Building Community, Engaging Authentically

December 5, 2024 - In partnership with We are Pilas, Harris County Public Health, Houston Haitians United, and Suviv Network, Roldyne Dolcé MPH, CHES®, presented the health assessment project at Impact Houston. ​This event focuses on a critical theme: learning before acting. Through a case study of Houston’s Haitian community, we will delve into a methodology that emphasizes understanding community-specific resilience factors, cultural strengths, and health priorities. By listening and learning from the community’s unique needs, we can create sustainable improvements in areas like economic opportunity, environmental resilience, and nutrition.

Neglecting community assessments can lead to significant harm as shown historically through the experiences of Nestle, Ford, Shell, and the projects below-

Water Supply Systems (Ethiopia)

Approximately 33 percent of rural water supply projects became non-functional due to inadequate community involvement in maintenance and decision-making.

Housing Projects (Egypt)

Government-led slum clearance initiatives often failed because they did not consider residents’ needs, resulting in abandoned housing developments.

This presentation aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

By learning before acting, we can avoid harm and create meaningful, lasting change!