Community Health Workers hold annual Summit at Bally's

DOVER – The Community Health Workers Association of Delaware hosted its annual Community Health Worker Summit at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort on Oct. 16.

With more than 200 in attendance, the daylong event celebrated the valuable work Community Health Workers do in the Delaware communities they serve.

Community Health Workers are a valued part of a person’s health team, serving as a frontline liaison, guiding individuals and families through the health, social, and community services systems to foster health and well-being.

They provide outreach and education; coaching and social support; care coordination; and advocacy.

Community Health Workers work with a variety of agencies throughout Delaware, including health care institutions, state agencies, and community-based organizations.

They serve all three counties as trusted members of their communities, sensitive to the demographics and experiences of the people they assist.

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long praised all in attendance for their invaluable  contributions to healthcare.

“[Community Health Workers] are the unsung heroes in our health system,” Lt. Gov. Hall-Long said, in a virtual address. “Your dedication and compassion really do have a profound impact on the health of all our Delaware communities.

“You are the bridge that connects individuals and families to the care they so deserve.”

Attendees of the retreat heard from local and national speakers on a variety of topics related to social determinants of health and overcoming adversity.

They also took part in the Poverty Simulation, a unique immersive experience led by the United Way, designed to help participants understand firsthand what it would be like to live as a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month.

“To see this many Community Health Workers come together is a true testament to the important work we do here in Delaware,” said Mignaliz Nanny Vega-Morales, vice chair for the Community Health Workers Association and Bilingual Survivorship Specialist Delaware Breast Cancer.

“The Community Health Workers Association has grown to 328 members since inception. We have never seen this level of engagement and participation. Our mission is to collectively advocate for, empower, educate, connect, and support our communities to ensure health equity, social justice, and optimal well-being.”

The Summit also named the 2024 Community Health Worker Champion, an annual award recognizing an individual for their tireless commitment and outstanding work.

In total, 28 Community Health Workers were nominated by their peers, and four honorees were highlighted during the summit.

This year’s winner, Janine Brown, works at the YWCA as a community health coordinator for their Sexual Assault Response Center. She is also an advocate for victims of violence and sexual assault.

“I really feel like I can connect with the people in every community that I serve, because I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t have a way out – to want to not be a product of your environment,” Ms. Brown Janine said in a video shared during the summit . “The help that I’ve given people – there’s nothing more rewarding, nothing else like it.”

For more information about the Community Health Workers Association of Delaware, visit chwadelaware.org .