The VIDA Member Community is a rich tapestry of individuals, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and remote workers from across industries, professions and neighborhoods.
In this post we are pleased to introduce you to Cammisha Manley, who has worked at both VIDA locations, and now resides at VIDA Beaverton, in the Oregon Community Health Workers Association’s westside office. ORCHWA is a non-profit workforce association dedicated to serving as a unified voice to amplify and advocate for and with community health workers across Oregon.
1. Tell us about your work:
I work with the Oregon Community Health Workers Association (ORCHWA) as program and evaluation manager. I manage our Community Education Worker Program, which is a collaborative of community-based organizations that serve families with children ages 0-6. I facilitate and organize peer support, collaboration, and professional development opportunities for direct service staff. I also support evaluation projects that allow us to assess the impact of our workforce development programs.
2. What led you to this career?
The funny version of the story is that I have had an affinity for filling out paperwork and bringing people together since childhood. While earning my bachelor’s degree at Portland State University, I learned that these are valuable skills in the field of community health that can be used to expand access to health and wellness resources. Flash forward a few years, and now, I am a facilitator of information who designs data collection tools and a community builder who brings people together to share and discuss what their work means to them.
3. What are your passions– personal or professional?
I have always been passionate about listening to music, dancing, and analyzing the relationship between lyrics and emotional expression. You can easily find me at local live music events on the weekends! My passion for music and movement inspires me to do work that can promote health and healing in communities and dismantle the systemic barriers that cause harm and hinder social liberation.
4. How does community play an important role in your life?
Community and relationship building are central to everything I do, both at and out of work. At ORCHWA, we make time for relationship building, allowing me to learn more from our team, community partners, and funders. I like collaborating with others and identifying resources and strategies that help others feel supported. Having experienced the social distancing periods of the pandemic, I learned that I tend to work more effectively and creatively when I have a good balance of social interaction and autonomy. This is why I enjoy working in the VIDA co-working space, where I can build new connections and take a break from work even while I am still at work!
5. At VIDA, we are committed to help Make Life/Work… how do you find this for yourself?
I am always working on maintaining a healthy work/life balance, so I appreciate VIDA’s motto! It can be challenging when I care so much about my work and tend to hyper-focus on my projects. I appreciate how my team encourages me to take care of myself by taking walks with my coworkers or having lunch together. I listen to what my body and mind need; if I am too tired, I allow myself to rest, and if I have energy, I allow myself to release that energy through my work or physical activity. Every month, I schedule a few fun activities that give me something to look forward to, like attending a concert or taking a new dance class.
WE 🧡 OUR MEMBERS!
VIDA is a coworking community designed to #MakeLifeWork for our members. With locations in Portland, Oregon and Beaverton, Oregon, we offer private offices, dedicated desks and open coworking, alongside highly curated onsite amenities and an amazing member community.