Leticia A.
Leticia A. became inspired to become a Community Health Worker because of her own experiences as an immigrant receiving help getting resources, such as working with a CHW to apply for Medi-Cal benefits for her sons. Over time she thought she’d love working in this field, helping other families get the resources they need.
“I started working toward the non-credit certificate since I wasn’t sure I’d like the classes. But I did like the classes, and I lost my job as a salesperson while taking the first class, so I decided to switch to classes with credits and apply for a job related to community health,” says Leticia. She did get the job.
She notes that her previous professional experience in sales wasn’t in community services. But when she started the classes, she found familiarity with her customer service background – listening to customers’ and helping them fulfill their needs.
Leticia is working as a CHW at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA), promoting mental health services for youth and families. She attends events, gives presentations, offers food distribution, and participates in activities that engage with the community.
“We’re the face of PVPSA. This job is meeting my goal of helping people as I wished to do. As I get my certificate and more experience, I would love to grow in this field.”
Sarahi R.
Sarahi R. graduated from Cabrillo in Early Childhood Education and holds a position at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA). She found the position when seeking a job promoting mental health in the community. Sarahi has worked with PVPSA for four years.
Recently, the organization asked her to return to Cabrillo to get her CHW certificate and is allowing her to take classes while working. She is doing community outreach and presentations, teaching parents about mental health, providing mental health referrals for children, and offering food and diaper distributions.
“I wanted to go back and get the certificate to expand my knowledge. Getting the certificate means I’ll be using the right skills in community work,” says Sarahi.
She appreciates the chance to make mental health more accessible for those in Watsonville.
“It can start with a conversation about personal health or stress management, and it comes from someone in the community, not a doctor.”
Sarahi wants to keep pursuing community engagement but is interested in social work.
“This is the foundation for that and it’s step by step.”
Read about Community Health Worker Maria Adolfo-Morales’ work with Indigenous farmworkers who were victims of the Pajaro floods in 2023.
Claudia P
Claudia P. saw a Facebook ad about the CHW certificate at just the right moment. She had completed her bachelor's degree in psychology and had planned on becoming a therapist. However, after graduating she ended up working in hospitality for many years. In late 2019, she decided to leave hospitality and pursue her original academic goals, but then COVID hit, and she needed to figure out her next move.
At the time she saw the CHW ad, she saw an ad to become a Health Coach by obtaining an Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching certificate.
“I decided to get both certificates. It seemed that getting coaching experience along with the CHW skills would give me more opportunities to get my foot in the door at organizations that interested me,” says Claudia.
In the CHW program, she learned about an internship at the Cabrillo College Student Health Services as a Wellness Ambassador.
“It was exactly what I wanted to do in my career – helping people navigate their wellness holistically.”
Claudia got her certificate quickly, and she progressed from the internship to a contract Health Educator and Wellness Coach. The Student Health Center saw the value of the work, so the role of Student Outreach and Wellness Coordinator was created. Claudia applied and got the job.
To people thinking of going through the program, Claudia says “You learn so much and the certificate opens up so many doors to doing something you’ll truly love.”
Kailee W
Kailee W. has a long-standing interest in community health. A woman of color, she grew up in a community with folks who didn’t have good access to health resources, or adequate knowledge of how to use such resources when provided.
“I feel an obligation to spread more awareness about health care and how to take better care of ourselves,” says Kailee.
Toward this goal, Kailee received her undergraduate degree in sociology and critical race and ethnic studies. While useful, much of the information was theoretical.
To gain practical skills, Kailee entered the CHW program. She appreciated learning skills that helps her meet people where they are at and inspire them to make positive changes. She feels more confident in how to talk with the community.
She started at Lyric as a program coordinator providing direct service by facilitating peer groups with queer people. People noted that she was very good at the work, and she credits that to what she learned in the CHW program. And she was promoted to program manager a month ago.
“I want to continue empowering the community to be healthier, happier, and more confident. I plan on always bettering my skills and using these skills to train my team.”
Ana H
Ana Hirsig was already working as a program coordinator for the Day Worker Center in Santa Cruz, advocating for "our Jornalero's and Jornalera's" (day laborers). When she heard that there was a certificate for what she was already doing she said, "let's go get it!"
Now working as a CHW-Health Navigator at Samaritan Health Services in Albany Oregon, Ana gets the opportunity to help patients navigate the health system and with the Social Determinants of Health. She identifies barriers that trigger sickness on her patients and provides them with community resources.
"The program gave me the tools I needed to be more successful in my career. I not only increased my knowledge but got to meet very successful people, all driven to make this world a better place," says Ana.
Yadhira O.
While on the waitlist for the nursing program, Yadhira heard about the CHW certificate program. She thought it would be a great opportunity to get back to studying and to enrich her knowledge.
About the program, she says "It was absolutely amazing. I had wonderful teachers and made beautiful friendships with women from different backgrounds. The emphasis was on working with clients compassionately and with an open mind, so we could refer them to the right resources."
Yadhira appreciated that many of the students had the community experience, especially with agricultural workers, that they brought to the program. She is in the nursing program and currently is doing nursing community outreach. She knows that the classes and experiences she had under the CHW program will come into play.