“A Voice to Uplift Other People”: A Case Study of Integrating Organizing Methods in an FQHC-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative in Latinx Communities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of trauma for working-class communities who have experienced trauma from systemic inequity and racism. Early pandemic response efforts failed to reach the most vulnerable Latinx communities in the United States due to historic disinvestment in these communities. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) were uniquely positioned to respond to the pandemic through testing and vaccine implementation because of their footprint in these communities. However, to advance equitable COVID-19 recovery and long-term, trauma-informed community resilience, FQHCs need to expand their role beyond immediate response through testing and vaccine deployment. Applying Freirean principles of liberation to an integrated model for crisis recovery and community resilience-building, this article presents a case study of the implementation of a COVID-19 vaccine outreach and education initiative at AltaMed Health Services, one of the largest FQHCs in the United States. Findings suggest that leveraging organizing and empowerment strategies to implement COVID-19 vaccine distribution in working-class communities contributes to pathways for community health and well-being, infrastructure for crisis response and recovery, equitable service and information delivery ecosystems, and engaged and empowered communities. Lessons from this study can provide a blueprint for integrating strategies for long-term community resilience, capacity-building, and empowerment in crisis response and community harm mitigation initiatives. Findings from this study also present a model for enhancing the role of FQHCs to facilitate community organizing and engagement for health equity.