Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erika Chavarria. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Erika, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
I named my organization Columbia Community Care because of my belief (borrowed from many North American and global Native/Indigenous cultures) that if one person in our community is unwell, we are all unwell. Moreover, how well our children and young people are, is a reflection of the overall health and wellness of the whole community. This is why self-care is critical. We must invest in ourselves in order to give of ourselves to others and to our community. Self-care is also a form of resistance. Oppressive powers want Black, brown, Indigenous, and people of color to be unwell, sick, tired, and unable to rise up for justice. Self-care is critical in order to fight for liberation and justice. With that said, it is still a struggle to focus on self-care especially with the daily grind of career and personal life responsibilities. I can’t say that I do self-care well everyday or even every week, but I at least attempt to be self aware and name it out loud when I am not doing self-care well. I have been better at dedicating blocks of time for myself every day to do things that allow me to breathe and be at peace. I run, exercise, burn sage and set intentions. But, I believe that the highest form of self-care for me is being my sister/friends who love me unconditionally and have my back. Laughter, joy, and time spent with them is the best form of self-care and allows me to continue to press on in my life, career, and challenging times.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about your organization?
In February and March of 2020, rumblings of a deadly virus, a possible pandemic, and potential school closings began to dominate conversations. The excitement of a school closing quickly turned to fear when my students and their family members began losing their jobs due to closures, grocery stores began to see masses of people emptying the shelves, and our world as we knew it began to crash down in front of our eyes. As a teacher who prioritized building relationships with my students and their families and as a teacher who lived in my school community, I already knew the hardships and struggles that my students and their families faced on a daily basis. I soon realized that the struggles they faced were about to be exacerbated by the loss of jobs, the potential loss of school meals, or the unavailability of groceries. So on March 11th, 2020, I posted the following on FB: “If they close HCPSS (Howard County Public School System), I volunteer to run meals to students and families who are in need, or help in locations where food will be offered. Who is with me?” About 40 people responded affirmatively. On March 14th, I created the Columbia Community Care Facebook group. With schools now closed, it was time to move into action. Columbia Community Care (CCC) began with a small group of volunteers who began soliciting and gathering donations and determining which schools around the county had the most students coming to pick up lunches. A small group of volunteers (with Meg Feroli at the forefront) began gathering donations and determining which schools around the county had the most students coming to pick up lunches. They decided on five schools throughout Howard County, Maryland with the highest need as the initial food and essential supplies distribution sites. CCC continued putting out the call for donations and soon had a healthy steady stream of donations. Residents in need of food and supplies arrived to the sites by the hundreds. CCC has always been intentional about removing barriers to access. CCC never required identification or proof of need. The sites were located within walking distance for many families. We determined early on that a home delivery service was necessary in order to serve families who didn’t have transportation. Two churches, Bethel Presbyterian Church and New Hope Adventist Church offered to house our delivery pantries at their churches while they were shut down during the pandemic. Their own church members along with hundreds of community members volunteered each day to stock the pantry, do inventory, and guide volunteer shoppers through the process of gathering items to supply delivery orders for the families in need. CCC also partnered early on with numerous Black and Brown owned restaurants in Howard County of diverse cuisine. CCC was able to support local businesses during a very rough time in the midst of the pandemic, while also providing hot, healthy, and culturally diverse meals to CCC families waiting in line at the distribution sites. CCC also partnered with local farms to provide fresh produce for both sites and delivery pantries and connected with dozens of local organizations and businesses who did fundraisers to collect donations and funds for CCC.
Over the last four years CCC has developed a ten person volunteer leadership team, and has hundreds of volunteers monthly including dozens of community organizations, dozens of community partners, and thousands of consistent donors. CCC has served hundreds of thousands of residents of Howard County and have completed over 17,000 home deliveries of full grocery orders for those who lack transportation or otherwise cannot get to the in-person sites. CCC’ currently operates at three in person distribution sites on Saturdays from 10am-12pm. CCC runs its delivery pantry at the Columbia Flier Building in Columbia, Maryland. We also have expanded our programming to include youth and community programs. We recently went through a rebranding and redesigned our logo, mission and vision. The mission of Columbia Community Care is to create authentic connections and community partnerships. We listen, and respond by providing resources and programs, while respecting the inherent dignity of every person. CCC envisions a community that is healing centered, self-determined, collectively powerful, and economically independent through partnerships and collaboration.
Most excitingly, we recently won a bid to purchase and redevelop an iconic building in Columbia, Maryland. Now, more than ever, our young people and their families are voicing the desire for safe and inclusive spaces with access to an abundance of resources, programs and services. The transformation of the Columbia Flier building into a multipurpose space called The Source, will boast a bold, new, and modern design while memorializing and honoring the iconic building. Finally, our young people, like the brilliant scholars who have joined us today from Homewood will have a place to call theirs, where they can be free to show up as their authentic selves without judgment. CCC’s community programs and youth programs, will finally have a place to grow and prosper. In the Columbia Community Care Peace & Justice Center area of The Source, community members of all ages will have the opportunity to access our programs, enhance their passions and talents, enjoy some much needed quiet reflective time in a rejuvenating peace room, volunteer with the entire family at CCC’s food pantry, or gather in our meeting rooms, lounges, game rooms, and communal areas. The Source will also house a large gymnasium. urgent care and mental health care facilities, dual immersion bilingual daycare, a large event space, and a food hall. That is the vision of The Source. That is the welcoming space that truly addresses the needs of our beautiful community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back I believe that my students taught me more than I ever taught them. They taught me about the value of self-reflection, patience, love, care, and self-determination. My students were my inspiration for founding my organization. The knowledge and skills I learned as a teacher have guided me through my journey as an Executive Director of an organization that serves the community. Most important to me are staying grounded in our collective morals and values, always centering the needs of the community, and always centering the voices of those most impacted by injustice.
The best advice I have for those who are early in their journey is, always take the time to self-reflect. Don’t be afraid to own mistakes, we learn from mistakes. Keep your energy and focus on your mission and goals, don’t allow the set-backs to destroy you. When doors close, know that it was for a reason. The right doors will open. Always prioritize self-care. You are no good to anyone else, if you aren’t well. Surround yourself with those who want you to win and who have your back and best interests at heart.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I always stop, take a breath, and reset. I try to organize a to-do list and make sure that my home and office are physically organized. I find that when my physical surroundings are chaotic, so is everything else. I also lean on my soul family when I am overwhelmed, and I try to delegate tasks, which can be difficult but worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://columbiacommunitycare.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbiacommunitycare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807588256400584/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbia-community-care/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColumbiaCommunityCare-zr7yp
