Sandra has called San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood home since 1998, but her connection to the community runs much deeper than her years of residence. As a community health worker, Sandra is a lifeline for many of her neighbors, offering more than just guidance—she offers hope.
“I saw the need that existed in my community. It was something that motivated me to get a little more involved in the community and work for them,” she said in Spanish. “For me, the most rewarding part of being a community health worker are the interactions with people and figuring out how we can help them with the prime needs they may have.”
Her journey began with a simple observation: there were countless resources available, but a vast disconnect existed between those resources and the people who needed them most. This realization spurred her into action.
It’s this motivation that drives community health workers like her every day in our San Diego community. For many, community health work isn’t just a job — it’s a mission driven by a profound love for the people they serve and the place they call home.
What is a Community Health Worker?
Community health workers (CHWs) are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, bridging the gap between communities and medical services. They serve as trusted liaisons, educators and advocates — particularly in underserved areas where access to healthcare is limited.
With a strong understanding of their communities, CHWs not only improve health outcomes but also empower individuals to take charge of their own well-being. The role of a community health worker is a critically important one to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, has access to the healthcare, education, and resources they need to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Transforming Lives: The Impact of a CHW
Nahid finds deep fulfillment in her work, drawing energy from the happiness and progress she sees in those she helps. She’s a dedicated community health worker at License to Freedom, a recent San Diego Foundation grant recipient.
“I love working with the people with the support of License to Freedom,” Nahid said. “When I see them happy, it gives me energy to want to help even more.”
Nahid’s pride in her work and the support she receives from her team at License to Freedom is evident in the testimonials from her clients.
Her client, Sultana, credits Nahid for giving her hope during some of her family’s toughest times.
“(She helped with) resources for how to apply for housing, driving permit and license and gave us, courage to deal with things we don’t know about,” she said. “License to Freedom helped us a big amount by helping us to get baby needs and other things for the home that we would have otherwise not had.”
Homida echoes similar sentiments, “Nahid always listens to the problems I have and is willing to help. I learned (from Nahid) that women have the right to talk and speak and participate in things. (She) helped us become interested with hope for our new life.”
Celebrating Community Health Workers
National Community Health Worker Awareness Week is a national campaign observed the final week of August that honors the hard work of community health workers, like Sandra and Nahid. Making its debut in 2023, the weeklong celebration is founded by the National Association of Community Health Workers to raise awareness and recognize the role, identity and impact of community health workers in historically under-resourced and marginalized communities, highlighting their leadership and contributions.
This week is an opportunity to showcase the history and importance of CHWs and highlight local CHWs and community-based organizations’ efforts to improve health equity in San Diego.
About Healthy Children & Families
Health inequity remains a pressing issue in San Diego, where access to essential healthcare services and the average life expectancy is far from equal across the community. Through our Healthy Children & Families Initiative, we’re working with our nonprofit partners to address that.
Launched in the fall of 2021, the initiative supports the SDF Strategic Plan by advancing community resilience through health equity and increasing the well-being of children and families through expanded access to supportive services.
