Erica Hamlett is the Violence Prevention Coordinator for McElderry ParkSafe Streets in her hometown of Baltimore, Md. As a Certified Community Health Worker and advocate she dedicates herself to whatever her community needs. Advocating for police reform, family substance abuse treatment, better medical care for those in lower class and black and brown communities, fair affordable housing and working to change community norms against violence. She is a peer (a person or individual with share life experiences) of those she serves. In some instances she may be able to relate which gives her a greater understanding and an eagerness to assist with resolutions, finding resources or through advocacy. She says she was born into this work as a CHW and how it translates to her is activism, advocacy, resource, mentor, violence prevention, care provider and more. In the future her goals are to lobby for bills on the states and congressional level. For reforms around family substance abuse treatment and support for children of those struggling with addiction/recovery. Create community programs that teach financial literacy, business, finances, art, homeownership, health and wellness. She enjoys writing traveling cooking music and making memories with her family. Community work is not work it’s always been my passion and what she loves.
Connect with her:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mahoganybutterfli/
McElderry ParkSafe Streets:
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-prevention-of-youth-violence/field_reports/Safe_Streets.html
Follow The CHW Crew @thechwcrew, subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Support the show