By Alison Garza, CHW-Certified Client Navigator at Michelle’s Place
Cancer isn’t just a disease. It is a life-changing journey that can turn your world upside down in an instant. It often brings fear, uncertainty, and questions that can feel overwhelming. I know, because I have lived it. That is why I do what I do today. At Michelle’s Place, we believe no one should face cancer alone. As a Community Health Worker, I am proud to live that belief every day, bridging compassion and care as part of our community, for our community, and with our community.
A Community Health Worker, or CHW, is a trusted member of the community who is trained to connect people to services, offer basic health education, and walk with them through life’s challenges. More than anything, we are neighbors. We understand the needs, culture, and struggles of the people we serve. I often say, “We are from the community and work for the community’s well-being,” because that is exactly what it feels like.
We are not doctors or nurses, no white coats to be found, but we bring another kind of expertise. We focus on the social factors that can make all the difference in a person’s ability to heal. Things like safe housing, healthy food, reliable transportation, emotional support, and a clear understanding of medical information. These may not come up in a medical exam, but they matter deeply to recovery.
Why I Became a CHW
My path started long before I knew the title existed. As a cancer survivor, I wanted to help others in a meaningful way. I knew empathy was important, but I also needed skills and tools to make a real difference. That is why I became certified through the Loma Linda University Community Health Workers / Promotores Academy. Their program gave me the knowledge to identify barriers to care, provide health education, and guide people through complex systems. That training, combined with my own journey, allows me to meet clients where they are because I have been there too.
The Power of Partnerships
The CHW program at Michelle’s Place exists because of the belief and support of our partners. Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) was one of the first to stand behind the idea, helping us launch early when few organizations had CHWs in place. With ongoing support from IEHP and Loma Linda University Health, we trained all of our Patient Navigators to be CHW-certified. This means every client at Michelle’s Place has a navigator who sees the whole picture of their life, not just the medical details.
“The Promotores Program at Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College is designed to equip Community Health Workers with the training, mentorship, and hands-on experience they need to serve their communities effectively. By providing both professional skills and practical tools, we prepare CHWs to bridge gaps in care, address social and health needs, and walk alongside people with compassion and confidence.”
— Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College, Promotores Program
What CHWs Do
No two days are alike, but our goal is always the same. We help remove the barriers that stand between someone and the care they need. It often begins with a conversation. We ask questions like:
• Do you have transportation to your appointments?
• Do you have enough food at home this week?
• Do you feel safe where you live?
• Would you like someone to talk to?
The answers help us find real solutions. That might mean arranging rides, connecting people with a food pantry, explaining medical terms in plain language, helping with childcare, or simply listening. We also work to support clients beyond the immediate crisis, giving them tools and resources to move forward and thrive.
Why It Matters
The challenges that affect health go far beyond hospital walls. Income, housing, transportation, and social connections can open the door to healing or quietly stand in the way. At Michelle’s Place, we address both medical and social needs side by side. It is whole-person care for the mind, body, and spirit.
A Calling, Not Just a Job
For me, being a CHW is more than a career. It is a calling. I am here for the good news, the tears, and the small victories along the way. My role is to say, “We will figure this out together.”
We may not hold medical degrees, but we hold something just as valuable. The trust of our community. We bridge the gap between medical care and the rest of life, because both matter when it comes to healing. Our role defined, is bridging compassion and care, for our community.
If you or someone you love is facing cancer, you are not alone. Visit our Get Support Now page, call 951-699-5455, or stop by our Temecula center.
