Community Of Hearts Mental Health Vista Education Advocate

The Mental Health Vista Education Advocate will strengthen Community of Hearts’ capacity to deliver mental health and emotional wellness education to ALICE and low-income populations in Kent County. This project supports breaking the cycle of poverty by increasing access to stress reduction knowledge, emotional regulation skills, and mental health awareness, which are linked to stronger employment readiness, family stability, and long-term wellbeing. The VISTA member will redevelop and update a Mental Health Advocate training program that volunteers will be able to teach in multiple settings. The training will focus on social emotional learning, stress management, communication strategies, and wellbeing skills that participants can apply in daily life. The curriculum will be adaptable for individuals returning from incarceration, people in workforce programs, health department clients receiving WIC and SNAP, military families, veterans, seniors, unemployed and underemployed individuals, and other marginalized groups. The member will also build capacity by preparing course materials to be shared with community partners for translation into additional languages, increasing accessibility for diverse populations. This project will leave behind sustainable curriculum, outreach tools, and community relationships that support mental health access long after the VISTA term ends