The Value of a Community Based Workforce
Community Health Worker Awareness Week is here! From August 25-29, 2025, we’re joining communities nationwide to celebrate the people who make health care more accessible, equitable, and human.
Imagine walking into a doctor’s office or community center and being greeted by someone who speaks the same language as you, understands your culture, and can help you navigate resources without judgment. That’s the power of having a community based workforce.
Community-Based Workers (CBWs), including Community Health Workers (CHWs), Peer Navigators, Outreach Specialists, Promotores de Salud, and many more who serve in similar community-centered roles, do so much more than provide services. They are connectors, educators, and trusted messengers who bridge the gap between systems and the people they serve. Their work is rooted in relationships, ensuring care reaches those who need it most.
Trust That Opens Doors
Community Based Workers often live in the same neighborhoods, speak the same languages, and understand the culture of the people they support. This trusting relationship enables CHWs to serve as a link between health and social care and the community they serve, facilitating access to services and improving the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.
Meeting People Where They Are
Whether it’s a home visit, a neighborhood event, or a conversation at the grocery store, these workers meet people in their everyday environments. This flexibility makes it easier to connect with individuals who might otherwise slip through the cracks of traditional service systems.
Breaking Down Barriers
From helping fill out complicated forms to translating medical jargon, Community Based Workers are skilled at reducing the barriers that prevent people from accessing care.
Driving Better Outcomes
Research consistently shows that outcomes improve when communities have access to trusted local workers. People attend more health appointments, follow care plans, and connect with social resources.
Investing in the Future
As we celebrate Community Health Worker Awareness Week, it’s clear that the value of a community based workforce goes far beyond services delivered. CHWs and other community based workers are the trusted voices, the connectors, and the guides who make care accessible, equitable, and human. This week, and every week, let’s honor their dedication, share their stories, and continue investing in the people who strengthen our communities from the inside out.