Roshelle Czar

Rochelle entered Catalyst Circles with a strong foundation in advocacy and community work, including experience at the State Capitol. She knew she wanted to become a Community Health Worker and wanted to better understand how her passion for justice, advocacy, and serving communities could translate into meaningful CHW practice.

Throughout Catalyst Circles, Rochelle began to see how the experience and strengths she already carried could be applied more intentionally within community health. The program challenged her to move beyond identifying problems and consider the relationships, resources, systems, and strategies needed to create meaningful change.

She strengthened her confidence in her voice while learning to communicate and advocate more strategically, understanding when to speak, who needs to be involved, what information is needed, and how to move conversations toward solutions.

Catalyst Circles helped Rochelle develop a broader understanding of the Community Health Worker role. She came to see CHW practice as more than connecting individuals to resources, it can include building trusted relationships, creating safe and supportive spaces, navigating systems, strengthening community connections, advocating for community needs, and contributing to solutions that address barriers affecting health and well being.

The program also helped her connect her existing advocacy experience with practical CHW skills, giving her a clearer understanding of how communication, relationship building, systems awareness, problem solving, and community centered approaches work together in CHW practice.

Since joining Catalyst Circles, Rochelle has continued pursuing ideas and projects centered on community health, advocacy, and creating opportunities for others. She has taken concrete steps toward developing her ideas, including pursuing funding opportunities, while continuing to strengthen her leadership and community centered approach.

She describes this growth as moving from simply recognizing community challenges to thinking more intentionally about what she can contribute, develop, and help create alongside the communities she serves.

Rochelle is excited to continue developing community centered ideas, pursuing funding opportunities, and exploring projects that support community health and empowerment. She leaves Catalyst Circles with greater confidence in her communication and planning skills, a stronger understanding of CHW practice, and a clearer sense of how she can use advocacy, relationships, and strategic thinking to contribute to meaningful community solutions.