Congratulations to our first graduates of the Community Health Promoter Program! Late last year, seven Mercy Housing residents living at our Tacoma properties were recruited as Community Health Promoters. These individuals were identified as trusted members of the community who have the innate ability to apply their understanding and experience in language and culture to appropriately disseminate information about health to their neighbors.

Community Health Promoters participated in an extensive 6-week training program from the Washington State Department of Health, graduating on February 27th. Participants mastered core competencies including confidentiality, case presentation, and are equipped with ongoing training and resources to discuss health topics such as health screening, diabetes and heart disease. Ultimately, Community Health Promoters will be bridging the gap between communities and health and human services by increasing people’s knowledge, while advocating for their community’s health needs.

Our sincere thanks to JP Morgan Chase and the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound for their generous financial support of this program.