Description
Organization Overview
Save Latin America, Inc. (SLA) is a regionally recognized multipurpose 501 (c) (3) agency with strong links and a variety of collaborative projects with corporations, governmental agencies, as well as other non-profit agencies. In the past several years, SLA has experienced significant growth in every one of
its program components, as all organized activities have improved and we
have expanded our geographical service area. The organization has earned
additional recognition as a community service organization in both New
Jersey and New York City. Last year, more than 20,000 New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area residents encountered one of SLA's programs. Even with these accomplishments, SLA's mission is far from being achieved. There is a lot more good work to do.
SLA's work is conducted, primarily, through the following three main components:
Health Program
Education Program
Community Resource Center (CRC)
FAMILY HEALTH FESTIVAL SERIES PROGRAM
According to the American Medical Association , "recent studies have shown that despite the steady improvements in the overall health services in the United States, racial and ethnic minorities experience a lower quality of health services and are less likely to receive routine medical procedures and have higher rates of morbidity and mortality." The primary cause of this is a lack of health insurance.
The biggest single problem resulting from a lack of health insurance is a dramatic increase in the incidence of Ambulatory Sensitive Conditions (ASC). ASC is defined as any condition for which most, if not all, hospitalizations are thought to be avoidable if adequate primary care had been received. These conditions worsen without access to proper health screenings, and often eventually result in hospitalization or costly advanced care . Surveys conducted by Save Latin America (SLA) demonstrate that many members of the Hispanic and diverse communities of New Jersey and New York, and surrounding areas are separated from the health care mainstream, due to a variety of reasons that include: Cultural and language differences * Intimidation* Lack of time * Lack of vital information in the areas of nutrition, childcare, physical fitness, disease prevention as well as Medicare and health insurance.
Save Latin America's (SLA) Health Commission serves as a health care forum for the provision of medical and health related services, and product information for the residents of New York and New Jersey. SLA provides community residents an opportunity to overcome some cultural barriers and fears. This is accomplished through access to free medical screenings and exams, as well as health related information in their own neighborhoods.
Since 1998, SLA's Health Commission has held 21 Family Health Festivals. Over 32,000 area residents have attended these Family Health Festivals. More than 30,000 people have benefited from various health screenings and exams. Hundreds of those examined were referred for additional free medical attention. All events were administered in a friendly and festive atmosphere that put people at ease and made them feel comfortable about the services they received . EXPERIENCE
Last year, in partnership with the "Good Neighbor Program" of White Rose Food, the "Family Health Festival" was expanded to New York City. Co-sponsored by the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, Promesa, Lutheran Family Health Centers, Touchstone and Health Plus, two events were successfully implemented one in the Bronx the other in Brooklyn.
The Family Health Festival is an upgraded version of the increasingly popular health fair concept. It consists of a series of one-day health events, designed to provide community residents access to an array of health screenings and exams as well as health related and social programs information.
Other activities during the day include consumer giveaways, prizes, games, seminars, and a healthy cooking show where hundreds of people can witness the elaboration of a quick, economical, and nutritious meal and taste it.
It is a family event where participants also meet and greet some of their favorite radio and TV personalities.
With the help of our media partners of El Especialito, and El Especial, Radio WADO and Univision WXTV Channel 41, SLA mission statement of providing free health screenings, services and information will be READ, HEARD and SEEN in promotional mentions by millions of Hispanics.
The Free health screenings to be provided at SLA Health Festivals are:
Cholesterol - Diabetes - Blood Pressure - Alcohol Abuse - Depression - Anxiety - Arthritis - Vision Tests - Dental Evaluation - Bone Density Exams - Asthma Evaluations - Chiropractic Evaluation - Consultations with on-site physicians
REACHING OUR DREAMS
Save Latin America, Inc. (SLA) believes that our children must be properly prepared to step into the future.
The primary purpose of our Education Commission is to create positive educational experiences for minority students in our service area, thereby enabling them to achieve their maximum academic potential.
We achieve our objective by enlisting the help of prominent community leaders, school administrators and most importantly, the parents.
Save Latin America, Inc. (SLA) believes that our children must be properly prepared to step into the future.
The primary purpose of our Education Commission is to create positive educational experiences for minority students in New Jersey thereby enabling them to achieve their maximum academic potential.
We achieve our objective by enlisting the help of prominent community leaders, school administrators and most importantly, the parents.
To date, ROD has been presented on more than 200 occasions to more than 60,000 elementary, middle school and high school students.
ROLE MODEL PRESENTATION
Through this first part of the program, successfully educated individuals, with backgrounds similar to those of the student, give motivational speeches. These presentations focus primarily on how education has made such a critical and positive difference in the lives of the speakers. By setting examples of their achievements against the odds, the speakers supply inspiration and encouragement.
Speakers address issues such as peer pressure, family and community influences as well as the importance of hard work and diligence, motivating students to achieve academic excellence. Students are encouraged to participate by asking questions or commenting on the presentations.
All of this helps raise the awareness of the students that they are equally capable of doing so and to help them discover the joys of growth through study and academic achievement.
ESSAY WRITING CONTEST
Students who attend the Role Model presentations are invited to participate in an Essay Writing Contest. In order to be eligible, students must base their essays on lessons they learned from each of the presenters who spoke during their school's assembly.
Experts agree that the first step to achieving success in the business world is to set up a plan of action. The same holds true for our lives. If we write down our dreams and outline a plan to achieve them, we can be assured a greater measure of success.
The essay criteria require every participant to write about their own dreams and aspiration and outline a plan of action to achieve those dreams.
Three essays are chosen from each school and the authors are presented a plaque during an awards dinner while their family, friends and peers cheer them on.
During the awards dinner students are recognized for their prowess and parents are simultaneously encouraged to become more involved along with their children, as well as professional educators, in the entire process.
PARENTS TAKE ACTION
Parental involvement is the key ingredient in the success of our program.
Research shows and education professionals agree that when parents decide to become involved in their children's education, the child recognizes that he/she matters. This produces great self-esteem and pride in their work. As a result, academic success is expected.
In conjunction with an awards dinner, at which students are recognized for their prowess, plaques are awarded and parents are simultaneously encouraged to become more involved along with their children, as well as professional educators, in the entire process.
For this reason, SLA addresses parents through our parental involvement conferences, Parents Take Action (PTA), regarding the importance of participating in the educational process by collaborating with teachers and school administrators.
Motivational speakers address the diverse issues that today's parents face, such as cultural differences, gang violence, teen pregnancy, limited English proficiency, financial struggles, etc.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER (CRC)
The main purpose is to provide general information. However it also operates nine programs and provides the following, on site, nineteen, day-to-day services to community residents, free of charge:
1. Cancer prevention activities: Outreaching
Educating
Referring men and women for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer screenings.
2. Health screenings Monthly screenings are conducted on site on:
Vision
Glaucoma
Cataract
Cholesterol
Glucose
Blood Pressure
Blood collection every month
3. Psychological counseling Individual, couples, and families received professional counseling every week.
4. Employment Recruitment conferences
Referrals for employment opportunities
5. Seminars and conferences on a variety of subjects that include:
Disease prevention
Business
Employment
Self improvement
Social Programs
Many others
6. Public service and general information Information guidance and direct assistance is offered daily to community residents on:
Charity Care
NJ Family Care enrollment
Reduce fare for senior citizens and disabilities
Home Energy Assistance Program
Child Care (CDA)
Government Programs and Services
Information about Medicaid & Medicare
7. Immigration Assistance in all aspects of immigration issues:
A Citizenship course that prepares participants for the personal interview and the citizenship exam.
Translation of documents.
Cases search and follow ups.
Other services
8. Business counseling Guidance and information on business issues.
Referrals to proper agencies and business resources.
9. Home Energy Assistance
Provides information and assistance to people having difficulties with:
Paying the home energy bills
Past due bills
Turn off notices
Heating or cooling their living quarters.
