Happy CHW Appreciation Month!
This year we are focusing on making sure CHWs take time for self care. CHW’s are valued and integral members of their community, promoting health for everyone. It is important to take time to recharge and preserve one’s health when working in such a busy and important position.
Please take the time to read a message from our interim executive director, Deidre Hurse:
Greetings!
I am very excited about CHW Appreciation Month this year! I have been serving as the interim Executive Director of MiCHWA since February. What an amazing few months it has been! I get to wake up each day and work for women and men who serve their communities. I get to advocate with and learn from a workforce that helps address social determinants of health by being trusted community partners.
Community Health Workers are so important to me because they have touched my life personally. I have two family members living in different Michigan communities with chronic conditions that are alive and well today because they had a community health worker. While most of the CHWs I know are humble and likely wouldn’t identify as a hero, to me CHWs are Superheroes. CHWs have a superpower of building relationships. They have the ability to navigate the steep terrain of healthcare for those who need their help the most!
So today, and every day this month, I vow to reach out and encourage at least one CHW personally. While they are strong heroes, they are also frequently battling on behalf of their communities for resources and access to care. This month let’s show our appreciation by encouraging CHWs to take care of themselves. MiCHWA will post on Facebook daily inspiration quotes for CHWs all month long!
“Together, we stand as one.”
~MiCHWA CHW Network 2019
This year for CHW Appreciation Month, we stand as one! Together we will move mountains! https://youtu.be/kNKu1uNBVkU
Looking forward to seeing you August 22nd at the Twelfth Annual Community Health Worker Conference
Warmest Regards
~Deidre
Check out the MiCHWA Facebook Page where we will be posting inspirational and thoughtful quotes about self care each day! Click to follow MiCHWA on Facebook!
You can also download a copy of the CHW Appreciation Month State Proclamation: 2019 Community Health Worker Appreciation Month State Proclamation