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Ariel Brown

Central Maryland Area Health Education Center

By Lisa A. Lewis

When Ariel Brown saw an Internet posting seeking volunteers for Central Maryland Area Health Education Center (CMAHEC), it immediately sparked her interest. She had begun volunteering when she was a child, and throughout the years, she consistently sought opportunities to lend her support to important causes. As an adult, she made her volunteer work a priority and decided to dedicate even more time to various organizations. Since Brown is interested in nonprofits and has a background in healthcare, human rights, education, and government, CMAHEC was a perfect fit, and she has been a virtual volunteer with the organization since February 2019.

VOLUNTEERING FOR CMAHEC IS SO EMPOWERING, AND I REALLY ENJOY THE WORK THAT I DO TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION.”

“When I reached out to CMAHEC, I immediately felt welcome, and I was inspired by the work that they do,” Brown says. “They play such an important role in advocating equitable access to healthcare, and they make a positive impact in the community. But since much of their work is done behind the scenes, they don’t often get the attention they deserve. I wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization and help spread the word about the great work that they do.”

A 501(c)(3) organization, CMAHEC is one of three community-based Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in Maryland and one of more than 250 AHECs throughout the United States. CMAHEC has two locations: an administrative office in Baltimore and an annex in Elkridge. The mission of the organization is “to increase health equity by educating and strengthening the healthcare workforce and by providing health education, support, and resources to residents in underserved communities in Central Maryland.”

Brown’s previous volunteer work inspired her to connect with CMAHEC. She served as a volunteer in Brazil, where she worked in education. In addition, she also volunteered with AmeriCorps VISTA (americorps.gov), an organization whose mission is “to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” As a volunteer for CMAHEC, Brown performs numerous tasks to support the organization. She coordinates marketing and fundraising efforts, including grants research, social media messaging, and community outreach. All of these activities play an integral role in bringing attention to critical issues that need to be addressed and helping provide the necessary support and resources.

“Volunteering for CMAHEC is such a rewarding experience for me,” Brown says. “I enjoy supporting the team and its mission. It’s also gratifying to be a part of something that is bigger than me. The community healthcare workers and first responders are true heroes. I keep that in mind when I am doing my work as a volunteer for CMAHEC, and it is what drives me.”

Although Brown has always been a virtual volunteer for CMAHEC—even before the pandemic began—she feels very connected to the organization and experiences a sense of camaraderie. She was especially inspired by the role that CMAHEC played during the pandemic. Even during a health crisis, there were success stories, and it was rewarding for her to see how much work CMAHEC did to help people and to make a difference in the community.

“Ariel is a valued member of the Central Maryland AHEC team,” says Paula Blackwell, executive director of CMA-

HEC. “She serves in many capacities within the organization, including grants research, project evaluation, marketing, and fundraising. Her expertise and encouragement have been integral to the organization›s successes and the morale of the team, especially through the trials of the past two years.”

Brown, who lives in Baltimore, is also a volunteer board member with an arts nonprofit and a volunteer for an organization that helps military members and their families. Her longtime passion for volunteering also influenced her educational goals and career path—ultimately inspiring her to pursue a Master in Policy, which she earned in 2017. Brown is extremely committed to her volunteer work and plans to continue to support important causes on a regular basis.

“Volunteering for CMAHEC is so empowering, and I really enjoy the work that I do to support the organization and its mission,” Brown says. “I feel like part of the team, and I have developed a close relationship with Paula. She is a phenomenal person and an incredible mentor who truly inspires me. Volunteering has helped me broaden my mind and connect with like-minded people. But most importantly, it has helped me realize how working collectively can bridge gaps and make a difference. I would encourage anyone to become a volunteer with CMAHEC. It’s truly a great organization.”

For more information about Central Maryland Area Health Education Center, visit centralmarylandahec.org.

Do you have a volunteer to nominate? Send What's Up? an email to editor@ whatsupmag.com.