Washtenaw County Community Health Advocate Program

Our Community Health Advocate (CHA) program is up and running in Ypsilanti! In September, we partnered with numerous community agencies to provide training to 12 CHA’s. The CHA’s are community members who come from a variety of backgrounds, including a city councilman, several employees from local social service providers, a former non-profit administrator, a college student, a community activist and a mother of school-age children. The trainings covered healthy food access, health literacy, and government-sponsored insurance.

One of our CHA’s agreed to be interviewed for this blog. Cynthia Freter is a long-time Washtenaw County resident. Mrs. Freter is a 51 year-old community activist who has children who are currently in high school. Her background includes working at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital as a nurse assistant. She also was the director of Second Baptist’s church day care center.


1. How did you find out about the CHA project?



“From Anne Brown, (the Ypsilanti liaison for State Rep. David Rutledge). She thought that it would be a good way for me to get involved in a community project. I also saw the CHA flyer at Hope Clinic.”

2. It’s obvious that you’re interested in working with the community; how did you get involved in community-based work?



“I was always taught to give back to the community. I started advocating when my children attended Head Start in Washtenaw County. This also helped me learn more about what was going on in the community.”

3. How have your personal experiences helped prepare you for this work?



“My Interest and love of people and their well being (Mental Health and Physical Health). I just really love to help!”

4. Were you familiar with the term “Social Determinants” prior to becoming involved in this project?



“Yes, I have heard the word before. I am more familiar with the social determinants after being part of the Health Equity/Social Justice workshops earlier this month”

5. What are you most excited about re: your participation in this project?



“Getting started and helping the people in the community. I think that this program can we can really make a difference in the lives of people who live on the south side.” (Gateway Community)

I was very pleased that Mrs. Freter volunteered to take part in the CHA program. She brings passion, dedication and concern for the community to this project. It is our aim to provide updates about this project that include the challenges/successes that our CHAs experience as they work with Gateway residents.

The CHAs will have regular hours at a Ypsilanti community center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 pm – 4 pm.


For more information about our CHA program please contact Charles Wilson at (734)544-2981 or by email at wilsonc@ewashtenaw.org

Posted in: health advocates,Washtenaw County Public Health