Center for Community Health Transformation Programs & Partnerships

Programs & Partnerships

The key to the Center for Community Health Transformation's success is building strong relationships within the Clarkston community. It is the partners who set the agenda and select goals. The center provides the tools of social action to help guide the community's health transformation.

Programs

Community Leadership Development
Transformation for Health workshops have been held for a number of groups in Clarkston including agency caseworkers, women, youth and other community members. In addition, in July 2001, a Transformation for Health "Train the Trainer" workshop prepared eight women from different ethnic groups to train in this area. These women are leaders who initiate the process of empowerment for women in their respective communities.

Small Grants Program
After receiving Transformation for Health training, participants listen for issues in their communities that generate strong feelings and then facilitate discussions about solutions. During 2001 and 2002 small grants were awarded for the following initiatives:

  • English as a second language classes for
  • Somali women
  • Driving education for Afghani women
  • Health, computer and sewing classes for
    African refugee women
  • A girl-to-girl mentoring program for African girls

Additional participants are being mentored on projects that speak for their communities

Photovoice
During 2001 and 2002, Clarkston students underwent the Transformation for Health training where they identified pollution, education, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse as key health issues. They used photojournalism techniques to tell their story and help others understand their perspective. The students presented their results to community stakeholders, including the chief executive officer of DeKalb County, county department heads, the DeKalb County Board of Health, business owners and others. As a result of the 2001 project that identified poor drainage and dangerous sewer openings as major community problems, DeKalb County's Public Works Department increased the frequency of its technical inspections of these sites.

Soccer
An active soccer program brings people together and provides exercise and recreation. A renovated field became a community meeting place.

Housing Bill
In 1998, focus groups identified substandard housing as a major issue in Clarkston. Individuals were afraid to complain to landlords for fear of being evicted. An anti-retaliation law was drafted by the Clarkston Health Collaborative, predecessor of the center, and introduced in the state legislature by Representative Gloria Butler (D-55).

 

Partnerships

Clarkston Community Center
The Clarkston Community Center is a focal point of transformation activities to foster community relationships. It is a place of socialization and networking, hosting events such as health fairs and cultural programs. The community center is also a site for meetings, education, recreation, the arts and entertainment. The Center for Community Health Transformation provides the Clarkston Community center's executive Director as part of a special two year assignment. Since 2000, the Clarkston Community Center has raised $975,000 for general operations and renovating the building and a nearby soccer field.

Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University
Students involved in Transformation for Health workshops have organized a special studies course to teach the process within their school's formal curriculum. Students are working with agencies to use the methodology in Clarkston and surrounding areas.

Senior Connections
The Atlanta Regional Commission has contracted with Senior Connections, DeKalb County's lead agency for senior services, to operate a one-of-a-kind, multicultural senior center to serve the various refugee groups in Clarkston. This program at the Clarkston Community Center provides meals and socialization opportunities for elderly refugees, serving a different senior refugee group each weekday.