community health fund

   

Village Keepers – African American Family Wellness Center

african american family wellness center

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), the rate of illness for African Americans is 20% higher than all other population groups in Contra Costa County, due in large part to the Black community having experienced historical neglect, maltreatment, and abuse from traditional medical and mental health systems. That history can make many African Americans suspicious and hesitant about getting medical treatment until their conditions are acute or at end of stage.

With these concerns in mind, in January 2022 the CHF awarded Village Keepers a $35,000 Executive Director discretionary grant to contract with Emerald HPC International Consulting to develop a business plan for an African American Family Wellness Center (AAFWC). Village Keeper’s vision was to establish and coordinate a network of Black organizations, nonprofit partners, individuals and allies dedicated to ensuring the safety, health, education, economic and emotional stability of Black families impacted by poverty and systemic racism in East and Central Contra Costa County. In Antioch alone, there are over 20,000 African American residents, representing 20% of the city’s population; one out of five are living below the poverty level. Village Keepers expects the AAFWC to reduce historical barriers and increase access to quality and culturally responsive health care and mental health services for these families and others affected by poverty and systemic racism in East and Central Contra Costa County.

During the planning process, Village Keepers was able to open the AAFWC in Antioch for limited services on a part-time schedule and was able to serve 50 residents, using Village Keeper’s own funds and a grant from the Antioch Community Foundation. In July 2022, the CHF awarded Village Keepers a six-month $35,000 grant to implement Phase I of the business plan that will allow the organization to continue building its services, while strengthening its infrastructure. Key activities during this period will include:

  • Complete the formation of a governing board.
  • Recruit a program coordinator.
  • Transition the organization’s Founder/Executive Director/Board President off the Board and into Executive Director position only.
  • Partner with Opportunity Junction to establish an Administrative Intern program. Interns will coordinate [AS1] client intake, appointments, referrals and scheduling.
  • Recruit and train volunteers.
  • Adopt an online client management tool and accounting software to ensure HIPAA-compliant client record keeping and secure financial reporting.
  • Conduct community outreach and a family health needs assessment to reach 300 people.
  • Form a Community Advisory Committee.
  • Enter into formal memoranda of understanding with community and nonprofit partners