ABOUT AMY ELKINS

Amy was raised in the small farming community of Moss Hill, Lenoir County, NC. She worked summers in crops like blueberry and tobacco alongside migrant and seasonal farmworker friends from school. She was a member of Poder Juvenil Campesino (Farmworker Youth Power), and a co-founder of NC FIELD. Obtaining her CNA and Phlebotomy certifications in 2018 and Later working for an allied organization as the Farmworker mobile clinic manager in Harnett county for NC Farmworkers Project. She was recruited by Yesenia Cuello to expand the capacity of the Sembrando Salud (Sowing Health) program in early 2020 as its Coordinator. Through resource allocation support, community advocacy, and implementation strategies, both worked to expand the team from contracted assistance to five full-time staff, with an emphasis on state CHW certification and other training for Community Health Workers. Additionally, they worked to formalize advocacy from three rural Catholic churches, Campbell University, WalMart pharmacists as volunteers, Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, and other partnerships to increase the number of agricultural community workers and families served with equitable access to health and related resources. Amy is a NC state certified Community Health Worker and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Public Health and Human Services through Western Governors University. Her professional journey is deeply inspired by her mother and Janeth Tapia, both of whom instilled in her a commitment to service, advocacy, and community empowerment. Amy's work is not only a reflection of her dedication to social justice but also her belief that every individual deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their background.