Partner Communities

CE partners with local leaders that seek to transform their communities so that all have access to quality services, public health education, and healthy living conditions. Together, we build a self-sustaining health care system, from prevention to intervention, that meets their unique needs.

Model for sustainability

Engage community

Develop specialized healthcare and community-based initiatives

Identify community needs

Create a profitable clean water business

Provide primary medical care

Partner with Ministry of Health

duquesa

Status: ACTIVE

Duquesa, Dominican Republic, is home to mostly undocumented Haitian immigrants and one of the largest garbage dumps in the country. With no pathway to citizenship, the residents earn a living by picking through the garbage to sell to local recycling businesses. The community lacks access to basic medical care except in the case of emergency or labor and delivery. CE is partnering with a local organization that is already entrenched in the community to meet our development goals.

current focal points

Conduct a needs assessment to identify sanitation challenges and develop public interventions, such as latrines

Train local community health workers to provide health education

Provide primary care for 5,000 patients

Villa Verde

Status: ACTIVE

Located in the northern outskirts of Santo Domingo, Villa Verde began as a displaced community formed by urban overflow. It lacks a centralized health clinic, sanitation system and consistent electricity. CE works in partnership with Movimiento Comunitario Unido por Villa Verde (MCU), a non-profit formed by the community to assist in development.

View the Community Health Survey

current focal points

Transition the water business operations to the community

Complete the transition of the clinic to be fully operated by MCU and SNS

Healthy living programs that target public health needs like flood prevention through partnerships with RISE and Engineers Without Borders

Jerusalem

Status: ACTIVE

Situated in a desert outside of Port-au-Prince, Jerusalem, Haiti, emerged as a temporary tent community for those left homeless by the 2010 earthquake. In 2013, the government declared it a permanent community. Over 1M people now reside in the greater Canaan area, of which Jerusalem is a sub-community. However, a lack of resources and infrastructure remain. Jobs are rare, clean water is sparse, and many people go days without food.

View the Community Health Survey

Important note:

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague in Haiti, Dr. Fiquita St. Paul. Fiquita was a beloved member of our CE family and was instrumental in helping CE establish primary care services in Haiti, as well as developing programs surrounding women’s health. It was because of her bravery and resilience that we have managed to keep primary care available amidst increased violence and instability these past two years. As we mourn our friend and colleague, we will also assess next steps for the program. Learn about how we’re keeping her legacy alive.

current focal points

Implement telehealth consultation services for local providers to have access to consult specialties providers at Rush University Medical Center

Increase the number of medical supply shipments so new and returning patients can have their needs met

Continue to provide care to new and returning patients alongside Polyclinique Science Nouvelle (PSN) amidst the country’s instability

Peralta

Status: SELF-SUSTAINING

Peralta was CE’s first partner community in the Dominican Republic. Located in the mountains, Peralta is home to over 20,000 people. CE worked with community leaders to develop a local healthcare clinic and create our model of sustainability. In 2018, the clinic was registered with the Ministry of Health (SNS), providing funding for staff and medication. A community-led board oversees the clinic and water distribution operations. CE retains an advisory role, while also introducing specialty care initiatives based on emerging needs.

Accomplishments

The SNS hired a local physician, healthcare providers, and security officer

The staff sees patients daily and provides services ranging from health education to vaccines and medical consultations

A community-led board oversees the potable water business, which provides an income-generating stream for the local distributors and the clinic facility