Sara Louis-Ayo
saralouis443@gmail.com
Summary
Community Health and Public Health Advocate with over 2 years of experience in policy and advocacy, specializing in vulnerable populations such as immigrants, refugees, and individuals impacted by social, behavioral, and health challenges. Currently serving as a Community Organizer for VOTE, with a focus on advocacy around impacted community and voters registration. Skilled in community outreach, data collection, program coordination, and policy analysis. Adept at conducting both qualitative and quantitative research and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. Fluent in English and Arabic, with a strong commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting marginalized communities. Passionate about Africanizing research in public health, ensuring culturally relevant approaches to healthcare for immigrant and refugee populations.
Driven Community Health navigator with robust background in community engagement and mobilization. Coordinated impactful initiatives that fostered community cohesion and addressed local issues. Demonstrated proficiency in event planning and public speaking to effectively rally community support.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Organizer
Voice of the Experienced (VOTE)
01.2025 - Current
- Advocate for the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals, focusing on racial justice, health equity, and voting rights for marginalized communities
- Lead outreach efforts to engage disenfranchised populations, particularly refugees and immigrants, in electoral processes and healthcare policy reforms
- Research and address systemic issues related to healthcare access in detention, with a specific focus on medical negligence and its impact on mental and physical health
- Coordinate grassroots campaigns to raise awareness and drive policy changes for improved healthcare access in detention facilities
Steering Committee Member
South East Dignity Not Detention Initiative
08.2023 - Current
- Lead advocacy efforts to address behavioral health concerns within the detention system, focusing on the impact of medical negligence in immigration detention centers
- Engage with stakeholders such as policymakers and community leaders to promote alternatives to detention and systemic reforms in immigration detention
- Facilitate strategic campaigns centered on mental health awareness and immigrant justice, emphasizing health-related issues in detention
Policy and Advocacy Organizer
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI)
06.2022 - 01.2024
- Advocated for equitable healthcare access and mental health support for immigrant communities, ensuring their access to social services and public health benefits
- Led the Africanizing research in public health initiatives, ensuring cultural sensitivity and relevance in healthcare programs tailored for African immigrant populations
- Passed out HIV testing kits for immigrant communities as part of the effort to enhance health access and raise awareness of preventive measures
- Organized workshops to educate underserved populations on healthcare rights, immigration policies, and public health changes
- Collaborated with national organizations to strengthen advocacy networks and raise awareness about policies impacting refugee and immigrant health
Advocacy Partner
Fair Chance Ordinance for Baton Rouge
04.2022 - 01.2023
- Supported initiatives focused on improving economic opportunities for individuals with criminal backgrounds, aligning with public health goals to reduce recidivism and promote mental health and rehabilitation
- Engaged with local stakeholders to advocate for policies that enhance community-based healthcare access and housing security for marginalized groups
Community Educator
Voter's Rights Sanitation
11.2022 - 12.2022
- Facilitated workshops on immigrants' rights and voter participation, emphasizing the role of social and mental health equity in civic engagement
- Worked with national advocacy organizations to improve access to health resources and voting rights for refugee and immigrant communities
Housing and Fair Rent Advocate
House Equity
10.2022 - 12.2022
- Advocated for affordable housing policies to improve health outcomes by addressing the intersection of housing instability and behavioral health concerns
- Conducted workshops to raise awareness of tenant rights, homeownership, and access to supportive housing programs, with a focus on trauma-informed care
Server
L'berge Casino
02.2020 - 11.2022
- Delivered exceptional service to diverse guests while managing operational tasks and maintaining health and safety standards, showcasing adaptability in high-pressure environments
- Contributed to team success through effective communication and collaboration, reinforcing the importance of inclusive, community-oriented service
Assistant Retail Store Manager
Off Chain Shoes
11.2011 - 08.2021
- Supervised a team in providing excellent customer service, ensuring compliance with company policies and health regulations
- Managed operational functions including inventory, cash flow, and staff training, fostering an environment that valued communication and teamwork in support of operational goals
Education
Master of Public Health -
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
12.2019
Bachelor's - History and Political Science
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Associate's - International Relations
Baton Rouge Community College
05.2017
Skills
- Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- Community Outreach and Engagement
- Public Health and Behavioral Health Systems
- Program Coordination and Data Management
- Data Collection and Qualitative/Quantitative Analysis
- Mental Health Policy and Services
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Immigration Detention Research
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Research Methodologies (including REDCap and Qualtrics)
- Event Planning and Public Speaking
- Team Leadership and Collaboration
- Workshop organization
- Issue awareness
- Data collection
- Public speaking
- Advocacy background
- Recruitment strategies
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 6 staff members.
- Documented and resolved HIV taboos in the refugees and immigrant community which led to 250 members testing.
Languages
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Community Organizer
Voice of the Experienced (VOTE)
01.2025 - Current
Steering Committee Member
South East Dignity Not Detention Initiative
08.2023 - Current
Community Educator
Voter's Rights Sanitation
11.2022 - 12.2022
Housing and Fair Rent Advocate
House Equity
10.2022 - 12.2022
Policy and Advocacy Organizer
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI)
06.2022 - 01.2024
Advocacy Partner
Fair Chance Ordinance for Baton Rouge
04.2022 - 01.2023
Server
L'berge Casino
02.2020 - 11.2022
Assistant Retail Store Manager
Off Chain Shoes
11.2011 - 08.2021
Bachelor's - History and Political Science
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Associate's - International Relations
Baton Rouge Community College
Master of Public Health -
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
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