Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Mendoza.
Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started 2008; I still remember Hurricane Ike. We stayed home through the storm. I was a Senior in High School at the time in denial of being pregnant. When we finally returned to school, it was obvious, and a lot of people judged me and looked at me differently. My main priority was to walk that stage at the end and get my Diploma, and that’s exactly what I did. I missed out on a lot of senior activities, prom, last day of school, etc. I delivered my daughter Jordynn Hawkins May 4th, 2009, and there was still about a month left of school. Thanks to Mrs. Phillips for coming to me and bringing me my schoolwork to assure that I graduated with my class. Two months after having my baby, I lost her father to Epilepsy. Here I am, this 18-year-old with a two-month-old, and the only thing that I knew was that I needed a job to provide for her. I was blessed to have my parents help, they never turned their back on me, and I know that’s something a lot of teen parents can’t say. That didn’t mean that things were going to be handed to me. I applied to any job that I thought I could do; I was initially a cashier at Food-Rite in La Marque, TX from the age of 15 when Ike caused them to have to close down and it took them years to reopen. Not to mention, trying to get a job as a teen with a big ole belly, nobody would hire me. I had to wait until I had her, once I had her in about two months, I was working for a Valero gas station in Pelican Island in Galveston. A year later, I started working at University Apartments in Galveston, TX. I worked at the apartments for about 5 years until one day our maintenance guy and my friend came in and told me about working at Galveston County Health District, he told me how his wife had started working there and that they were hiring. I applied for two jobs, fast forward a week and I received a call. I started working as the Medical Unit Receptionist at Coastal Health & Wellness Clinic in Texas City. I started April 2015, and even though I loved it, and my supervisor, I wanted something more. That’s when I applied for the Patient Care Community Health Worker position in 2019. Oh man, that was a whole other ball game for me. I loved it, but then COVID hit and the majority of what I did which was going out into my community stopped. I started doing monitoring calls and reports, until Sept of 2021 when I started my training with Dia de la Mujer Latina while still working. I completed 160 hours of training and learned the eight core competencies of community health workers, including communication skills, interpersonal skills, service coordination, capacity building, advocacy, teaching, organizational skills, and knowledge based on specific health issues. Honestly, I already knew a lot of it from experience, but I also learned a lot. I love to help people in any way that I possible can. Once COVID sort of died down a little bit I made a jump to the public health side of GCHD. April of 2022, I started my new position as the Community Health Worker of not just Coastal Health & Wellness but of the entire district. I now go out into my community and promote the Health District in its entirety. I’ve been able to spread my wings and have had successful events for the community with the help of my supervisor Brittany and the team. So many people don’t know we existed and all the wonderful services that we offer, but I believe that knowledge is power. I can truly and honestly say that I love my job and what I do. That’s pretty much how I got where I am, with people who believed in me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing worth having is going to be a smooth road. I’ve been through more than people really know. So, never judge a book by its cover. Just know that you can do it, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Promotora de Salud/Community Health Worker. I go out into my community and promote the health district and all the services that we offer. Connect the community to health care access through our FQHC Coastal Health & Wellness which provides medical, dental, and counseling services whether you have insurance or not. I also have done health/resource fairs for the community and invited other agencies to participate to give as many resources as possible to the community in need. I don’t forget about our seniors; every month, we visit with them and provide health screenings. If needed, we refer them to their provider or our clinic. I also visit with the kiddos and promote Health Eating Active Living. We believe that starting at a young age helps them follow a healthier lifestyle that will prevent lifelong diseases like diabetes, hypertension, etc. I’m proud anytime I can help anyone. No matter how small or big. I think what sets me apart from others is the fact that I live in the community that I serve. I’ve seen a lot of things and I’ve learned a lot as well. I don’t just pick certain people and help them; I help everyone I possible can. I don’t think I ever clock out from being a Community Health Worker.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Oh geez! My memory isn’t the best, but my kids, family, boyfriend, and best friend. Mrs. Phillips played a big role on me being able to graduate. From there Kathleen who helped me enroll into college back when I was working at University Apartments. Emily Bailey, who was a counselor that I would help with translation during her sessions with patients. (This is something I didn’t mention earlier, but this was a huge eye-opener and also why I like do advocate for people. You truly don’t know what someone is going through.) Martha who helped me with getting my certification would pull me into her office and give encouraging words. Brittany, who always believes in me and my crazy ideas, she always gives me that little nudge I need to be confident in what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gchd.org
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mendoza-b4453b264
