Our Values
Community Health Awareness Network Grows Equity (CHANGE) is a non-profit Health care organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts dedicated to improving the health, healthcare access and provision of the best care for the low-income African Immigrant in the greater Worcester area in Massachusetts.
Due to the increase in the number and diversity of African Immigrants in the recent past in the US, there is a growing need to not only assess their health care needs and practices but also the challenges in providing best care. Majority of the low-income African Immigrants lack knowledge of the risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer, Hypertension, among others as well as the importance of early detection through screening tests of potential problems such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Some of the challenges include, a lack of support in programs, language barriers and cultural competencies. Culture influences not only healthcare practices, but how providers of healthcare and the recipients of care perceive the medical condition or illness.
Our Mission
Empowering and strengthening immigrant communities through health education, outreach, screening, and access to comprehensive culturally, sensitive care and resources.
Our Board
Louise Jeffy-Dennis
Louise Jeffy-Dennis
Louise Jeffy-Dennis
Dr. Jeffy-Dennis also sits on the board of several nonprofit institutions and the federal reserve bank of Boston. She’s also a loving wife and mother of two beautiful and intelligent children; Lucca A. Jeffy-Dennis and Lomel M. Jeffy-Dennis.
Dr. Louise Jeffy-Dennis has worked in the field of Health and Human services for over 15 years. Sh
Dr. Jeffy-Dennis also sits on the board of several nonprofit institutions and the federal reserve bank of Boston. She’s also a loving wife and mother of two beautiful and intelligent children; Lucca A. Jeffy-Dennis and Lomel M. Jeffy-Dennis.
Dr. Louise Jeffy-Dennis has worked in the field of Health and Human services for over 15 years. She first started her career at the Youth Opportunity Upheld as a Clinical Counselor, while attending the Anna Maria College. Where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and minoring in Chemistry in 2006. Later, in 2007 she earned her first master's degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and safety.
In pursuant of knowledge seeking, Dr. Jeffy-Dennis earned her second master’s in Counseling Psychology and in 2017 a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology with honors. Over the years, Dr. Jeffy-Dennis has specialized in providing services to folks with cognitive and intellectual disabilities as well as folks on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Jeffy-Dennis has held key leadership position within the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Currently working as the Director of Day Services for the Justice Resource Institute and in 2018 established her own consultant firm, where she’s the founder and CEO.
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Beth Wangari
Louise Jeffy-Dennis
Louise Jeffy-Dennis
Beth Wangari is a native of Kenya and has lived in Worcester for over 20 years. She is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Framingham State University and a Leadership Worcester 2021 alumna.
Beth is a patient advocate involved in community outreach programs, empowering patients, and working with partners t
Beth Wangari is a native of Kenya and has lived in Worcester for over 20 years. She is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Framingham State University and a Leadership Worcester 2021 alumna.
Beth is a patient advocate involved in community outreach programs, empowering patients, and working with partners to address the social determinants of health, health equity and promotion of health for all. She has served socially/economically vulnerable clients including immigrants, non-English speakers, racial/ethnic minorities, older adults, patients struggling with homeless, mental health, and substance abuse. She continues to work with community partners to bridge the gap on health literacy and preventative health. She has been instrumental in drafting processes and protocols to streamline work methods which in turn increase efficiency and patient safety.
Beth volunteers as the treasurer of Finest sisterhood of Worcester a support and empowerment group for women and is the coordinator for Sisterhood investment team, a group empowering women on financial investments.
Akosua Agyapong
Louise Jeffy-Dennis
Akosua Agyapong
Akosua Agyepong is a Family Law Attorney in the Worcester area and has been practicing law since 2018, when she was sworn to the Massachusetts bar. Akosua focuses her practice on establishing and modifying child custody and child support as well as divorce and guardianship matters.
Akosua earned her J.D. from Western New England Univers
Akosua Agyepong is a Family Law Attorney in the Worcester area and has been practicing law since 2018, when she was sworn to the Massachusetts bar. Akosua focuses her practice on establishing and modifying child custody and child support as well as divorce and guardianship matters.
Akosua earned her J.D. from Western New England University School of Law, and her B.S. (with concentrations in Philosophy and Political Science), Cum Laude, from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, where she discovered her love for philosophy.
Akosua volunteers with Community Legal Aid in Worcester, offering pro bono services to low-income litigants. She also volunteers through the Worcester Probate and Family Court as an Attorney Representing Children in child custody-related matters. Akosua has a passion for children and the youth and serves as a board member for Rainbow Child Development Center. She is a member of the Worcester County Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
In her spare time, she Akosua travels and explores different cultures. She is an avid runner and has a love for health and fitness as well as music and theatre arts.
Our Team
Lovo Koliego (President / Founder)
Lovo is a native of Liberia, West Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Nursing degree in Community and Public Health from Worcester State University. She has a wealth of experience as a registered nurse, having worked for over 16 years in diverse healthcare settings and currently with the University
Lovo is a native of Liberia, West Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Nursing degree in Community and Public Health from Worcester State University. She has a wealth of experience as a registered nurse, having worked for over 16 years in diverse healthcare settings and currently with the University of Massachusetts. She is skilled in Healthcare Management, Research, Healthcare, and Patient Education).
Lovo is an alumna of Leadership Worcester class of "22". She also volunteered her time as a commission member of elder services in Worcester. In addition, she served as a co-chair of the Liberian Association of Worcester County Ebola Crisis Response Team and has volunteered at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, through the University of Massachusetts Medical School/Academic Consortium Combating Ebola in Liberia (ACCEL). She received a Community Service Award from Worcester State University for her involvement in the fight against Ebola in 2015.
Lovo is passionate about health literacy and improving the health and welfare of the under-served communities. She is constantly working with local and state organizations to improve health care access and brings equitable, culturally sensitive health information to the African immigrant community here in Worcester.