Community invited to participate in 2021 Chatham County community assessment process

Pittsboro, NC – The research and survey process for the 2021 Chatham County Community Assessment is underway, 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, Equity and Community Engagement Initiatives Lead, 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

The 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. Take the Supplemental Survey at chathamhealthalliancenc.org/supplemental.

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. They can use a fancy camera, their phone, a disposable camera, whatever works for them.

After they take the picture, they 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 December 3rd, 2021.

For more on Chatham Snapshots, including full guidelines and to fill out a consent form, visit 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, November 4th, 2021Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 US Highway 64 Business, Pittsboro (6-8 PM)The Alliance NC, 134 S. Chatham Avenue, Siler City (6:15-8:30 PM)Saturday, November 13th, 2021, from 10 AM-12 PMGoldston Town Hall, 40 Coral Avenue #A, GoldstonLiberty Chapel Church, 1855 Old US Highway 1, MoncureThursday, December 2nd, 2021Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 US Highway 64 Business, Pittsboro (6-8 PM)The Alliance NC, 134 S. Chatham Avenue, Siler City (6:15-8:30 PM)

Additionally, a virtual Story Circle event will be held each night listed above. The event will be hosted at: 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 chathamcountync.gov/healthreports. The web home for the current Assessment can be found at chathamhealthalliancenc.org/community-assessment. To learn more about the Chatham County Public Health Department, visit chathamcountync.gov/publichealth or facebook.com/chathamhealth