A new community health worker, Terri Kelly, has joined the Rangeley Health and Wellness team.

The role and responsibilities of a community health worker are multifaceted. They are frontline public health workers who have a close understanding of the communities they serve. Primarily, they bridge the gap by connecting individuals to healthcare and government resources. They can improve the overall well-being of those they work with by assisting with access to health providers, medication safety, and assisting with social needs, such as transportation and food insecurity.

Kelly, who grew up in Lisbon Falls, has a background as a behavioral mental health professional in Androscoggin County.

“I worked in education for about a decade, working with kids that have behavioral challenges,” she explained.

Kelly did not start off planning to work in the health field. She graduated from Keene State College with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.

“I wanted to be a political journalist,” she said.

In fact, she worked in the field for several years before switching careers. The change came following experiences with those close to her that made her realize the importance of mental health care, she said.

Kelly views a community health worker as a person who makes a connection between people who are in need of services and access to those services.

“It is really important to shed light on the unseen population in Rangeley; those who might not have access to the resources that we know about and have access to. It can be due to transportation restrictions, mental health restrictions, or whatever stands in the way,” she said.

Moving to Rangeley has been a goal for a while, she said.

“We love the area and the people. We built a house here in 2017 with the goal of moving up full-time. Now, it has become a reality. Rangeley is a special place and we feel fortunate to be here,” Kelly said.

She enjoys hiking, loves dogs, and also works at Rangeley Friends of the Arts Lakeside Theater doing “whatever is needed.”

Hannah Schwartz, who will be stepping out of the role of community health worker, said the position is broad and workers act as liaisons to a variety of resources.

“Even if we can’t provide direct help, we can direct individuals to appropriate resources or assistance,” Schwartz explained.

Schwartz has shifted to a role of overseeing a multiyear Health and Human Services Administration Rural Northern Border Region Outreach Program grant awarded to Rangeley Health and Wellness in September 2024. The purpose of the grant is to promote the delivery of health care services to rural underserved populations in the rural Northern Border Regional Commission regions.

Schwartz said as a community health worker, she assisted individuals with everything from food assistance to finding help with housekeeping. It is a position that is rewarding but not free of challenges.

“Helping individuals achieve independence can be difficult. It requires the person to actively participate and put in effort,” she said.

Kelly began working July 29. In addition to being available at Rangeley Health and Wellness, she will have walk-in hours at the Stratton-Eustis Community Center on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon, weather permitting.

To reach Kelly, call (207) 864-4397 or send an email to [email protected].

“This is about bridging the gap and helping to bring those in the shadow into the light,” Kelly said. “There is always an unseen population, no matter how beautiful a community is.”