CENTER FOR HEALTH EMPOWERMENT IN SOUTH TEXAS

During this fiscal year, CHEST invested in essential organizational development to establish the leadership structures, financial systems, and operational infrastructure needed to responsibly scale and sustain community-based health programs. Programs designed to improve health outcomes and contribute to measurable gains in life expectancy across the South, West, and East of San Antonio and surrounding areas.Major accomplishments included: Hiring the organizations first President & CEO to lead strategic planning, partnerships, and program design Establishing administrative offices and operational systems Developing CHESTs mission, vision, and strategic framework centered on reducing health disparities Launching the organizations website, branding, and public communications platforms Creating governance structures and strengthening board engagement Initiating partnerships with local health providers, community organizations, and stakeholders Conducting community engagement and planning discussions to identify priority health needs and service gaps These activities built the operational and strategic foundation required for implementation of preventive health access initiatives, community wellness programming, and health interventions in the following fiscal year. Although CHEST was in its initial capacity-building phase during this reporting period, the president & ceo engaged community stakeholders and partners in preparation for direct program implementation through approximately 100+ meetings, activities, and events in her first several months.