From left to right: Paula Joyce, Lorie Rice, Dr. Eleanor Vogt, Molly Richardson, Sally Calef, Guest of HPP, Sonia Luevanos
Five dynamic volunteers from a variety of professional backgrounds have developed a training curriculum for the Community Health Worker (CHW) Program for implementation beginning this summer. The curriculum will focus on a multitude of professional development topics such as communication skills, proper dress code, conflict resolution techniques, networking, and stress management. The volunteers will also lead lessons of their own expertise for the program. Efforts to build the curriculum were spearheaded by Lorie Rice, who is the UCSF Associate Dean for External Affairs within the School of Pharmacy. Rice brought together four fabulous and knowledgeable volunteers – Sally Calef, Molly Richardson, Paula Joyce, and Dr. Eleanor Vogt – to work on the project.
“The Team and the CHW’s make a great match!” Rice said. ”The CHW’s have a need, and we had the experience and motivation to respond. It is a win-win situation, as we are sure to learn as much as we teach! This Team had the desire to respond to a reputable organization and see results quickly. Our hope is that it will be successful – i.e., meaningful and fun! I am very proud of what we have accomplished and wish to share ‘the spotlight’ with my wonderful colleagues. They have provided their time and expertise with a warm heart.”
CHW Program Manager Sonia Luevanos expresses her thanks and appreciation, as well as her enthusiasm, for the new curriculum. “For many of the CHWs, this is their first time working in a professional office environment, and this curriculum is highly needed to aid in increasing their professional development skills,” Luevanos said. “The CHWs have so much to offer, and what they will learn from this curriculum will open doors for themselves and leave a legacy of opportunity so they can enter the workforce in a professional and confident manner.”
The CHW Training Program is a highly competitive, intensive, 12-month paid job training program that prepares economically disadvantaged and formerly homeless mothers for employment. More than 50% of candidates chosen to be CHW trainees are former HPP clients. Many graduates of the program go on to work in a variety of positions at local community-based organizations, and some fill HPP’s open staff positions.
HPP sends a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful volunteers for their support, thoughtfulness, and generosity!