1 of 51

Building Power, Connection, and Change Together

January 26, 2026

2 of 51

�

Rhode Island CHW Voices �is a statewide network of Community Health Workers advancing equity, leadership, and community power.

3 of 51

In 2026

What brings you hope? or What are you excited for?

4 of 51

Welcome
Network Updates
CHW Voices Vision for 2026
What will it take to get there?
Leadership opportunities
Community Resource Sharing

Today’s goal:

To connect and identify roles we can share to organize our network �in support of our communities.

Welcome - 15 minutes�Slide 1: sign into chat�Slide 2: Purpose, Community Agreements

Slide 3: Icebreaker

Slide 4: Agenda

Network Updates: 15 minutes �Slide 5 (round robin share out - or in chat if a large group)
CHW Voices Vision for 2026 - 10 minutes (SWANETTE)�Slide 6: How Voices builds off CHW principles alive in local networks�Slide 7: What we accomplished in 2025 and hope to do in 2026 (conference etc.)
What will it take to get there? - 30 minutes (GERRY)�Slide 8: Discuss what is needed for us accomplish our goals most effectively? 5 minutes�Need to set up breakout rooms and whiteboard (after discussion) - 15 minutes in Breakout rooms

Drop slides to debrief after breakout - 10 minutes

Leadership opportunities - 5 minutes (GERRY)�Slide 9: needs time and links added
Community Resource Sharing - 15 minutes (MEMBERS/SWANETTE)

Drop slides and let members share screen or drop links in chat.

5 of 51

Network Updates from the Community

Share how you and your community stay connected.�

Big or small — it all matters.�

Drop it in the chat or unmute and share.

6 of 51

CHWs make health happen – not alone, but through connection

We invite CHWs, partners, and allies to connect, exchange strategies, �and grow the movement for community health equity.

Our collective strength comes from shared learning and collaboration.

Every relationship we build strengthens trust, coordination, and community well-being.

At RI CHW Voices, �we believe sharing what works, �and what’s hard, �helps us all grow stronger.

7 of 51

�

Together, we’re building a national web of CHW power – �rooted locally, connected everywhere.

7

We invite you to:

Partner on workshops, leadership development, or system-change projects
Share your tools, challenges, and stories so we can learn together
Collaborate across states to amplify CHW voices and replicate what works

8 of 51

Consider example of APHA CHW Section: https://www.apha.org/apha-communities/member-sections/community-health-workers

Leadership Development: Logistics, Budgets, File management?

CHW Recognition: Communications, Messaging, Digital Platforms?

Membership Engagement welcoming CHWs and ally partners

Policy Development Accountability, advocacy, data, storytelling

How will we make collective impact?

9 of 51

Stay Engaged - Share Leadership

CHW Voices Conference Planning

RI Latinx CHW Group

Statewide CHW Strategy Team

CHWARI Newsletter/Website

9

10 of 51

https://legalkeypartnership.org/digital-digest/

11 of 51

RI Legal Services Can Help

11

12 of 51

12

13 of 51

13

https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/supplemental-nutrition-10

14 of 51

SNAP OUTREACH

14

15 of 51

Cartwheel RI

Cartwheel offers free food pantry delivery through a partnership with the RI Food Bank.

Accepts referral from healthcare partner organizations

Order Form

Website

16 of 51

Quick Breakout Group Discussions

Select a population that aligns most with your work or passion
Choose a note taker and reporter
Identify challenges, existing resources, and actionable steps we can take together�
Share back 1-2 key actions or insights with the larger group

17 of 51

Prompts for Breakout Discussions

Older Adults/ Elders

Barriers: What makes food access hard for elders?�
Assets: Who’s already helping?�
Action: One small step we can take this winter.�
Dignity: What does dignified food support look like?

Youth and Families

Barriers: What gets in the way of youth and families accessing food?�
Assets: Where are families already finding support?�
Action: One small idea that could help families right now.�
Voice: How can we uplift youth and family leadership?

Undocumented/Immigrant Communities

Barriers: What unique challenges do immigrants/undocumented residents face?�
Assets: Who are the cultural leaders, organizers, or helpers people turn to first?�
Action: One small, safe, trust-building step we can take.�
Inclusion: What would a more welcoming food system look like?

17

What communication channels reach people best?

Older Adults:

-What barriers are elders facing around food access (transportation, digital access, cost, etc.)?

-Who’s already doing something great in this area - how might we partners with them?

-What small but meaningful actions could we take to increase connection and support?

-What does a “dignified” food system for elders look like to you?

Youth and Families

-Where are families & youth already finding trusted support - and how can we strengthen those spaces?

What food-related programs or systems can be more youth/family-friendly?

How can CHWs and partners uplift youth voices or leadership in this work?

What resources, policies, or connections could help families thrive - not just survive?

Undocumented/Immigrant Communities

What are the unique barriers these residents face in accessing food or nutrition support?

How can we build trust and reduce fear or stigma around accessing resources?

Who are the trusted partners and how could we better support them?

What role can state agencies or coalitions play in making systems more inclusive?

Nadia.tsado@heart.org is my email. Please send any information for food pantry or newer food pantries so that there is a place where this information is regularly updated. This database is also a place where food pantries and other organization can state their needs and update those needs as things change.

18 of 51

What can we do together that we cannot do alone?

18

Universities: guarantee snacks/meals for students during breaks; expand campus food pantries; reduce stigma�
Healthcare: screen for food insecurity + warm handoff to CHW or SNAP Navigator�
Municipal leaders: support local food hubs, flexible transportation, or pantry pop-ups�
Libraries: host “sidewalk pantry” hours or nutrition learning corners�
State agencies: simplify verification processes; improve multilingual access�
Community orgs: strengthen referral loops with CHWs

19 of 51

https://www.wwpl.org/pantry

The pantry provides small quantities of unexpired, non-perishable goods to help expand meal options.

Can be accessed whenever the Warwick Central Library is open.

Found in the main concourse near the entrance to the library.

Stocked with the support of @feedri401, @amenityaid, and �generous library patrons.�

20 of 51

Church Food Pantry

First Unitarian Community Food Share Pantry

Open the 3rd Monday of every month

Free food and household products to families in the greater Providence community

https://firstunitarianprov.org/community-food-share-pantry/

21 of 51

21

22 of 51

Address: 1500 Diamond Hill Road Woonsocket, RI
Date: Saturday, November 22
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
No registration required. First come, first served while supplies last. One bag per household.

Waters Church

23 of 51

https://www.goodneighborsri.org/

24 of 51

Pre-registration required

25 of 51

North Kingstown PD is providing ready to cook meals for North Kingstown families in need.

Meals feed 6-8 people�
To request a meal, please email:�CPevents@northkingstownri.gov

*A confirmation email will be sent back. Quantities are limited.

26 of 51

27 of 51

20 Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Blvd, Newport, RI | 11:30 - 1:00pm

28 of 51

29 of 51

30 of 51

31 of 51

32 of 51

33 of 51

34 of 51

35 of 51

35

36 of 51

36

Donations can be dropped off at the CCAP Food Bank, located at 311 Doric Avenue in Cranston.

Most Needed Items:

Canned Vegetables
Pasta
Canned Soup
Tuna Fish
Canned Chicken
Cereal
Peanut Butter

37 of 51

Meals on Wheels

37

https://www.rimeals.org/programs/food-pantry/

38 of 51

39 of 51

39

East Bay Community Action Program Supports �(East Providence, Bristol, Tiverton, Barrington, Little Compton, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown

40 of 51

Libraries have some great books to read with children to help them gain a better understanding and help reduce the stigma and embarrassment that could come from getting food aid.

Saturday at the Food Pantry

Maddi's Fridge

Pa, Me, and Our Sidewalk Pantry

40

41 of 51

Senior Center Bus/Van

41

42 of 51

MTM Elderly Transportation Program

For RI residents 60+ with no access to transportation

Provides transportation to and from medical appointments, adult day care, meal sites, dialysis/cancer treatment and the Insight Program

Meal Site trips: 10-2pm

$2 co-pay collected by driver for each right (to and from, $4 total for roundtrip)

42

48 hours notice required

1-855-330-9131�D/HoH: 711

43 of 51

THE WORK AHEAD�

CONTINUING TO SHOW UP FOR THE COMMUNITY

When we talk about sustaining the CHW movement, this is what we mean — not just funding or job titles, but the web of relationships that keep us going.”

Every connection you build adds strength to the national CHW web of care.

Maybe your next bridge is inviting another CHW to co-present, sharing a resource across states, or simply checking in with someone who inspires you.

Remember — the power of our movement isn’t in one program or one person.

It’s in the way we show up for each other.

Let’s carry that energy forward — because every time one of us grows stronger, the network grows stronger.

As we close, I want to leave you with this:

We can’t always rely on systems, but together, we can change them.

We’ll keep organizing, connecting, and building — because that’s what CHWs do.

We rise for each other, and in doing so, we lift our entire community.

44 of 51

Upcoming Training Sessions

Envision - Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress Among CHWs

Novembers 20th , 1pm
Register via QR code —>

RIAIMH - Nobody’s Just Hungry

December 2nd, 8:30a - 10:30a
Register via QR code —>
$40 for non-members
Free for students w/ valid student email

44

45 of 51

We are our greatest resource!

�Stay connected, and never hesitate to ask�

—your fellow community colleagues may have valuable insights or know of available resources to support you.

45

WWW.FINDHELP.ORG

RI Community Resource Group

46 of 51

Dedicated Spaces for CHW Conversations

CHW Regional groups
CHW Roadmap groups
Statewide CHW Strategy team
Statewide CHW Employer Alliance
New England CHW Group
National CHW Policy Group

How does your organization, municipality, state, or region align with

and collaborate on CHW and community efforts?

47 of 51

Thank You & Take Care!

Email us with any questions: RICHWVoices@gmail.com

THANK YOU �&

TAKE CARE

48 of 51

Tools & Frameworks

Starting a CHW Network Resources:

49 of 51

Post-Session Notes

49

50 of 51

Life is a rollercoaster — during hard times, let’s lift each other up, care for ourselves, and remind one another that self-care is part of the work.

What’s one small way you can care for yourself this week — the same way you encourage your “clients” or community to?

51 of 51

CHW Voices Network

RI CHW Voices is a statewide network of Community Health Workers (CHWs), leaders, and advocates – �rooted in lived experience, community wisdom, and equity.�

We are not a program or a formal organization—�we are a living, breathing network built by Rhode Island CHWs.�

If you support health and healing of communities—�this space is for you.

51