Hispanos Unidos Educates Parents About Health and Social Issues

Members of Hispanos Unidos work with Harris YMCA on a community service project

A group organized through MAPPR research has grown and continues to meet with the goal of educating the Latino community about health and social issues.  Hispanos Unidos began meeting in January 2014 as part of MAPPR's Social Determinants of Health study.  The group is composed of Latino parents from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools - including Huntingtowne Farms, Montclaire, and Collinswood Language Academy.

"Our group was originally convened as a way to engage the Hispanic/Latino parents of Huntingtowne Farms as a response to feedback from a neighborhood forum, where participants spoke about lack of engagement opportunities - which could lead to mental health issues and feeling isolated," says MAPPR team member Patricia Avraham.  "In addition to workshops addressing health and nutrition, the parents learn how to advocate for their children in the school system and how to navigate through it."

To date, there are 10-14 active members who meet twice monthly.  Topics discussed range from mental health to immigration law.  Four of the members have participated in health promoter trainings, which give them the ability to advocate for healthy lifestyles and educate their community about disease prevention and other issues.  The group also participated in a number of community service projects around Charlotte and walked together last September for the American Heart Association Charlotte Heart Walk.

“Estoy en hispanos unidos por la necesidad de información y por que ha sido un grupo que a sobrepasado adversidades y sigue unido para crecer!”
Translation - “I am in Hispanos Unidos because of the need of information and because it’s been a group that has overcome adversity and still is united to make a change!” says one participant.

The meetings are held bimonthly on Monday evenings, and coordinated through social media.  Being able to meet with other Latino parents and build a network has made Hispanos Unidos a valuable experience for the parents involved.  In addition to some members beginning to assume leadership roles, a partnership with the Harris YMCA is positioning the group to continue beyond the scope of the original research project.

To find out more about Hispanos Unidos, please contact Patricia Avraham at Patricia.Avraham@carolinashealthcare.org.