'Connection is the solution': Unite WI adding 200 community health worker positions in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A nonprofit organization that helps connect resources to residents in need is celebrating a big expansion to their programs.

Unite WI coordinates community health workers (CHW) to people at risk.

CHWs serve as liaisons between the community and health and social services, ensuring people have access to resources they need.

"It's about making sure that communities can be sustained, that they can be well and healthy," said Unite WI's executive director, Bria Grant.

Unite WI announced Tuesday, they will be adding 200 additional CHWs, creating a full team of 700 in Milwaukee.

The focus is to proactively curb the rise in violence by meeting people where they are to help them lead a better lifestyle.

"If we are able to increase the number of community health workers that are properly trained and equipped to be deployed into the community to serve those in need, then we can have a significant dent in the violence that's happening in our community," Grant said.

Community health workers can connect people to help for domestic violence, mental and physical health, housing, food, family planning, jobs and more.

"All of us CHWs that do the work do it because we want to make a difference in the community. We do it because we want to help. We want to see the community grow," said CHW Grisel Delgado. "We have built bridges with most, if not all of the agencies that provide resources in the community. So, we want to be able to be that person to build that connection."

Unite WI kicked off the recruitment announcement with a documentary screening behind Milwaukee's Bradley Symphony Center.

The short film showcased how community health workers have actively changed lives.

"The best part is just seeing the change in the families, just leaving them in a better place than where you found them when you first met them," Delgado said.

According to Unite WI, there are 1,500 community health workers across the state.

Adding 200 more in Milwaukee will open up the potential to help more than 50,000 people.