My name is Carolina Gonzalez. I am a Senior, BBMB major. Part of Promotora’s work is being involved with preparing workshops that provide information on resources that may not have been previously within people’s radars. These workshops give the ability to know what resources are lacking and what is currently needed. Additionally, we help people with groceries through the local food donation centers, Salvation Army, BMAC, St. Vincent, and New beginnings to pick up and drop off groceries for families that are unable to drive or make it within the given time frame these organizations are open. A big part of this work is providing holistic care through following up on appointments and home visits to get a better understanding of their living situations thus providing adequate resources for them. Furthermore, I am part of organizing and preparing a women’s mental health group that allows for a support group to be created and exposes therapeutic techniques to manage mental health. Next, I am also part of organizing resource fairs for the community to enhance networking between individuals and expose them to resources provided by local organizations. Finally, when invited we go to wineries and talk to the agricultural workers about the resources available, and give them a point of location to call when they are looking for directions.
There never is a planned schedule when going into the office, just a list of things to do. That is because a patient can walk in, call, or need something at any time of the day. These instances are what we consider “emergencies” and when it occurs, we drop everything. Working closely with Maria Remington has given me an opportunity to see the barriers people face on a daily basis. There is such a huge spectrum of things someone may need, thus it is important to be on one’s toes to determine what resources we could guide the individual with. Every day brings something new, and a list of things that are needed to be done. These lists that Mrs. Remington creates are not always completed because of day-to-day events, thus being flexible is important. The goal of our work is to provide the Hispanic community of Walla Walla, specifically those that work within the agricultural field the necessary resources they need individually and as a community to better their health and livelihood in Walla Walla.
This fellowship has fueled my passion for continuing to work with the Latinx community. Providing them with holistic care as a physician outside and inside the examination room. There are many factors that contribute to an individual’s health and ensuring that they get holistic care, by understanding their circumstances that may lead to not having the appropriate care. By applying these factors in the future, I will enhance the patient’s health and provide them with the necessary resources to improve their well-being.
Experiences like Carolina’s are made possible by the Whitman Community Fellow Program, which allows organizations of the Walla Walla Valley region to apply for the opportunity to create an unpaid, part-time fellowship addressing some of the area’s social, economic and cultural challenges. To learn how you could become involved, contact us at ccec_info@whitman.edu.