Amputations, Community Health Workers, and a Healthier Columbia

One (short) paragraph in the State’s article mentions Healthy Columbia, an organization founded and run by an amazing woman, Terry Jowers. Healthy Columbia was a grassroots organization focused on improving health within the 29203 and 29204 zip codes. Terry wasn’t primarily interested in bringing outside help in, but rather, in diving into the community to find solutions from within. In a community meeting that Terry and Healthy Columbia held in 2011, the community asked for several things – better access to healthcare, more health education, access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and mental health resources for caregivers. In response to these needs, Healthy Columbia recruited and trained community members, aka community health workers, who lived within these zip codes to help to educate their neighbors. Healthy Columbia and the new community health worker team held frequent health fairs at community events, housing communities, and even in barber shops. I was fortunate enough to volunteer with Healthy Columbia, and it was fun, rewarding, and eye-opening. One person at a time, Healthy Columbia created bonds between neighbors, built trust, and improved health literacy. Change is slow to happen though, and the support for Healthy Columbia eventually ran out despite the momentum that the organization had built.