Svyaz Vmesta
Connected Together
Building Trust, Strengthening Communities, Improving Health
Connected Together (Svyaz Vmesta) is a community-led initiative that brings people, resources, and trusted voices together to improve health outcomes across Spartanburg County.
Through the leadership of Community Health Workers (CHWs), Connected Together helps residents access reliable health information, connect with local services, and navigate healthcare with confidence. By meeting people where they are—in neighborhoods, schools, churches, and community spaces—the initiative strengthens relationships that support healthier families and stronger communities.
The name Connected Together reflects our belief that lasting change happens through trust, understanding, and collaboration. When communities are connected to one another and to the resources they need, everyone benefits.
Why Connected Together?
Recent public health challenges have demonstrated that access to vaccines alone is not enough. Many families face barriers related to transportation, work schedules, language differences, misinformation, and a lack of trust in healthcare systems. These challenges can make it difficult for residents to access preventive care and vaccination services.
Connected Together addresses these challenges by placing trusted Community Health Workers directly within the communities they serve. Through education, outreach, and relationship-building, CHWs help bridge gaps between residents and healthcare resources while ensuring information is delivered in a culturally responsive and community-centered way.
Our Mission
To strengthen community health by connecting residents with trusted information, culturally responsive support, and accessible healthcare resources through the leadership of Community Health Workers.
Project Objectives
- Increasing awareness of measles and vaccine-preventable diseases
- Improving access to vaccination services
- Addressing vaccine misinformation and hesitancy
- Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Expanding the Community Health Worker workforce
- Building long-term community trust and health resilience
- Creating a model that can be replicated across South Carolina communities
What We Do
Community Outreach
Community Health Workers conduct outreach in neighborhoods, schools, churches, community centers, and local events to provide trusted health education and connect residents to available resources.
One-on-One Support
Residents receive personalized guidance, answers to health questions, and referrals to vaccination and healthcare services based on their individual needs.
Cultural and Language Support
Connected Together includes support for Spartanburg's Slavic community through a bilingual Russian-speaking cultural liaison who helps bridge language and cultural barriers while building trust within the community.
Workforce Development
The initiative develops and delivers continuing education opportunities for Community Health Workers focused on measles prevention, childhood immunizations, communication strategies, motivational interviewing, and community engagement.
Training aligns with South Carolina Community Health Worker Core Competencies and prepares CHWs to serve as trusted public health ambassadors in their communities.
Phase One Goals: May – September 2026
During the first phase of the project, Connected Together will focus on outreach, education, referrals, and CHW training throughout Spartanburg County.
Looking Ahead
Connected Together is designed to create lasting impact beyond the initial project period. Future phases will expand outreach efforts, recruit and certify bilingual Community Health Workers, strengthen community partnerships, and provide additional training opportunities across South Carolina.
By September 2027, the project aims to engage more than 1,000 residents, train at least 50 Community Health Workers, establish 10 community partnerships, and create a sustainable model for community-centered vaccine education and outreach.
Our Vision
Connected Together envisions a future where every family has access to trusted health information, every community has trusted messengers, and every resident feels connected to the resources they need to live healthy and thriving lives.
Because when communities are connected together, they are stronger together.