Meet Vancarlus Tennison | Community Healthcare worker and Community Healthcare worker Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vancarlus Tennison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vancarlus, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
The answer to the question of How to know whether to keep going or to give up? Is the three C’s of life: Choices, Chances, Changes. You must make a Choice to take a Chance or your life will never Change. Every day we are faced with choices such as what to wear, eat, getting the kids off to school, and choosing the best route to work with the least amount of traffic, without giving it much consideration. One of the most powerful cliché` is, “you have to put one foot in front of the other to move forward”, this is imperative because action is required to accomplish basic tasks and our life is not running on an autonomic nervous system like our heart or lungs that operate involuntary without thought or consciousness, but if this function fails life can cease much like not making a CHOICE to set up SMART goal in an effort not to give up and keep going. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound is the main ingredient for the three C’s of life. An example of a SMART goal may be to create a fund to purchase Bluetooth headphones for $300 by setting aside $50.00 bi-weekly pay periods, over a three-month period, automatically having the money deposited into my savings and once goal is met purchase headphones. Once a SMART goal is exactitude and reached a sense of gratification of a win is met in an effort to motivate you to repeat the behavior. Recall, you made Choice to set aside money for headphones, you took a Chance automatically depositing the funds before you could use the money for something else, and you Changed your life by rewarding yourself for a job well done.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work as a community healthcare worker assisting patients with behavioral health, substance abuse, and primary care needs in a poor and indigent population that are most vulnerable for not receiving the care they are entitled to. What sets me apart from others is my ability to care. I care about the people I serve as well as the people I work with and take advantage of any opportunities to interact and assist when I can with my talents. I provided general health education, behavioral health screenings, and referrals for community services. I am most excited about interacting with people and assisting them in achieving their healthcare goals. I got where I am today with community mentorship, help from my family, support from supervisors, and being goal oriented. It was not easy I received my fair share of NOs, but I kept asking and following up until I achieved my goal or goals. I overcame my challenges by being the squeaky wheel that needs grease. I was very persistent and turned my challenges into opportunities. Let me share an example. I was formally employed at a local bloodbank. There were not enough drivers to meet the needs of the organization, so I asked the vehicle management how could I help. The management team suggested that I take my written exam for a class B CDL permit, upon completion of my permit the team trained me to become a driver, and I was able to receive a professional license and a pay increase. The lessons I learned along the way is to ask, because the worst thing someone can tell you is NO. I would like the world to know you are not alone there are people here that are willing and able to help, so please be open to receive and then give back to keep it going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spot in the city is the American Airlines Center because we can eat drink and be merry all in one place while supporting our home team the Dallas Mavericks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
DFW CHW Association & Texas Association of Promoters & Community

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vancarlus/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/van-tennison-4b1b2141/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vantherebel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vancarlus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vantherebel

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vancarlustennison

Image Credits
Self Vancarlus Tennison