Lessie Williams Recipient of the 2020 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award

Lessie Williams, Executive Director of Highland Haven, the non-profit arm of Highland Community Christian Church in Portland, Oregon is the 2020 recipient of the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health  (REACH) Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award. Through Ms. Williams’ network of churches and community organizations, African Americans in Multnomah County have increased access to health care, more blood pressure screenings at community churches, and increased access to healthy foods.

She has been instrumental in creating youth violence prevention programs and increased access to culturally-relevant mental health services. Highland Haven is in the partner network of the Multnomah County’s REACH program.  The REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award recognizes individuals or teams that have been part of the CDC’s REACH program  working to eliminate health disparities in communities across the country.