by Chester Mark and Joseph Okitkun
Community Health Aides have been the foundation of health care in the Delta for decades. They are some of the most valuable resources in the village. Over the last five years, a vital community program has been supporting Community Health Aides in their times of need. The program, the Community Health Aide (CHA) Emergency Fund, provides financial support to both current and former health aides facing a personal or family emergency.
The Fund provides grants to Community Health Aides who have worked in the YK Delta for a minimum of two years and are facing an urgent or emergency situation. Current and former Health Aides are eligible for two awards every five years.
Emergency Fund committee member, Katherine Evon, states, “Health aides help and care so much for our region. This Fund is one way to help them in their time of need.”
Marsha Smith, another active member, says of the Fund committee, “Our role is to review applications that are submitted and decide as a committee if the applicant is going to be granted funds.”
The Fund committee spent the last five years screening and reviewing over 200 applications from Health Aides to determine their eligibility for financial help. Last year, a village-based “member” was added to the committee to assist in screening the increased-numbers of applications; committee newcomers Shara Davis of Kipnuk, and Linda Davis of Mekoryuk, both share this one position.
The Bethel Community Services Foundation (BCSF) maintains all donations to the Fund, which was created by former Health Aide Instructor, Chester Mark, in 2018. Once an application for financial aid is approved by the Fund committee, BCSF staff also plays the critical role in disbursing funds in a timely manner to health aides with emergencies.
On March 14, during the week of Cama-i Festival, Fund committee members and BCSF staff came together at the boardroom of YKHC to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the program’s success. The celebration included a luncheon where Chester Mark honored Fund committee members, Joseph Okitkun, Carla Suskuk, Katherine Evon, and Marsha Smith, with certificates of appreciation for their five years of service with the Emergency Fund. These committee members have extensive experience working as Community Health Aides and working with fellow Community Health Aides throughout the YK Delta.
“These four individuals were there in 2018 when we first talked about how we can best support our Health Aides. They have participated in the Fund since DAY ONE! We really appreciate their longstanding service to the Health Aide community,” states Mark.
In the five years of the program’s existence, the CHA Emergency Fund has given out 180 individual grants to over 140 health aides, for a total of over $95,000! This sum underscores the profound impact of the Fund and the Fund’s unwavering commitment to the Health Aide community in times of need.
Smith says, “One health aide had a house fire and lost everything while away from home. Luckily, nobody got hurt. This fund was available to help him get back the necessities that he and his family needed.”
Evon adds, “I know of many who have applied because they needed assistance with burial costs, getting families to and from locations. The fund alleviates some of the burden of cost for funerals. The Emergency Fund is basically there to help when health aides have few other options!”
According to a recent survey of applications, about one third of Emergency Funds helped Health Aides with funeral expenses, another third helped with medical-related costs and transportation, and the final third helped with emergency-related fuel, food, and/or utility needs.
“I love how this fund is available for current and former health aides. These health aides have sacrificed a lot to serve their community … and sometimes they need the help as well,” states Smith.
“Health Aides are the heroes of the Delta. At times, there is little recognition of their longstanding service, especially those Health Aides with decades of service who have moved on from the job. It is a priority to use this Fund to help honor these former Health Aides,” adds Mark, who retired in 2019 after 25 years of service in Community Health Aide Training.
The future of the Emergency Fund looks promising. It will continue to award 40 grants each year. Additionally, a Permanent Fund, or Endowed Fund, has been established at BCSF that will eventually fund future individual awards.
Michelle DeWitt, executive director of BCSF, attended the recent five year anniversary luncheon with her staff. She says “dozens of messages appear (on my phone) from recipients sharing their gratitude for the relief this emergency financial award means to them. This fund is not Bethel-centric. Its impact is truly regional, with recipients spread throughout the YK Delta!”
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Help celebrate the CHA Emergency Fund’s five-year anniversary and the incredible support it continues to provide to Community Health Aides and their families. Make a donation to the CHA Emergency Fund at the Bethel Community Services Foundation, PO Box 2189, Bethel, AK 99559, or DONATE at bcsfoundation.org, click Donate, choose “Community Health Aide Emergency Fund” as the designation.
For Health Aides wishing to apply for assistance, visit the BCSF website, BCSFoundation.org, where you can complete an online application for financial assistance; at the web site, go to the tab labeled “Grant Applications,” then select, “Community Health Aide Emergency Fund Grant Application.”
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