The YMCA Community Health Strategies team follows the Community Health Worker (CHW) Model. YMCA Community Health Workers are passionate and trusted members of their communities, and serve as a trusted community advocate and frontline grassroots public health liaison who empowers individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, and social support with a culturally competent lens. The Y model hires, trains, and empowers lay leaders who are a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served and identifies with the social, economic and health challenges of the community served. This relationship is key to ensuring equity for all aspects of the Community Health Strategies scope of work. 

HEALTH NAVIGATION
HEALTH EMPOWERMENT
YOUTH PROGRAMS
EMPLOYMENT NAVIGATION
COMMUNITY HEALTH & MORE
OUR HOSPITAL PARTNERS

B.I.R.D CAMPAIGN Breaking Inequalities & Racial Disparities

Soaring Above What Holds Us Back DID YOU KNOW?… Join the Village Of Allapattah YMCA as we recognize the Racial and Ethnic Inequalities within Broward County and Miami-Dade County during the month of April. Learn the facts on why minority populations (Black, Latinx, Asian) have historically received disadvantages in health, finances, and life resources. Learn how you can create change for yourself and your family. Learn about programs and resources The Y offers year-round. Enter our B.I.R.D. raffle during the month of April for a chance to win 1 of 3 amazing gift baskets! Visit the Village of Allapattah YMCA Family Center to enter the raffle.

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Community Health Strategies Directors

Community Health Strategies Directors oversee and manage CHWs, Program Planning and Community Engagements

• Emilia Solano, District Executive Director
• Kaydean Brown, Associate Executive Director
• Shamile Louis, Director of Health Navigation
• Whitney Wolfgang, Director of Community Health
• Marketa Knight, Healthy Living Director
• Rick Ward, Director of Community Health and Hospital Partnerships
• Allyssa Gonzalez, Membership and Community Outreach Director
• Sandra Delgado, Communications and Reporting Manager
• Sharon Hughes, Family Services Program Director
• Jonai Perry, Community Outreach Program Director

CHW Staff

Staff that deliver services to the communities we serve directly on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting.

• Aysha Abdullah, Community Health Worker
• Angela Bartholomew, Community Health Worker
• Emerode Barthelemy, Community Health Worker
• Victoria Bennett, Community Health Worker
• Mary Brown-Russell, Community Health Worker
• Evelyn Chacin, Community Health Worker
• Orlando De La Mota, Community Health Worker
• Dominique Duval, Community Health Worker
• Deanne Edman, Community Health Worker
• Maria Grady, Community Health Worker
• Evelyn Grooms, Community Health Worker
• Aimee Guzman, Community Health Worker
• Mattie Hanna, Community Health Worker
• Michelle Johnson, Community Health Worker
• Marlene Lewis, Community Health Worker
• Dorothy Mote-Thomas, Community Health Worker
• Ana Lucia Ortega, Community Health Worker
• Aaron Pierre, Community Health Worker
• Salmon Raja, Community Health Worker
• Paola Sarda, Community Health Worker
• Anthony Young, Community Health Worker

CHW TRAININGS

• Motivational Interviewing

• CDSMP/DSMP/MOB

• HIPPA

• Advocacy

• Adult and Child Mental Health FIRST AID

• Racial Equity

• Health Equity

 COMMUNITY HEALTH STRATEGIES 

Services provided in BROWARD and MIAMI DADE COUNTIES in English, Spanish, and Kreyol 

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ALLAPATTAH
HOTLINE
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YMCA HEALTH NAVIGATION 

 THE Y BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY 

WHAT CAN THIS PROGRAM DO FOR YOU

The YMCA Health Navigation Program (YHN) provides one-on-one assistance. The Community Health Worker (CHWs) team offers guidance and community resources for individuals who want to become a better self-manager of their health and life.

A Compass
To A Better You 

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PHOTO GALLERY

Participant Testimonials

Ms. C said, “Thank you for the food. I wasn’t expecting it. It was a blessing. God is so good. I want to say, thank you so, so much.” 

Ms. E. ‘I would like to thank the YMCA of South Florida for the contribution towards rental assistance relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a tremendous help for me and my family, so in say that I would like to thank the entire staff they did a phenomenal job in supporting families during this pandemic’. 

‘I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the YMCA Financial Assistance Program for paying my entire FPL bill’. 

‘I would like to thank the YMCA for providing my family with food!’ 

‘I would like to thank the YMCA Program for paying for my medications.’ 

CONTACT:
Email:[email protected]
YMCA Hotline: 754.312.4250
Español: 954.826.2444
Kreyol: 954.826.8122

HEALTH EMPOWERMENT

WHAT CAN THIS PROGRAM DO FOR YOU

The Health Empowerment workshops include Chronic Disease and Diabetes Self-Management six weeks long (1x week) evidence-based program geared towards managing your chronic conditions. Matter of Balance is a fall prevention workshop for those with balance concerns and fear of falling. Our Senior and Active Older Adult Special Events offer fun, social connections, and mental and health improvement activities.

HEALTH EMPOWERMENT
WORKSHOPS

Ready to gain the knowledge and tools to improve your health? Click here for a full list of upcoming Diabetes Self-Management, Living Healthy and Matter of Balance workshops in English, Spanish and Creole.

HEALTH EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIAL

“I love it, I just love it. This is what we need in our community!” “It has been a blessing, and would gladly attend any workshops provided at the Humana site”. “The workshop makes me feel like I am living for something”

COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY EXERCISE CLASSES

Virtual and in-person group fitness classes held throughout the community. Click here for list of current locations.

‘I would like to thank the YMCA Program for paying for my medications.’ 

Community Exercise Classes

Participant Testimonials

“These programs are very informative. They keep me abreast of things I can do to better improve my health. It taught me things I can do on my own, like how to use a cane. The MOB workshop taught me how to make my home safe.” “I like the YMCA coming to us, please don’t stop.”

‘I would like to thank the YMCA Program for paying for my medications.’ 

CONTACT:
Email:[email protected]
YMCA Hotline: 754.312.4250
Español: 954.826.2444
Kreyol: 954.826.8122

ACTIVE OLDER ADULT SPECIAL EVENTS

Ready to become a more active, involved individual in your community? Join us for special events targeted to your social, mental and overall health. Click here for monthly events. 

ACTIVE OLDER ADULT PROGRAM PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIAL

“We take these programs so many times because it gets me out of my apartment, I get to see my friends, chat and relax, workout, and a I learn something new each time”.
“I get to sit down, relax, and I don’t have to spend money, and I get to see my friends!”
“The program has allowed me to demonstrate and reaffirm who I am” 

YMCA EMPLOYMENT NAVIGATION

WHAT CAN THIS PROGRAM DO FOR YOU

The Employment Navigation Program will help in obtaining meaningful training and career enhancement experiences for greater employment opportunities. You will work one-on-one with an Employment Navigation team member to acquire the resources and tools needed for your individual needs.

NAVIGATE TO A
SUCCESSFULL CAREER

Participant Testimonials

“I have found myself again because of the Y and all of the programs, the exercise, the food distributions, and the CHW who keeps me accountable for all of my goals to help me lose weight and improve my diabetes management. I just can’t thank you all enough!”

CONTACT:
E: [email protected]
P:754.312.4250 

 

WHAT CAN THIS PROGRAM DO FOR YOU

I wanted to thank the YMCA to let you guys know I appreciate everything you all did for me and my kids by helping me pay my light bill and water bill. I want to send a special thank you to Ms. Marlene for taking the time out for helping me with my case, I know Ms. Whitney was helping me but you did the job. I thank you so very much.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH INCLUDES: 

VOTER REGISTRATION

FOCUS GROUPS

NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

SWAT ANALYSIS

PHONE BANKING

P.E.A.R.L.S.

YMCA BLOOD PRESSURE SELF MONITORING PROGRAM

SURVEYS

YOUTH PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MORE!

Participant Testimonials

• “You guys change lives, I’ve been lucky! I was so happy when I went for my second physical, and my numbers were so much better! I know I am in good hands.” – Ms. Evelin

• “This program has helped me make the choice to cook healthier options and try different things, such as a kale burger.”

• “I am so happy with the knee braces my CHW gave me; it fits well and allows me to do my workouts! I can do 15 minutes at a time now, when I couldn’t do any before.”

• “Honey, I am so happy with that food pantry, it has me gaining weight in all the right places. My blood pressure has gone down, and my doctor said since my last visit, I do not have to see her ‘til December! And it’s all thanks to you Ms.Mary!”

• “I didn’t realize that it could be this bad if I took all my medications at the same time. It could be why I was not feeling well. Jennifer, thank you for showing me how to organize them in the pillbox so I can take them on time and correctly.”

HEALTH FAIRS

FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

HIV EDUCATION AND TESTING

FALL PREVENTION

FINANCIAL LITERACY

ART THERAPY

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS

SMOKING CESSATION

COVID-19 EDUCATION/OUTREACH

COVID-19 TESTING

COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/RELIEF

COVID-19 VACCINATION

OUR PARTNERS

Thank you to our sponsors:

Broward College

Broward Sheriff’s Office: Law Enforcement Trust Funds

Cigna Foundation

Health Foundation of South Florida

Humana

Infinite Scholars

Peacock Foundation

Price Waterhouse Cooper

Simply HealthCare

Truist

Verizon

WellCare

Community Supporting Organizations

211 Broward

Aunt Bertha

Broward County Parks and Recreation

Dania Beach PATCH

Light of the World Clinic

Mama Lucy’s Pizzeria

Poverello

Sarpino’s Pizzeria