Ann grew up in a small town in Texas with very limited access to proper medical care, which sparked her interest in healthcare accessibility from an early age. In addition to her career experience in the legal field, she advocates for her community through her involvement on a variety of boards and committees. A fun fact about Ann is that she just finished a Masters of Divinity degree and is pursuing ordination! The announcement of the Community Health Champions project caught her attention as a way to learn to be an effective advocate for community health availability.

Armin was born in Iran and immigrated to the United States at the age of five. After graduating from college he went straight to law school where he worked at pro bono clinics and discovered his passion for legal education. Armin earned his masters of education policy at Harvard and has since returned to Austin to further serve the mission of the nonprofit he works for. A fun fact about Armin is that he represented the University of Texas at the Quidditch World Cup! Armin is excited to be a part of the Community Health Champions program so that he can have a hand in helping Austin reach its full potential to provide the community with the healthcare it deserves.

Ashleigh was born and raised in Austin and inherited her passion for community engagement from her mother and grandmother, both of whom were very involved in the community. When the pandemic hit Ashleigh started doing more community work and took a focus in black maternal health, which led to her current role as a community organizer with Communities of Color United for Racial Justice. A fun fact about Ashleigh is that she loves to play kickball! She is interested in the work Central Health does because she feels it is important to have people like herself speak up to represent the communities that have previously been excluded or underrepresented.

Belynda is the seventh generation in her family to reside in Austin. She has worked in healthcare since the age of 19 and has been a physical therapist for many of those years. She recently started working in case management for unfunded patients and will soon be launching a Patient Advocacy Consulting business. A fun fact about Belynda is that she once rode a donkey to school in the fourth grade! Belynda is inspired by the work Central Health does and is passionate about honest, dignified, and respectful healthcare for those who cannot afford insurance.

Christie grew up in North Austin. At a young age she was passionate about newspaper writing and dancing. She has nearly 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her degree in culinary arts has helped her to blend her passion for cooking with helping people achieve their wellness goals. In addition, she has training in addiction counseling and social psychology and works with several non profit organizations. Her most recent involvement is with the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance. A fun fact about Christie is that she is a classically trained dancer! She is inspired by resilience; through the Community Health Champions program she hopes to learn more about how to support and empower others and be a leader in her own community.

Clarissa is from the Rio Grande Valley and lived there until she attended college at Texas A&M University. After graduating college and completing an internship in Fort Worth, she moved to Austin. After moving to Austin Clarissa served in AmeriCorps for a year and worked on a program targeted toward parents and toddlers getting ready to begin school. She also has formal education in nonprofit management. In her free time Clarissa enjoys biking and walking the trails around the city and listening to music. She is inspired by the opportunity to serve patients from all different backgrounds.

Dakasha was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA so she grew up celebrating Mardi Gras, eating seafood, and dancing! Dakasha has an extensive educational background in healthcare. Her work for the United States Army Medical Command brought her all over the world, including Italy and South Korea. When she returned to the states she decided to focus her efforts on long term care administration. She joined Central Health in January of 2020. In her free time Dakasha enjoys exploring new places and learning about new cultures and their histories; she also loves to dance and watch sports! Dakasha is inspired by women who share her passion to excel despite prejudice and obstacles. Working for Central Health has given her the opportunity to discover countless new organizations in the community that work to improve the health of people experiencing homelessness.

Emma was born in Mexico and lived in several different cities throughout the country while she was growing up. Emma went to medical school in Guadalajara and has been working for over ten years in the occupational health field, which led her to discover her interest in epidemiology, public health, and preventive medicine. She came to Austin in 2019 with her family and hopes to eventually get a masters degree in Public Health/Epidemiology. A fun fact about Emma is that she likes crocheting and cross stitching! Emma has a strong desire to serve her community and help people understand basic healthcare so they can feel empowered to seek the health services they need. She feels the Community Health Champions program will help her achieve this goal!

Erika grew up in a military family and moved around often growing up, as her father was in the Air Force. She lived in a variety of states, and even South Korea! Erika has known she wanted to work in the mental health field since middle school. She has worked in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, academic psychiatric facilities, substance use treatment facilities, private practices, and most recently, the community health centers. She has enjoyed working in the community clinics because she has the opportunity to meet new people and learn something new every day. A fun fact about Erika is that she used to do recreational roller derby! Erika is passionate about ensuring that her neighbors have access to healthcare no matter what their circumstances. She currently works for CommUnityCare, which is how she discovered the program through Central Health.

Erin was born in California and moved to Austin at a young age. Erin earned her BA in Medical Humanities from Baylor along with a Masters of Education in Health Behavior and Education from University of Texas. She originally planned to attend medical school post undergrad, but she found the program at UT to be a better fit with her strengths and passions. A fun fact about Erin is that she practices archery! Erin is very passionate about health equity, and racial health equity in particular. Erin wanted to be a Community Health Champion so that she could be part of a program that advances health equity.

Gilbert was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and moved to Texas when he was four. After graduating from college in 2007, he moved to Austin. Gilbert is currently in school to obtain a DNP and plans to continue his education to receive certification in family mental health and psychiatry as a nurse practitioner. A fun fact about Gilbert is that he has a fine arts degree in painting! He is inspired by his patients and the challenges they continually overcome including healthcare literacy challenges, social and financial issues, and immigration obstacles. Gilbert is excited to be a part of the Community Health Champions program so that he can help his community usher in new healthcare initiatives to meet and exceed the needs of the most vulnerable populations in the city.

Originally from Queretaro, Mexico, Lupita arrived in Austin just in time to experience both Covid and the snowpocalypse; but despite the challenges, she feels incredibly blessed to be here. Currently a Community Block Leader with Austin Voices for Education and Youth, Lupita aspires to learn more about how she can better help others in her community as a Community Health Champion. Fun fact, Lupita’s son loves Taekwondo and she LOVES watching him!

Hannum was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, but she lived in several different areas along the east coast while growing up. She moved to Austin in March of 2020. She enjoys and is passionate about being involved in her community. In her leisure time Hannum enjoys educating and advocating for members of her community to equip them with life such as resume building, raising their credit scores, and proper business etiquette. Hannum is inspired by Central Health’s desire to fulfill the needs of the community.

Jacundo is a Texas native, but lived in Arizona for much of his life; he moved back to Austin in April to be closer to his partner. Jacundo began working in community engagement and advocacy in 2017. He graduates this coming May with a BS in Public Health. Jacundo was inspired to start advocacy work after being diagnosed with HIV in 2017. He is inspired by individuals who live their truth loudly and unapologetically. He is excited for the Community Health Champions program, as he feels it will give him an opportunity to connect and network with more people!

Janee is originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, IL and was raised in a hardworking household. She has been present in the healthcare field through her studies in college and the internships she completed after graduation. After moving to Austin in 2020 with her two year old son, she began her work with the homeless population in the city. A fun fact about Janee is that she originally wanted to be a stay at home mom, but those plans quickly changed when she discovered her passion for Public Health and decided to pursue her masters! Janee is a supporter of the Medical Assistance Program, which she discovered through Central Health. She has been inspired by this program and wants to explore the possibilities for expanding it in order to help reduce the health disparity within the low-income population.

Jennifer was born in Houston, Texas. She went to college at Rice University and went on to pursue a medical degree at UT Southwestern. She lived in Georgia and New York for several years with her husband before they returned to Texas. A fun fact about Jennifer is that she lived in Taiwan for 6 years! Jennifer is inspired by children and hopes to continue helping them during the developmental years to maximize their potential.

Jennifer is a North Carolina native but was recruited to Austin in 2013 when she was asked to serve on the Texas Community College board of trustees. She earned an Executive Masters of Public Leadership in 2016 and is a recent graduate of the Value Institute of Health at UT where she focuses on patient-centered outcomes. A fun fact about Jennifer is she is an artist and won the SC state fair amateur division in 2007! She is excited for the Community Health Champions program because she hopes to make a difference in the community while also utilizing the experience to gain knowledge in healthcare leadership.

Jessica was born and raised in Austin and her entire family lives here as well. After graduating from college with a marketing degree, Jessica bounced around different career fields until finally landing on business development. She feels engaging the community is where her strength lies. A fun fact about Jessica is that unlike most, she does not have a sweet tooth! Living in Austin for many years and watching the city evolve has inspired Jessica. Her love for the city and her work in healthcare have encouraged her to find ways to become involved and learn about the healthcare programs and resources available to the uninsured population. She looks forward to learning more about the topic through this program.

A Colorado native, Johanna moved to Austin after completing nursing school. Her passion for quality care led her to develop and complete an IRB approved NICU research project, which eventually brought her to DSHS where she aspires to improve neonatal care for patients all throughout the state. Inspired by the notion that we all have the power to make life better for someone each day, Johanna joined the Community Health Champions program to further her advocacy in improving health outcomes for those in our community. Fun fact: She has a twin brother!

A graduate of Southwestern University, Joshua spent a number of years living and studying abroad in Mexico and Ecuador where he worked to improve his fluency in Spanish and learn more about geopolitical causes of migration. Inspired by the incredible resilience and strength demonstrated by oppressed peoples, through his work as a Spanish teacher and professional interpreter Joshua has made his understanding of Spanish a key part of his work. As a local Austinite he joined the Community Health Champions program as part of his goal of partnering with Austin based organizations to build community knowledge and provide better access to resources and care for patients in his community. Fun fact: he rode a bicycle most of the way from Austin to Panama City while taking short videos of community organizing projects along the way.

La Shandraia was raised in a community lacking in many resources, in which her family taught her the value of service and giving back by planting community gardens. Inspired by acts of service, she went on to volunteer in disaster relief, as well as a homeless ministry, where she eventually served as a board member before pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy. She credits her upbringing, education and community engagement as the inspiration behind her career and passion for serving the community. Her desire to achieve health equity led her to become a Community Health Champion. Fun fact: she loves to collect old coins.

A local Austininte, Latrecia was taught the importance of community involvement at an early age by a family that actively volunteers and donates to community programs. Currently a student, she is pursuing an education in Business Science and Human Resources. As a previous client of Central Health, Latrecia knows just how critical these life saving services are for many in the community and wants to do her part in supporting others in getting the resources they need. Fun fact: She loves martial arts and studies Kobudo.

Born in Austin to immigrant parents from Guanajuato, Mexico, Lizbeth grew up learning the value of hard work in the Del Valle fields. Currently pursuing an RN at South University, she believes that her parents came to America with a vision and she is here to accomplish that vision. Continually looking for opportunities to learn and grow, the Community Health Champions program stood out to her as a new experience that can allow her to better support the community. Fun fact: Lizbeth is the first generation in her family to attend a university.

Born in Arlington, Tx to Vietnamese immigrant parents, Lucy sought out a career in Austin due to the love of green spaces and the unique non-profit community. Through non-profit fundraising and volunteer work, Lucy noticed a lack of social service resources supporting Asian, particularly Vietnamese, communities and has since directed her efforts towards supporting those communities in accessing language appropriate services, teaching English, helping with vaccine access, and she facilitated the first Vietnamese voters guide in the Greater Austin area. Helping community members feel empowered in their own health and wellness inspired her to join the Community Health Champions program. Fun fact: Lucy learned how to ride a bike at the age of 20 studying abroad in Italy.

Born and raised in the beautiful City of Mexico, Miriam originally came to Austin to reunite with family. Actively engaged in Austin Voices for Education and Youth as a Community Block Leader, and with the Workers Defense Project, Miriam was inspired to become a Community Health Champion by the potential to make a positive difference within the community each day. Fun fact: When taking pictures with friends Miriam’s hair always manages to get in the way and steal the spotlight.

Originally from the east coast, Nel-Marinel moved to Austin for a change of pace and has been here ever since doing activism and outreach for Trans rights, sex education, community harm reduction outreach, HIV prevention, and women’s healthcare. An accomplished community activist and advocate, including helping to organize the first Philadelphia Trans March, they have utilized their considerable life experiences and education to provide safer, healthier, and more accessible services across the spectrum of healthcare and wellness for LGBTQ communities. They were inspired to become a Community Health Champion by the mission statement of Central Health to provide a platform for communities to actively engage in improving the health of the community. Fun fact: Nel-Marinel used to hula hoop fire and perform aerial skills.

Growing up in east Austin, Reyes fondly remembers attending Dolores Catholic Church and 60’s sock hops at the Montopolis Rec Center with neighborhood friends. That love of community led to a career of over 25+ years of experience in faith based community outreach and healthcare. Utilizing that experience, Reyes strives to not only provide quality healthcare to communities, especially low-income Hispanic communities but to also empower them with the resources they need to thrive. A focus on community engagement and experiencing the bigger picture of healthcare inspired Reyes to become a Community Health Champion. Fun fact: loves to experience funny, heartfelt movies or stories with friends and family.

Growing up in Honduras with only her mother alongside her, life was difficult for Rina. Despite the challenges she faced, she developed a passion for healthcare and worked diligently to obtain a nursing certificate and work in a clinic which she absolutely loved. After moving to Austin for her son to live in his home country, she became a Community Block Leader for Austin Voices for Education & Youth and now seeks to continue supporting those in need as a Community Health Champion. Fun fact: Rina LOVES to exercise!

A local Austinite, Socorro is a Texas State graduate with 7+ years experience working in Austin communities. A passion for community service, and a recommendation from a certain member of the Central Health team whose name definitely isn’t Yesenia, inspired Socorro to become a Community Health Champion and advocate for healthcare equity. Fun fact: Socorro also has a twin!

Seeking an alternative to her native Indiana winters, Stacey moved to Austin where she interned at a refugee resettlement agency which fueled her interest in learning more about cultural diversity and experiences. Further work in immigrant services led her to engage more deeply in healthcare and resource accessibility and address many of the obstacles faced by immigrant populations. The impact of the MAP program for many of those she serves led her to learn more about Central Health and become a Community Health Champion. Fun fact: Stacey loves to dance!

Breaking with deep South Texas tradition, Sylvia decided to strike out on her own and moved to Austin to experience a diversity of cultures and perspectives. Along the way she developed a passion for service and being a part of guiding others towards success. That ideal led her to the Community Health Champions program, furthering her ability to support others in the community. Fun fact: Slyvia used to be friends with a Mexican celebrity (Gloria Trevi) before she had legal troubles.

A lifelong Texan who never strays too far from I-35 no matter where she moves to, a passion for learning about other cultures led Tara to pursue an education in Anthropology and Public Health. Post graduation she has focused on community facing roles within the nonprofit world. Tara was inspired to become a Community Health Champion by a desire to get back to her public health “roots” and learn more about the challenges and strengths the community is experiencing today. Fun fact: Tara loves to travel and has a life goal of visiting Antarctica.

Beginning in a New York suburb and spanning across the country to the Pacific Northwest, after completing an undergraduate degree in Neuropsychology and earning two MFA’s in her true passion of creative writing, Tessa finally escaped the rain and gloom to settle in Austin; though the heat is still a bit of an adjustment. Through a diverse set of volunteer experiences, including pet therapy in nursing homes, writing workshops for people experiencing homelessness, and more, Tessa has continued to explore a growing passion for advocacy and community engagement. This passion, furthered by an MS diagnosis, has inspired a re-evaluation of career paths and led to a pursuit of an MSW and plan to focus on healthcare equity. Fun fact: Tessa publishes writing in magazines and on websites under a pen name and will never tell people what it is!

Growing up in South Korea, Yumi majored in French literature and worked as a French grammar teacher until moving to the US in 2011. She has served as a volunteer in various school-related areas and is currently a member of the Results, an advocacy volunteer group for ending poverty. She is passionate about serving the community as a health worker bridging the gap between medical and social institutions for residents who have been underserved due to language and cultural barriers, and strives to learn more about improving access to quality care as a Community Health Champion. Fun fact: Yumi wants to be a modern dancer if there’s a next life for her.