Meet the neighborhood community health worker team

Last quarter, we featured our DIP-IN Eskenazi CHW team and the work they do to help individuals living with diabetes in the three DIP-IN communities. As of April, our neighborhood community health worker team is fully staffed and working in the DIP-IN communities to increase awareness of risk factors for diabetes and encourage those who are high risk to be screened.

However, this neighborhood CHW team is multifaceted and is also available to assist with social needs, connection to community resources and healthy living programs, as well as working with their home organizations to assist their communities in other ways. Below, meet our DIP-IN neighborhood CHW team and see what they have to say about being a CHW in their community.

Becoming a community health worker was a choice I made to create positive changes and progressive impact on public health on the near westside of Indianapolis. Serving neighbors within the DIP-IN communities that myself, my family and friends reside and work in is not only a blessing, yet an opportunity to be a resourceful asset to the health of residents while building community relationships and supporting projects that improve the quality of life.

What are you looking forward to most when it comes to working on DIP-IN?

I look forward to being part of the DIP-IN program because it is an opportunity to create positive community connections to improve the quality of life for residents in the Near West.

I wanted to become a community health worker because I love working with people and, with my father falling ill, it made me realize how important it is to be healthy and to be active. It has meant a lot to serve in the DIP-IN communities because the people look like me and I love being able to relate to different cultural aspects of the communities DIP-IN serves.

Lastly, I love working in the DIP-IN communities because I feel so good knowing that I am assisting someone to get connected to the needed resources and healthy choices they need to maintain their health.

What are you looking forward to most when it comes to working on DIP-IN?

What I am looking forward to the most when it comes to working with DIP-IN is helping as many people as I can.

I chose to become a community health worker for the Diabetes Impact Project (DIP-IN) because I have been living with type 1 diabetes since I was 9 years old. My personal experience with diabetes has given me a deep understanding of the daily challenges and the emotional and physical toll it can take. I understand firsthand the complexities of living with this condition, and I want to use my experience to help others navigate their own journeys.

Serving the DIP-IN communities has been incredibly meaningful to me. It allows me to give back to the community by offering valuable resources and support to prevent and manage diabetes. Being part of this team, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by diabetes, helping them lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

What are you looking forward to most when it comes to working on DIP-IN?

What I am looking forward to most when it comes to working on DIP-IN is raising awareness about diabetes. I am eager to support individuals in gaining control over their diabetes through education, resources, and personal support.

One of my primary goals is to help people catch diabetes early, allowing for better management and improved health outcomes. I want to share my personal story of transformation, demonstrating how I was able to reduce my A1C from 14 to 7.9 by adopting healthier eating habits and becoming more physically active. I believe that by sharing my journey, I can inspire others to take their health seriously and make positive changes in their lives.

Ultimately, I hope to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to live healthier lives and prevent diabetes-related complications. I am excited to be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the community and improving the quality of life for those affected by diabetes.

I decided to become a community health worker to serve and educate people about their wellness. Speaking to individuals about the significance of their health and providing them with tools and resources to empower a healthier lifestyle gives me a sense of making a difference.

What are you looking forward to most when it comes to working on DIP-IN?

I look forward to residents becoming more aware of their resources and fully utilizing them; for residents to feel empowered to take control of their wellness, as well as assisting those around them. I hope to see more residents proactively advocating for change in their neighborhoods.