My name is Hannah and I am a UCLA alumnus, currently in my gap year as I pursue medical school. After graduating, I wanted to directly engage with my hometown community because my plan is to one day come back here and be a physician for this diverse population in the Central Valley. Being an NHC member has fueled this passion of mine as I am able to connect with people and groups of different backgrounds. Currently, I am serving at West Fresno Family Resource Center (WFFRC) and my position is program and outreach coordinator for the Good Jobs Challenge Initiative (Good Jobs).

The Good Jobs program aims to increase secure employment through job readiness. As a program coordinator, I have developed a job readiness curriculum for individuals to learn from and apply in their future job roles. This includes resume building, mock interviews, and soft skills development such as communication skills and professionalism. I implement these workshops with goals to successfully prepare individuals for the job market, especially when one does not know where or how to begin. Notably, my role is heavily involved in case management as I walk clients through their career goals and to potentially obtain a job. I have learned many valuable things as a case manager because each person is unique and so I take the time and effort to personalize each client’s plan.

Significantly, I also engage in a lot of outreach to share about the resources and services that we offer in Good Jobs, as well as WFFRC. In my outreach efforts, I have created partnerships with other community-based organizations, adding to my network. Along with this, I outreach at various events including food distributions, college and career fairs, and community events. I have come across many families and individuals who are captivated by my flyers as they express to me the challenges of finding a job and how much they need one. When I explain the process of how I can be of guidance, there is a great sense of gratitude that I receive. It has also been enlightening to be a bridge in access to resources because of programs in WFFRC that I can direct families to such as housing navigation and a health disparities initiative.

As I reflect on my time as an NHC member, I see the impact that I am making on my community which is rewarding. I see how the public health trainings and professional development in NHC contribute to my service and my future career as I strive to build a healthier community. Going hand in hand, I also acknowledge how my service connects to the social determinants of health as I play a part in improving economic stability for individuals and in reducing employment barriers. In meeting people where they are at by sharing resources and establishing connections, I hope to continue to implement this and as a future health professional.