Working Together to Pay It Forward

BCM’s Congregational Wellness conducts ministries in the Greater New Orleans area by training church members – both registered nurses and lay people – to implement wellness ministries within the congregations and communities they serve. One of the biggest threats to the health and wellness of our community has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Congregational Wellness leaders have been working hard to combat the challenges that church members continue to face during this crisis. Take a look at all we’ve been doing.

Operation Clean Hands

Jamilah Muhammed, Faith Community Nurse at Christian Unity Baptist Church, received a large donation of hand sanitizer in November 2020. She kindly chose to pay it forward and sent 36 gallons to BCM’s Congregational Wellness team. BCM then paid it forward by distributing the hand sanitizer to 25 network churches for use in their wellness ministries.

Masks and Testing

In partnership with the City of New Orleans, New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP), and Hanes Apparel, BCM received 9,000 masks, which were distributed to 121 churches across Greater New Orleans. As COVID-19 cases have started to rise, BCM continues to distribute masks to residents who need them. In addition, four BCM network church partners have served as host sites for COVID-19 testing and eleven have served as food distribution centers.

COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy, Equity & Engagement

BCM has partnered with the City of New Orleans, medical practitioners, community leaders, and academics in helping to protect our communities from COVID-19. This working group is developing local communications and logistics to anticipate the roll out of future COVID-19 vaccines to be equitably distributed to the people of New Orleans. Strategies include how to address vaccine concerns, and recommending locations for vaccine distribution to reach all New Orleanians, while prioritizing high risk groups.

To donate to BCM’s Congregational Wellness program, click here.