About Us
On September 25, 1999, I married my best friend, fully believing the vows we spoke to love one another in sickness and in health. What we could not have imagined was how profoundly those words would shape our lives and our purpose.
On June 14, 2011, my husband had to be rushed to the emergency room because of severe abdominal pain. What began as a gallstone attack quickly escalated into a life-threatening medical crisis.
Ronnie was hospitalized for a whole year and a day!! Within the first six months, he had 14 surgeries, including the removal of his gallbladder and 90% of his pancreas, leaving him insulin dependent. The journey did not end there. To date, Ronnie has undergone 41 surgeries, multiple hospital and ICU admissions, repeated intubations and tracheotomies, severe infections, prolonged malnutrition, and end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis. Over the years, he was called seven times for a kidney transplant before finally receiving a successful match in 2018.
During his year-long hospital stay, there were moments when even doctors believed he would not survive. After nearly 4 months on life support, they told me there was nothing else that they could do. Despite what I was being told, I refused to give up and chose to advocate for my husband. I had to be his voice. Through faith, perseverance, and an unwavering will to live, Ronnie continued to fight. We witnessed firsthand how chronic illness affects not only the body, but also the mind and spirit. We learned how overwhelming it can be to navigate complex healthcare systems, manage chronic conditions, and maintain hope when life changes in an instant.
This journey is why we founded Community Education and Outreach Alliance.
Our nonprofit was born out of lived experience, love, faith and a deep commitment to ensure that no individual or family has to face chronic illness without the support that they need. We understand the struggles because we lived them. We know about fear, confusion, and exhaustion. We also know the power of knowledge, advocacy, and culturally responsive care. In 2024 we founded Community Education and Outreach Alliance (CEAOA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes through education, prevention, and community empowerment. We operate in North Carolina, partnering with local organizations to deliver accessible, health education programming.
Ronnie and I are both certified in Chronic Disease Self-Management and have extensive experience in community outreach, and wellness education. Our mission is rooted in the belief that health education is a powerful tool for equity and self-determination. By equipping individuals with knowledge and practical skills, we help strengthen families and build healthier communities.
Yolanda C. Clay
Founder / Executive Director
Ronald C. Clay
Co-Founder/ Assistant Director
Our Mission
The mission of Community Education and Outreach Alliance is to offer comprehensive educational programs that focus on the understanding, management, and prevention of chronic disease. By providing education about chronic illnesses and connecting individuals with essential resources and support, our nonprofit aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life for those struggling with long-term health conditions.
Our Vision
Community Education and Outreach Alliance (CEAOA) is dedicated to the belief that knowledge is power…when you know better, you do better.
We envision a healthier world made possible by the education and resources provided by our services. Our desire is to help our communities acquire the knowledge, skills, and values needed to live longer, healthier, more productive lives.