The Knoxville Area Urban League will be able to hire 20 community health navigators after being awarded funding with five other National Urban League affiliates to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities. Other affiliates that received funds are in Houston, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and St. Louis, Missouri.
The Knoxville affiliate, which will receive $1.4 million from the National Urban League, will hire, train and support the health navigators, who will conduct outreach and engagement activities in the community and assist residents in getting vaccinated and boosted.
“The National Urban League recognizes our organization as a change-making affiliate and is equipping us with the resources to protect our community and increase acceptance of the effectiveness of vaccinations and get ‘shots in the arms,’ ” said Phyllis Y. Nichols, president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League. “The addition of community health navigators will allow us to continue caring for our citizens, so that we can make significant progress to end this pandemic.”
To apply for the opportunity to be a community health navigator, call 865-524-5511 or email CHN@thekaul.org.
The National Urban League received $11.125 million from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to fund the initiative.
“One lesson we’ve learned through the COVID-19 pandemic is that trusted voices within communities, such as our affiliate presidents and CEOs, are the best way to overcome vaccine hesitancy, combat misinformation and connect people with health care providers,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “With the support of the HRSA, our affiliates can expand their reach by hiring a local Community Health Navigator workforce to help keep our communities informed, safe and healthy.”
The National Urban League is one of multiple community-based organizations that received a combined $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding to increase vaccine access for the hardest-hit and most vulnerable communities.
For more information on the Knoxville Area Urban League and its programs, call 865-524-5511 or visit thekaul.org.
