We recently completed a successful training in Patchogue, New York! This small but dedicated group showed a true passion and gratitude to take on the roles as community health workers for their communities, so much so, that they continued to attend training despite a recent snow storm and below freezing temperatures. During the last week of training, the group continued to practice and master their new skills in taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiration.

Over the two week training (spanning a 2 month period) the group learned important health topics such as nutrition, respiratory problems, and emotional and maternal health. Throughout the training the group participated in various role-play activities to better learn how to interact with and help others in their church and community. It was so encouraging to see the engagement and willingness for the group to further expand their knowledge in other health areas such as suicide prevention, CPR/AED and triage.

Thanks to the Pastor Franklyn and the church leadership of AME Assembly of God where we held the trainings, we hosted a graduation ceremony for our new community health workers and their family and friends. Once on stage, each graduate had the opportunity to show their well wishes and gratitude. Many shared about the things they now know that they didn’t previously, and how this new knowledge has already begun to change their habits and lives.

Many [of the graduates] shared about the things they now know that they didn’t previously, and how this new knowledge has already begun to change their habits and lives.

We are excited to return to the community in the future to further train the community health workers and recruit new students. It was very fulfilling to see the impact of all our efforts. I am excited to see the continued growth of this project, and cannot wait for the next opportunity to see all our wonderful community health workers again.

– Sarafina Cooper, Project Coordinator