Empowering Community Leadership: Perspectives of Peer Mentors Facilitating a Food Pantry-Based Nutrition Education Program

Tracy L. Oliver (), Lisa K. Diewald, Amy McKeever, Cerena A. George and Rebecca Shenkman
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Tracy L. Oliver: M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
Lisa K. Diewald: M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
Amy McKeever: M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
Cerena A. George: M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
Rebecca Shenkman: M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: Peer Mentors (PMs) are valuable health educators within food-insecure communities; however, little is known about PMs’ perspectives and experiences after serving in their peer mentor role. Therefore, this qualitative study explored PMs’ (n = 10) perceptions and analyzed data using thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology. Four themes emerged: (1) Successes and Struggles in Sharing Nutrition Knowledge; (2) Establishing a Conducive Learning Environment; (3) The Peer Mentor and Mentee Connection: Impact of Shared Experiences; (4) Empowerment of the Peer Mentor Experience. PMs have many advantages; however, more research is needed to evaluate the sustainability and efficacy of PMs within food-insecure communities.

Keywords: peer mentors; food insecurity; food pantry; community health educators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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