Wellness
We support the emotional health and well-being of our Lopez community through a variety of different programs.
Community Health and Well-being
According to an 80-year study by Harvard University, “the best predictor of your mental health is your current relational health”. In other words, health and happiness go hand in hand with how connected we feel, both to ourselves and to the world around us. That is really the bedrock for all the Wellness Programs at the LIFRC.
From left to right: Veronica Ramirez, Laura Contreras, Mariana Beecher Robles, Karina E. Cerda Aquierre, and Melissa Montalvo-Chavez
According to renowned Therapist Ester Perel, “The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.” Thanks to a grant from North Sound ACH, the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center obtained funding to expand their Community Health Worker (CHW) program, launching it on Lopez and Orcas Islands. Now, all three island’s resource centers will have a team of Spanish speaking Community Health Workers, known as the Promotoras.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in the health of their communities, linking diverse and underserved populations to health and social service systems. Based on their life experiences and roles as health influencers within their communities, CHWs work to reduce social and racial disparities in health care. CHWs can improve health outcomes and the quality of care while achieving significant cost savings.
At the core of the Promotores program is the recruitment of Latinx community members who, because they live in the community and have shared experiences, possess a deep understanding of the community’s social networks.
As trusted members of their community, Promotoras provide culturally appropriate support with the following roles:
- Patient advocate
- Educator
- Mentor
- Outreach worker
- Translator