In January 2021, as a result of COPA organizing (including BHC), the County of Monterey funded $4.9 million for 10 organizations to hire over 100 Community Health Workers. CHW’s (Community Health Workers) are trained and equipped to deliver information about the importance of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and assist community members with access to resources. The VIDA project helped distribute direct cash assistance to families, especially wage-laborers and healthcare workers.

Supporting residents with financial assistance while also incorporating organizing. This approach includes conducting one on ones with residents to understand their challenges, identifying new leaders, incorporating stories into a broader community narrative and developing an organizing strategy for long-term systemic changes.

CHW’s continue to pivot as community needs shift.