Connections built with other Community Navigators
Community Navigators shared that being connected to the other Community Navigators across gender identities, sexual orientations and racial/ethnic identities increased a sense of belonging, resource sharing, creativity and problem solving. Community Navigators expressed that monthly meetings with the other Community Navigators and intervention coordinators were a time and place for growth because they brought together diverse experiences and perspectives and provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with one another, as well as discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. Navigators noted that it was valuable to know that other Community Navigators, including those with different gender identities, sexual orientations and/or racial/ethnic identities than their own, had found themselves in similar situations and to learn from one another. Thus, these conversations fostered an environment where Community Navigators felt welcome to express themselves and their ideas about promoting health within their communities through engagement and education. While each Community Navigator carried out helping activities independently with their social network members, the Community Navigators also worked as a team by providing social support to one another. These connections took place both in meetings and more informally in one‐on‐one interactions outside of meetings (including via social media) and continued after implementation ended.