Welcome, Advocate!
You are now part of a movement to build a healthier, more equitable future for women of color. This guide will help you understand our mission and your vital role within it.
"Blooming is your birthright."
Who We Are
HUES was born from lived experience to dismantle the systemic barriers women of color face in healthcare. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to creating lasting change through compassion, advocacy, and community-led solutions.
Our Mission
To increase access to quality and inclusive care for a diverse group of women, including Black, Indigenous and/or Native, Latina and/or Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern women.
Our Vision
A community that actively confronts and overcomes the interpersonal and systemic barriers to health and wellness for women of color.
Core Values
Health Equity, Empowerment, Resilience, and the belief that solutions must be community-led and culturally competent.
Your Role as a Community Health Advocate
You are a vital "resource detective" and the sole Community Health Advocate. The Executive Director is your supervisor and preceptor. Your work is the foundational pillar of our advocacy, transforming raw information into actionable support that directly enhances the lives of women of color throughout the greater Dayton and Ohio areas.
The Community Health Advocate Intern
Your research and diligence empower the entire team to provide the most effective, up-to-date support possible, creating a robust, reliable, and culturally sensitive resource infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
- Research, identify, and vet community programs and resources.
- Ensure all resources offer culturally competent and accessible care.
- Maintain and organize the central community resource directory.
- Distill research into concise summaries for the Executive Director.
- Analyze local health data to identify systemic barriers and service gaps.
Workflow:
1. Assess Needs: Research systemic challenges facing women of color.
2. Explore & Vet: Find and evaluate potential community partners.
3. Organize & Update: Keep the resource directory current and accurate.
4. Share Knowledge: Provide the Executive Director with reliable, actionable information.
5. Empower Advocacy: Your work forms the backbone of all client-facing support.
Our Strategy: The Four Pillars
Our work is guided by four strategic pillars. As a CHA, your daily activities directly contribute to each of these areas, turning our high-level goals into tangible, real-world impact. Click on a pillar to see how your role connects.
1. Community & Conversation
Fostering culturally competent dialogues and creating safe spaces for sharing.
2. Access & Advocacy
Driving healthcare access and supporting policy reforms to dismantle discrimination.
3. Research & Resources
Conducting community-based research and providing culturally relevant resources.
4. Education & Engagement
Empowering women with health literacy and engaging providers in anti-racism training.
Select a pillar above to explore its details and see a breakdown of related CHA activities.
Your Toolkit for Success
We've compiled essential resources to support you. Use this checklist to guide your first months, and leverage the community directory to effectively connect clients with the services they need.
Onboarding Checklist (7-10 hrs/week)
As you complete each task, check it off. Be sure to submit your weekly hours using the link provided.
Week 1 (ending Aug 30): Foundations & Orientation
- Review welcome video & complete paperwork and email (Communication & Professionalism)
- Examine our four pillars to understand your role as a CHA (Professionalism & Ethical Responsibility)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 2 (ending Sep 6): Resources & Strategic Planning
- Learn about local community resources from the existing directory (Knowledge of Resources)
- Complete offerings and description page for the new resource directory (Documentation & Service Coordination)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 3 (ending Sep 13): Community Engagement & Outreach
- Draft and send emails to local organizations about hygiene provision (Outreach & Communication)
- Create a pickup plan for the Saturday Service (Community Organizing & Planning)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 4 (ending Sep 20): Evaluation & Marketing
- Develop an online survey for the pantry and Saturday Service (Data Collection & Evaluation)
- Draft a social media post and flyer to increase clients (Advocacy & Outreach)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 5 (ending Sep 27): Resource Development & Client Recruitment
- Begin researching and populating the new women of color-centered resource directory (Knowledge of Resources)
- Publish and distribute marketing materials to recruit new clients (Communication & Outreach)
- Hold the first Saturday Service on Sept 27th with the new pickup plan (Service Coordination)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 6 (ending Oct 4): Data Analysis & Client Engagement
- Analyze initial feedback from the pantry and service evaluations (Data Analysis & Evaluation)
- Make initial contact with newly recruited clients (Communication & Interpersonal Skills)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 7 (ending Oct 11): Service & Directory Completion
- Finalize the new resource directory for review by Dr. Carter (Documentation & Service Coordination)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Week 8 (ending Oct 18): Synthesis & Presentation
- Prepare a summary of your work and findings to present to Dr. Carter (Communication & Professionalism)
- Finalize client contact and initial needs assessment forms (Documentation & Assessment)
- Meet with Dr. Carter weekly (Communication & Professionalism)
- Submit weekly hours: https://tally.so/r/nGAj8Q
Community Resource Directory
This directory is for your reference while you work on creating the new women of color-centered resource directory as a key project. Use it to learn about the types of services available.
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