During a Native-focused event at the recent NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI), participants were quick to point out that if you’ve seen one tribe, you’ve seen exactly that: one tribe out of the diverse, 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. Their communities are diverse, too.

For Adeshia Session, it starts with a phone call. But it's more than that, says the community health worker at Beyond Housing in St. Louis, Missouri. "It's about making a connection." Session, who has been in her post for three years, reaches out to residents with Type 2 diabetes. The clients she gets are often referrals from a local, partnering hospital. "In that first phone call, I explain what I do. And how our program can help." From that phone call, a relationship is born.

At this time of year, as individuals across the country contemplate the things they're grateful for, many NeighborWorks network organization do what they do year round: They help residents get what they need. That includes providing access to food. Some organizations help by setting up food pantries. Others connect residents to pantries at partnering organization. 

Thousands of turkeys

At this time of year, as individuals across the country contemplate the things they're grateful for, many NeighborWorks network organization do what they do year round: They help residents get what they need. That includes providing access to food. Some organizations help by setting up food pantries. Others connect residents to pantries at partnering organization. 

Thousands of turkeys

A cohort of a dozen NeighborWorks network organizations is assessing the benefits of community health workers. Since September of 2021, the organizations have learned from one another, all while innovating and exploring the way community health workers fit in with their community and their goals. 

A cohort of a dozen NeighborWorks network organizations is assessing the benefits of community health workers. Since September of 2021, the organizations have learned from one another, all while innovating and exploring the way community health workers fit in with their community and their goals. 

In Missouri, a NeighborWorks network organization partners with a school district to improve educational outcomes for youth. Another network organization in California preserves cultural assets while combatting gentrification and displacement. In Ohio, they're collaborating with the healthcare sector to improve social determinants of health. 
 

The majority of NeighborWorks network organizations have initiatives that address the interconnection between affordable homes and healthier living. Some of these projects include food pantries, exercise classes and community gardens. Programs like these are important, but there are also opportunities to have an even greater impact on a community's health by partnering with health industry organizations, according to Romi Hall, NeighborWorks America's director of healthy homes and communities.