Meeting People Where They Are: How We Tailor Education to Community Needs

At Advance, we believe that meaningful health education begins by meeting people where they are, not just physically, but emotionally, culturally, and socially. Our programs are built with this philosophy at the core: tailoring content and delivery to match the real-life circumstances of the communities we serve

We work closely with underserved populations in Maricopa County, where the gaps in health access are deep and persistent. According to the 2023 Coordinated Community Health Needs Assessment, about 1 in 5 children under 18 were living in poverty between 2017 and 2021. During that same period, 10.9% of residents had no health insurance, a rate higher than the national average. Among noncitizens in particular, the numbers are even more staggering, with more than 1 in 3 uninsured as of 2021. 

These statistics reflect what we see every day: people struggling not because they don’t care about their health, but because they lack the means, support, and access to act on it. In fact, 11.5% of Maricopa residents reported not being able to afford needed healthcare, and over 63% were less likely to have seen a dentist or dental specialist in 2020. Even basic nutrition is a challenge, only 3.6% of adults reported consuming at least five servings of fruit per day. 

In response to these realities, our programs focus on helping participants make the most of what they can control: eating healthy on a budget, staying active with limited time and space, self-monitoring for diabetes and hypertension, understanding medications, and managing stress and mental health. We build these lessons into practical, culturally relevant content that speaks directly to the needs and limitations of our communities. 

Just as we’ve adapted our health education programs over time, we’ve continued shaping them to reflect the unique needs of different populations. Our journey began in 2001 with Oral Health. In 2006, we launched Pláticas de Salud, offering one-time presentations on a variety of health topics. Two years later, in 2008, we introduced Salud con Sabor Latino, a culturally grounded nutrition program for adults. 

As we continued listening and learning, we developed a children’s nutrition program in 2012, followed by a curriculum tailored for older adults. Then, in 2018, we partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago to bring the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) to our communities. 

All of our programs are available in both English and Spanish, and more importantly, are led by educators who understand not just the health topics, but also the cultural and social realities our participants face. Each educator focuses on a specific group and works to build trust and connection. These aren’t one-time classes, they’re relationships. Our participants know they can come to us with questions or concerns long after a program ends. That’s what it means to meet people where they are, not just showing up, but staying connected. 

But we also know that information alone isn’t enough. Understanding what a balanced plate looks like doesn’t help if there’s no food on the table. That’s why we’ve expanded our programs to include food support aligned with our education. Through initiatives like our monthly food boxes, we provide ingredients that match the lessons taught, healthy, affordable staples that support long-term change. 

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we began delivering grocery bags to seniors who could no longer safely visit the store. As we followed up, we learned that some couldn’t stand long enough to cook or didn’t know what to prepare. So, we adapted again. That’s when we launched Stove to Table, a program that delivers freshly cooked, nutritious meals directly to senior housing facilities. It’s a clear example of what it means to meet people where they are, removing barriers and offering solutions they can actually use. 

As coverage gaps grow and cost becomes an even greater barrier, we remain committed to making health education more accessible, more human, and more effective. Because no matter where someone is starting from, they deserve the chance to take charge of their health, and someone walking beside them as they do. 

Looking ahead, we will continue evolving with our community, finding new ways to support their health journeys with compassion, creativity, and care.  

This is the first post in our new Monthly Staff Blog Series, featuring stories and insights from our team at Advance Community, inspired by the work they do every day.

This month’s blog was written by Valeria Lopez, Health & Wellness Program Manager.
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