The Rafiki Coalition for Health & Wellness is one of the key agencies providing services to the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, where 34% of the population is African American. In 2021, as part of a localized response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Francisco Department of Public Health awarded funds by neighborhood to address the disparities in COVID-19 testing, infection and care. The Rafiki Coalition was awarded $1 million to provide COVID-related support to the Black/African American community in the Bayview.
Facente Consulting was hired to provide project management support that enabled Rafiki to create a coalition of agencies, known as the 94124 COVID Connect & Care (C3) Project. We assisted with hiring and training of program management staff, developed reports for submission to the funder, and facilitated coalition meetings. The program was successful in increasing the presence of African Americans at COVID-19 testing sites, and linking the local population to prevention and care support. Due to such strong results, the program was extended for an additional year.