African American Health Coalition

Before I started working at this organization the position I interviewed for was ideal. If I landed the position, I would be working for an organization that was doing its best to tackle the issue of health disparities in the Black community. It wasn’t until after I was hired that I realized I had made a mistake by accepting the job offer. This was the worst work environment I have ever been in. My supervisor was a negative, condescending, border line abusive woman. Taking ownership of your actions was her favorite mantra, yet I never saw her take responsibility for her deeds. The director of this organization isn’t any better, I went to her for help and she only backed up her one and only employee. What I didn’t realize at the time was that there was/​is high employee turnover. I can honestly see why. If you don’t treat your employees well, then you can’t expect them to be loyal to you or your cause; no matter how noble that cause maybe.
I’m sad to say that I was only employed here for three weeks (which felt more like a lifetime). And I strongly caution anybody who is considering to work with, or align themselves with this organization; to pay heed too my review as well as Andrea’s before getting involved.

This organization is such a great idea. And the goals are great goals — to have a healthier black community in Oregon. I moved to Portland to work for these folks, with dreams of doing good, and a new life in Oregon. So I became an Americorps Vista at the AAHC. The pay — negligable at best. But I figured it didn’t matter since I was in it for the experience and to do good work.
Vistas are paid through the federal govt, and work at non-​profits throughout the country. We are free labor for the non-​profits, and there is very little involvement from Americorps when it comes to checking out the non-​profits. So long as your grant application is filled out correctly and handed in on time, I imagine.
The woman who runs this place is one of the nastiest, most self-​serving people I’ve ever met. She actively discouraged us from working together so as never to empower us as employees or a team. Young black women had come to work here to get the benefit of her experience, and she actively discouraged their growth. I was no spring chicken by the time I arrived here, and had worked at many jobs and industries. But I smelled quickly upon my start here that there was something very disfunctional going on.
She had her favorites — and for them she would be generous, helping them out of jams and such. But when I emailed the group as a whole — to celebrate a fellow employee’s re-​upping as a vista (this girl was particularly sensitive and sweet and she had aspergers), I got in trouble. I had overstepped my bounds — only she could be the good guy. Are we not all adults?
I had been warned by an Americorps Vista before me — who had left because of a hostile work environment. In time, I left because of a hostile work environment. Many months later, I learned that a 3^rd employee left for the same reasons, and finally the director had been stripped of her Amercorps priviledges (she had a total of 8 Vistas, 5 in this location).True story and thank goodness.
Sadly, I fear the organization is doomed to failure because of the callousness of its leader. There is no room for growth or teamwork or comraderie here, and I see less and less of their brochures and information out and about. Perhaps someone will take up the fight who has the requisite love in their heart to do some good!

I recently got to attend the Annual Wellness Village at the Blazer’s Boys & Girls club near Killingsworth & MLK as a volunteer. This was sponsored by the AAHC and has been held for the past 15 years.
There were lots of great health services there: cholesterol screening, blood sugar screening, a place to check your blood pressure. They also had lots of local companies providing free services. New seasons was there with some free (healthy) snacks. There was a local massage business that was giving away free massages.
All the staff there were really friendly. It was great to see a group that was so motivated and giving back to the community.