Honoring The Work of MCAW
Since 2021, the Multicultural Community Advisory Workforce, known as MCAW, has played an important role in supporting community health across Southwest Washington. The cohort, brought together local leaders, cultural brokers, and partner organizations who share a commitment to improving access to care. Their work helped lift community voices, strengthen relationships, and guide solutions that reflect the lived experiences of our region.
MCAW began as part of a federal HRSA grant that focused on improving equity in access to services. The early years of the project built a strong foundation of culturally responsive engagement and highlighted the value of community leadership in shaping health systems. Over time, SWACH continued to braid additional funding sources to support MCAW, which allowed the cohort to grow and serve the region for several years beyond the original project period.
The members of the MCAW cohort contributed in many meaningful ways. They supported outreach and education in their communities. They helped identify barriers to care and brought forward solutions rooted in cultural knowledge and lived experience.
One cohort member reflected on the deep connection at the heart of MCAW’s work. Ruby Sparks, Community-Based Worker with Youth and Family Link, shared:
“I have been honored to serve as a community-based worker with the MCAW team for five years… working closely with the Vietnamese community and other communities.”
In her role, Ruby supported outreach, education, navigation, and culturally rooted wellness activities. She emphasized the joy these efforts brought to community members:
“One of the highlights of my work has been bringing joy and wellness to our community through laughter yoga sessions, teaching dance for health and happiness… These activities have helped build trust and connections with community members.”
Another cohort member shared how meaningful the MCAW community has been over the years. Phung Ojala reflected:
“I joined MCAW since 2020 and it was always a great opportunity to be a partner with SWACH during the years. SWACH is a home we come for meetings, sharing the work to each other.”
Phung also spoke to the relationships and shared learning MCAW made possible:
“I joined monthly cohort meetings to learn about other partners out there in the local who have good resources for the community. I have great connections and relationships with many folks and could not do better without the support from SWACH.”
We want to recognize the partners who invested their time, their knowledge, and their lived experience in this work. MCAW demonstrated what is possible when communities lead and organizations come together to support shared goals.
Another MCAW partner spoke to the strength and resilience of the team. Corie Dow-Kramer, Executive Director at Youth and Family Link, shared:
“Working with the MCAW team over the past five years has been an incredible experience… Their passion has continually inspired me.”
She also highlighted the unique way the cohort came together:
“There was truly something special — almost magical — about the way they worked together.”
We want to express our deep appreciation for the MCAW cohort and the many partners who have walked alongside this work. It’s been a privilege to support this group over the years and to learn from the leadership, cultural knowledge, and community wisdom they bring. MCAW demonstrated what is possible when communities lead and organizations come together with shared purpose.
As we look ahead, we also want to share an important update. Due to a changing funding landscape and the conclusion of the federal resources that originally supported this work, SWACH will be sunsetting MCAW at the close of 2025. We want to be transparent that the program is ending and will not continue into the next year. While the project is closing, the values, relationships, and lessons created through MCAW will continue to shape how we approach equity and community partnership moving forward.
We want to extend our gratitude to every cohort member, partner, and community leader who contributed to MCAW. Thank you for your dedication, your insights, and your commitment to improving health in Southwest Washington.