In the heart of Mecklenburg County, Queen City Community Connect Coalition (QC4) concludes a transformative year, passionately living its mission to unify, empower, and equip Community Health Workers (CHWs). As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s delve into dynamic initiatives and collaborative endeavors defining QC4’s unwavering commitment to public health in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. 

Newsletter Nexus:

The QC Connect Quarterly Newsletter emerges as a vital tool for disseminating information among CHWs, packed with updates on events, news, resources, and training opportunities. Featuring a CHW Spotlight Nomination, it provides a platform for CHWs to share experiences, ultimately increasing public recognition. Content seamlessly integrates onto our website, ensuring wider audience reach and visibility. 

Beyond Digital Spaces:

In 2022, QC4 embarked on developing its website. Fast forward to 2023- a notable transformation occurs. The website evolves beyond a digital space, where it becomes a vibrant hub fostering heightened public and professional recognition of CHWs. With user-friendly features, new blog posts, and a “Our Stories” CHW Spotlight Nomination section, the website becomes a testament to the diverse expertise and invaluable contributions of CHWs serving Mecklenburg County communities. 

Advocacy Amplified:

Recognizing the power of social media, QC4 strategically ventured into LinkedIn, establishing a platform dedicated to amplifying CHW advocacy efforts and acknowledging the profound impact of CHWs. Through a carefully crafted communications plan, QC4 showcases the vital role CHWs play in the community by fostering awareness and appreciation. As part of this plan, QC4 participated in the National Association of Community Health Worker’s (NACHW) first annual CHW Awareness Week, developing a dynamic social media campaign on LinkedIn that advocates for the promotion of policies respecting, protecting, and authentically partnering with the CHW profession. This not only contributes to a broader understanding of CHWs’ vital contributions but also emphasizes their crucial role in community health. 

Shaping the Future:

A standout event this year is the Community Health Worker Initiative (CHWI) Fall Biannual Forum—a collective effort dedicated to shaping a vision for a sustainable infrastructure supporting CHWs in Mecklenburg County. This collaborative initiative reaches its pinnacle with the review and approval of the CHWI Comprehensive Action Plan. This inclusive approach allows CHWs, CHW allies, and aspiring CHWs to review, develop, and implement strategies reflecting their unwavering dedication to advancing the CHW profession. 

Central to the comprehensive action plan are key components such as empowering CHWs with advanced technical skills, ensuring they have the necessary resources to address social determinants effectively, and focusing on their well-being by addressing burnout through supportive measures and self-care practices. Through their active participation, CHWs directly contribute to the improvement and advancement of the CHW profession. This lays the foundation for a future where CHWs are not only recognized for their indispensable role but are also empowered to lead transformative changes in community health. 

Resource Resurgence:

QC4’s unwavering dedication to knowledge-sharing thrives in bi-monthly meetings, where public health experts not only enrich CHW coalition members with valuable insights but also provide them with a wealth of resources. In December, a mental health expert delivered a comprehensive presentation addressing wellness and health equity among CHWs. This encompasses burnout and self-care assessments, exploration of the nine dimensions of wellness, and strategies for self-care. The session further equips CHWs with valuable resources to extend to their clients of Mecklenburg County by emphasizing the pivotal role of continuous learning in fostering a resilient and resourceful community. 

Visualizing Impact

In a dedicated effort to elevate the public and professional recognition of CHWs, QC4 actively participated in a photography session in collaboration with the North Carolina Community Health Worker Association (NCCHWA). This initiative goes beyond capturing images. It offered CHWs a free photography session, resulting in the spotlight of QC4 coalition members on the NCCHWA’s website. This significantly amplifies awareness of the expertise, contribution, and impact of CHWs across the state, underscoring the essential role they play in community health. Through such visible recognition, we aim to continue to foster a greater appreciation for the invaluable work CHWs play in the betterment of Mecklenburg County communities.  

Conclusion

In 2023, the Queen City Community Connect Coalition emerged as a driving force in shaping the narrative of community health in Mecklenburg County. The journey of unifying, empowering, and equipping CHWs through strategic initiatives for positive change is not merely a mission but a lived reality, making a lasting impact on the well-being of the community and beyond. As we bid farewell to 2023, its collective impact is clear. We are paving the way for CHWs to lead transformative changes in public health for many years to come.