The Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns Among People Who are Incarcerated (ADVANCE) Project

In Phase 1 of the project, we co-developed needs assessment surveys with project collaborators. In Phase 2, we delivered those surveys at correctional centers across British Columbia. In Phase 3, we took what we learned from the surveys and created workshops to generate additional input and feedback from PWAI. The Phase 4 outcome of this project was a set of 5 booklets, two comics, two posters, and a compiled reference resource, co-created by PWAI, to promote COVID-19 literacy and vaccine confidence amongst PWAI. Check them out at the link below!

My role in this project was to support the creation of the survey instruments, to lead the design and facilitation of the workshops for PWAI, and to lead the design and creation of the educational resources based on input and feedback from PWAI. All of this took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people who were incarcerated in BC Provincial Corrections facilities, which came with a unique set of challenges and necessitated creativity, problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration. I facilitated virtual workshops for PWAI via Microsoft Teams, and led the creation of physical resources in-person distribution. Evaluation was interwoven throughout the project.

This project was an amazing opportunity to utilize proven adult education approaches in the service of creating vital, accessible resources for a diverse group of learners. It brought together people from many backgrounds and positionalities to make something with the potential to empower and bring life-changing information to folks with limited information access opportunities at a critical time.