Listening to Those Rejecting the Vaccine – Special Session, Mon. Sep. 27, 6:30PM
An online conversation to hear concerns about vaccine acceptance from Savannah area citizens who are not vaccinated.
Healthy Savannah and YMCA of Coastal Georgia will hold a special virtual “Listening Session” on Monday, Sep. 27 to hear from those who are not accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. This effort, along with an initiative to train 65 community advocates beginning in October, is part of a focus on COVID-19 vaccine education, awareness and acceptance, particularly in Savannah’s Black and Hispanic communities.
Funded by a supplemental grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the program is intended to broaden the initiatives of the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant.
The online listening session will provide a “safe space” platform for those who are not accepting the vaccine to voice their thoughts, concerns and questions. The event is scheduled for 6:30PM Mon. Sept. 27. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to elsie@healthysavannah.org. A link will be sent to those who RSVP.
Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia team members are also hoping this virtual listening session, along with three held earlier in the summer, will help identify potential community advocates. Neighborhood leaders, church leaders and community organizers are encouraged to apply.
Virtual training sessions for the advocate program will begin October 2 with the ultimate goal of creating community-acceptable approaches for improving vaccination availability, accessibility, and confidence. Utilizing their background, experiences, interests and skillsets, the advocates will be trained to speak to and learn from the community by meeting with community and faith-based organizations as well as local business owners.
In addition to the $500 they’ll receive for completing the program, the advocates will have the opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills, learn about health advocacy, and add to their resumes.
Training in small groups of about 10 each will get underway beginning Oct. 2 with the ultimate goal of creating community-acceptable approaches for improving vaccination availability, accessibility, and confidence.
To register for the Sep. 27 listening and info session, apply to become a community advocate or learn more, please visit https://healthysavannah.org/community-advocate-program/ or email elsei@healthysavannah.org.
