Growing up in a household where one of my parents is a community activist and the other is a teacher, my brother and I were strongly encouraged to use our talents and skills to be a catalyst for change — not just a recipient of change. Further, as a quadruple minority originally from a rural community and a humble-income family, I have a personal understanding of the ongoing challenges folks face every day — just to be healthy. Therefore, this work is near and dear to my heart.
Faith communities and faith-based organizations also have a unique understanding of the challenges many people experience trying to make positive health changes while navigating day-to-day life. This is because we are the community. Therefore, your knowledge, investment, and experience continue to make PHW initiatives relevant, effective, and valuable.
As we embark together on the next phase of the PHW journey, I hope to continue and strengthen a faith-based/public health movement that empowers all participants, recipients, and supporters of PHW initiatives to promote and invest in health, faith, and social justice.
We will do this by:
- Getting more feedback from participants to improve existing PHW programs
- Expanding resources and partnerships to better address the diverse health needs of our faith communities
- Developing tools that will enhance the capacity and readiness of our faith communities to better develop, host, and sustain health initiatives
- Introducing new PHW initiatives that use innovative and creative solutions to promote health, faith, and social justice
So let me say thank you! The kindness and support the PHW team and I have received have been nothing shy of remarkable. I have been so warmly welcomed and am looking forward to our journey together.
Monica
Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness
