Since childhood, Teresa Pagan has worked to help others toward better lives.
The Puerto Rico native and newly certified Community Health Worker (CHW) now serves at the Community Health Worker Coordinator for the LCCAA Lorain County Pathways HUB (LCPHUB).
“Since I was a child, when I did something for someone else, I felt good about myself,” Pagan said. “I love my job. We do a lot for them but we make them self-sufficient.”
The LCPHUB is a free program seeking to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of at-risk moms and infants. The HUB links women with trusted and caring CHWs with the goals of reducing infant mortality rates by assisting women throughout their pregnancies and up to their child’s first birthday.
After moving to Lorain County in 1972, Pagan learned English in less than a year while taking care of her siblings. Setting and achieving goals continued when she started attending Lorain County Community College, earning an associate’s degree in business administration and demonstrating resilience and perseverance to her children.
As a single mother, she found Head Start and became very involved while all five of her children attended. It was her son’s teacher who encouraged her to apply for a job with the program. She tried to treat the students like her own children.
“I looked at all those kids,” she said. “I tried to guide, love and treat them the best way I could.”
Pagan began working at LCCAA as an assistant teacher in 2007. She shifted into home visitor as education requirements changed. After 12 years, she became a Community Health Worker based at the Lorain County Urban League.
As a CHW, she worked with 11 women in various stages of pregnancy and early motherhood. She continues to help some clients while she works to fill her old position. She continues to work with local connections to guide clients and help them find the resources they need.
“I’m so proud of them. They know if they need anything I’m a phone call away,” she said. “We are with them every step of the way through their pregnancy.”
Her streak of setting and meeting ambitious goals continued as she completed her CHW certification in only six weeks at Cleveland Community College. The program normally takes up to six months.
Pagan now coordinates nine CHWs who are working with more than 300 mothers and babies. She and HUB Director Melissa Carroll work to keep clients and CHWs alike up to date on the latest research and development in maternal and infant care. They provide regular training and a variety of resources CHWs can pass along to their clients.
“I never stop learning,” Pagan said. “I’m learning so much from Melissa and we’re learning a lot together.”
The LCPHUB is a free service for the entire county. Learn more and make a referral for yourself or someone else by clicking here.
