-based organizations that have used an equity-centered approach to reach their communities with important public health initiatives throughout the pandemic.
CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 CBO Director Marilyn Watkins, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, and Chief Medical Officer Lisa Waddell, MD, MPH, highlighted the role that technical assistance and capacity building play in enhancing community-based organizations’ abilities to advance health equity. Watkins also shared an inspiring example of collaboration between the National Hockey League, Latino Community Center and the CDC Foundation. Read their story here. Watkins concluded with a call to community-based organizations to continue their engagement efforts, especially considering the issues many communities still face, such as long-COVID or ongoing post-COVID conditions.
Webinar attendees also had the privilege of hearing from Venus Ginés, founder and CEO of Dia de la Mujer Latina (DML), a community-based organization serving the Latinx community. Gines discussed DML’s outreach and training efforts related to COVID-19 and their work with Promotores, or Community Health Workers. Learn more about DML and access their training materials at https://www.diadelamujerlatina.org/.
Khadija Walker-Fobbs, chief strategy officer of the Judson Center, shared about the organizations use of motivational interview strategies and storytelling to empower people and combat vaccine hesitancy. Walker-Fobbs likewise encouraged organizations to lean on community partnerships and follow a model of sustainability. Learn more about the Judson Center at https://www.judsoncenter.org/.
Finally, webinar attendees heard from Family Service of Rhode Island’s (FSRI) Vice President of Equity and Community Development Kinzel Thomas and Department Director Jenna Nelson. FSRI is an organization serving children and families in Rhode Island with wraparound services related to the social determinants of health. Kinzel and Nelson shared about their essential programs and underscored that “the best way to sustain a community is to invest in the community.” Learn more about FSRI at https://www.familyserviceri.org/.
As we continue to learn about the invaluable work made possible by community-based organizations across the nation, DH and DOH appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with organizations in our Washington communities to progress public health initiatives and strive toward health equity. If you would like to share your perspectives and stories of sustainability wins, please reach out to a DH team member.