KS Community Health Worker Coalition

Alma is a Lead CHW with the Wyandotte Health Department and Community Health Council of Kansas City, Kansas.  Alma was born in Juarez, Mexico and immigrated to the United States in 1996 with little more than a suitcase of clothes and her daughter.  After years of hard work, Alma became a naturalized citizen in 2000.   From her own personal struggle Alma understands the problems immigrants experience every day and how to overcome them. 

After receiving her certificate as a Community Health Worker, Alma has received over 20 certificates from a dozen agencies in all areas of Community Health.  Alma is always looking for additional training to better serve the community.  Alma would like to see CHW education and standards result in consistent, quality CHWs throughout the state.

Alma started her own 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Mision Alcance, Inc., to train other agencies, community centers and clinics in the basics of CHW work.  Alma has trained over 50 volunteers and CHWs to date and has assisted people and agencies in six countries.

Alma was recognized by the bilingual newspaper Dos Mundos during Women’s History Month for her outstanding work in the Latino community.  Alma hosts a weekly radio show called La Entrivista (“The Interview”), where local agencies share their services, educating the community about the programs and services in their area. La Entrivista has quickly become one of the most popular Latino radio shows in the Latino community.

Alma has enjoyed seeing thousands of people over past 15 years become self-sufficient in a more healthy community.