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August 3, 2023
Introducing the Community Health Program
At Rahab’s Sisters we understand that the social, emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health of a person is interconnected. We consider the whole of the person and understand that a one size fits all approach cannot facilitate wellbeing. Therefore, our new in-house Community Health Program (CHP) will offer trauma informed, evidence based, and holistic approaches to health.
The CHP is a direct response to Guests' requests for expanded assistance navigating complex health, housing, and social needs. Through the CHP Guests will have access to continuous and low barrier support for navigating complex needs that are impacting their social, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Our initial offerings will include: in-house mental health support; assistance navigating outside resources, including housing and state benefits; and fostering mutual-aid and participatory action among Guests. That last element is shaped by trauma-informed care principles, which stresses the importance of centering the voices of marginalized populations. Like all of Rahab’s Sisters programming, iteration and adjustment based on Guest feedback and community needs are built-in.
We are thrilled to announce our Community Health Manager, Alexandrea Wilson, and our Community Health Specialist, Eris Egan, who are bringing this exciting set of offerings to life!
Alexandrea (she/her) identifies as an abolitionist whose approach to creating access to wellness is rooted in intersectionality and anti racism. Previous to joining Rahab’s Sisters, Alex earned her masters degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Alex’s previous work includes program development, community outreach, qualitative analysis and evaluation for projects addressing insecurity in basic needs such as housing and food. Most recently, she managed a reparations inspired guaranteed income program.
Alexandrea believes in uplifting the lived experience of individuals who have experienced racism, poverty and other forms of social inequality as an essential source of knowledge toward eradicating harmful systems.
Alex is most excited about creating a trauma informed, evidence based community health program that is informed by Guest, expanding resource navigation services and creating community partnerships that support holistic health programming.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys going on long mindfulness walks and listening to Youtube video essays or insightful podcasts. Most recently Alex enjoyed listening to Amanda Seals Small Doses podcast ep about an investigation on Police Gangs in New Jersey.
Eris (she/her) started her work with Rahab’s Sisters as an intern in Fall 2022 as part of her Masters degree in Social Work from Portland State University. Upon completion of her internship, Eris accepted a position at Rahab’s as a Community Health Specialist. This role will support the Community Health Program Manager in developing, implementing, and evaluating this new program. Eris is excited to integrate a trauma informed approach in this work, which includes centering Guests’ voices and expertise on their lived experiences.
Eris will begin her final year of school in the Fall with an advanced placement internship at Multnomah County’s Behavioral Health Division, on the Exceptional Needs Care Coordination team. Her professional background includes direct care at supportive housing and residential treatment mental health programs, as well as two years as a facility assistant administrator. Eris also has a part time nanny position caring for a two year old boy who she adores.
In her limited free time Eris enjoys thrifting and cross stitching, and would like to learn other textile arts like crocheting and weaving. Currently, Eris is reading the newest book of the Hunger Games series, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
