PrepareSTL and the COVID-19 Regional Response Team want to hire 300 people to engage Black residents and other communities of color about the COVID-19 vaccines so they can make an informed choice.
The campaign is called the Community Health Champion (CHC) Peer-to-Peer Outreach Program. It is based on the premise that one of the most effective forms of communication is word-of-mouth, particularly when it’s peer-to-peer and involves people who are trusted. The goal of the outreach program is to conduct 600 community conversations with nearly 6,000 people in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and East St. Louis, Illinois. To achieve this goal, PrepareSTL and the Regional Response Team needs to hire 300 people to become CHCs. For their time and service, each CHC will be given a $200 stipend.
CHCs will be responsible for hosting two “Living Well in the Era of COVID” conversations, with no more than 10 people each, via Zoom. To prepare for the conversations, CHCs will be trained on the basic information about COVID-19 vaccines and on how to conduct the meetings. However, they will have support available during their conversations. Vaccine education experts will be on hand to answer questions. Community Health Workers will also be available to answer questions about needed healthcare and social service supports. Last but not least, there will also be technology support.
To serve as CHCs, PrepareSTL is seeking community members who possess any of the following characteristics, though participants DO NOT have to possess these attributes to join the team:
- Are 18-30 years old
- Live and/or work in North St. Louis City or County or the Metro East
- Have health conditions that make you vulnerable to COVID-19
- Are active in a faith community
- Work in early childhood education
- Participate in grassroots/community groups
- Are foreign born and speak English
Those interested in becoming a CHC can visit: tinyurl.com/PrepareSTL or email: PrepareSTL@gmail.com