What We Do
Community partners have described LATIN-19’s work in the following way:
“LATIN-19 advocates tirelessly for culturally responsive resources and policies to address inequities for urban and rural Spanish speaking communities statewide. They authentically engage with the people they serve and collaboratively develop new paths, new strategies for growth and recovery - beyond COVID-19.”
— Kimberly Monroe, MPA
This reflects LATIN-19’s role in strengthening coordination, expanding access to resources, and supporting community-informed solutions across North Carolina.
Our Impact
Since our founding, we’ve collaborated with a variety of organizations and made important strides in addressing the needs of the Latina community on many fronts, including five key areas:
-
Building and maintaining robust channels of communication with leaders in government as well as public and private health systems is vital to our work.
LATIN-19 leaders listen to the community members and relay critical information to decision-makers and policy makers so they can better meet the needs of the entire community.
-
We have learned that how and from whom people get their information is key.
LATIN-19 is a trusted organization in the community — it is important that members connect and communicate with the community via traditional mediums like in person gatherings and broadcast media, as well as social media and web-based methods like Facebook Live events, etc.
-
LATIN-19 provides health care services to address community needs, especially for Spanish-speaking individuals who face additional barriers to access.
Additionally, we provide training for community health workers/promotoras, a workforce that serves as a bridge between the community and the health system by delivering a range of health promotion programs and facilitating support groups.
-
It is important that the Latinx community participate and have a voice in clinical and community-based research.
LATIN-19 serves as a powerful connector among active research groups, community groups and leaders, and others in the local community, providing a bridge for engaging Latinx individuals to participate in research studies and also taking an active approach in setting a research agenda that is responsive to the expressed priorities, needs, and resources of the Latinx community.
-
LATIN-19’s work is of great interest to diverse, health professions learners who want to be involved as volunteers and interns.
Through curricular modules, mentorship, and community-based experience, LATIN-19 is dedicated to training the next generation of health equity pioneers to be culturally and linguistically competent in the Latinx community.
Founded in March of 2020, the original mission of LATIN-19 was to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on the physical, mental, and social health of Hispanic/ Latinx communities. Born out of a collective passion for supporting and amplifying the voices of the Hispanic/ Latinx community, our mission has since expanded to all issues concerning the health and wellness of our diverse community in the effort to reduce differences in health outcomes. Programs and resources are open to all individuals who may benefit.