PITTSBORO — The research and survey process for the 2021 Chatham County Community Assessment is under way, and there are multiple opportunities for all Chatham residents to participate.
Many Chatham residents recently received an invitation to participate in the Chatham Community Cohort Survey, which is sent to a representative sample of households across Chatham. Those who received the invitation are encouraged to enroll in the cohort and share their perspectives by completing the survey. In addition, county residents have three other options to participate and let their voices be heard in the Community Assessment: the supplemental survey, Chatham Snapshots and Chatham Talks: Community Story Circles.
“The Community Assessment is one of the biggest opportunities to see Chatham as it is right now, whether it’s on paper, sending a photo, or telling your story,” said Míchelle Wright, the Equity and Community Engagement Initiatives Lead for the Chatham County Public Health Department. “The community has the chance to share their experiences with health, family, and county resources. And this is what we need to drive us forward is serving Chatham the way that Chatham wants and needs.”
Community Assessment supplemental survey
A supplemental survey is open to all residents. This survey gives all Chatham community members the opportunity to share their thoughts about health and well-being in Chatham County. Respondents are invited to share opinions about their experiences in the community and provide input on areas to prioritize to improve life for everyone.
Chatham Snapshots
The goal of Chatham Snapshots is to bring forward the perspective of all the communities in the county, showing how we are one community with many different experiences. To participate, community members choose one of the following four prompts — what home looks like for you in Chatham, what your life looks like in Chatham, what you think is the best of Chatham and how you see yourself reflected in Chatham — and take a picture that answers one of the prompts for them.
After taking the picture, the respondent should write a brief summary of no more than one typed page of what the photo is and how it answers the prompt for them. Submit the photo and summary to chathamtalks@chathamcountync.gov by Dec. 3.
For more on Chatham Snapshots, including full guidelines and to fill out a consent form, visit www.chathamcountync.gov/chathamsnapshots.
Chatham Talks: Community Story Circles
The 2021 Community Assessment team is hosting Chatham Talks listening events across the area to hear from the Chatham community. Everyone who lives, works, plays, and/or worships in the county is invited to tell their own story.
The schedule of remaining Chatham Talks events is as follows:
• Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. Hwy. 64 Business, Pittsboro (6-8 p.m.); and the Alliance NC, 134 S. Chatham Ave., Siler City (6:15-8:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, Nov. 13 (10 a.m. to noon) at Goldston Town Hall, 40 Coral Avenue #A, Goldston; and Liberty Chapel Church, 1855 Old U.S. Hwy. 1, Moncure.
• Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Ag Center in Pittsboro (6-8 p.m.) and the Alliance NC in Siler City (6:15-8:30 p.m.)
Additionally, a virtual Story Circle event will be held each night listed above. The event will be hosted at: https://us06web.zoom.us/s/86990433882.
Participants are not required to RSVP, but it is encouraged. Children are welcome to attend each event, and dinner will be provided. Call 919-704-4421 or email chathamtalks@chathamcountync.gov to RSVP.
The 2021 Chatham County Community Assessment is a joint project sponsored by the Chatham Health Alliance, Chatham County Public Health Department and Chatham Hospital. Previous Community Assessments can be found at www.chathamcountync.gov/healthreports. The web home for the current Assessment can be found at www.chathamhealthalliancenc.org/community-assessment.