Faith Coalition: Finding community through helping the marginalized

I have always wondered — can an individual from the East Coast find her “tribe” in Springfield’s community; the answer is yes!

I was raised in a single-parent household located in an urban, lower socioeconomic community in Rochester, New York. Most of my marginalized community experienced the impact of poverty, violence, social inequities, substance abuse, and healthcare mistrust. Chronic illnesses were prevalent in my family; therefore I became exposed to the medical field as an adolescent. I had the first-hand experience of minoritized populations being made medically and economically vulnerable due to systemic injustices, and I knew that I wanted to make a difference.

As a first generational college student, I finished my undergraduate at the University of Rochester and moved to the Midwest to pursue my love for medicine. My life experiences, increased exposure to medicine, and dedication to improving social determinants of health led me to become a healthcare professional.

My name is Barra Madden, and I am now a fourth-year medical student at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine aspiring to be a psychiatrist. Throughout my medical school journey, I gained an appreciation for psychiatry and actively sought opportunities to work with and create initiatives for minority communities that would promote mental health. It is important to increase awareness, promote advocacy, and change legislative policy regarding mental health conditions, services, and treatments – especially in the Black and brown community.

I believe that a physician's role in their society offers a unique perspective on the intersection between individual health needs and systemic policy, and it is the responsibility of health care providers to advocate for systems to meet individual and community needs. I aspire to be the physician that bridges the gap between healthcare and marginalized communities that would further contribute to better health advocacy, treatment, and overall wellbeing.

Since moving to Springfield I have immersed myself in the community via service, hosting healthcare fairs, conducting town-hall meetings, and volunteering with multiple organizations for Covid-19 relief. It is no secret that the pandemic has had disproportionate negative impacts on socially disadvantaged and underserved populations across the world including Sangamon County.

When I received information about becoming a health ambassador for Faith Coalition to promote vaccinations in our community, I eagerly accepted the opportunity. The Faith Coalition for the Common Good is a nonprofit organization that promotes racial and economic equality, civic engagement, and educational justice for the surrounding area by engaging faith and community organizations.

I had an amazing experience as a health ambassador. The privilege to engage with members of the community in one-to-one conversations has granted me a deeper understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on their personal, social, and financial lives.

It was no surprise that many members of the community voiced a change in their mental health state since the start of the pandemic. They reported anxiety, depression, and just overall fears of spreading Covid-19 to their loved ones. I had the honor as a future physician to not only listen to their stories but provide education to help individuals combat the barriers to vaccination. At the ethical epicenter of it all, I was most inspired by the power of conversation and education that influenced members of the community to get vaccinated.  

Moving forward, my colleague Felicia O. and I hosted a free ZUMBA event partnered with Faith Coalition to not only promote healthy lifestyles but provide a safe space for education regarding Covid-19. We are looking to give back to our minority communities by hosting more events in the future to promote health literacy and a feeling of community in times when most people are socially distanced.

For more information about the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, fccg2208@gmail.com or 217-544-2297.