Sociedad Latina recently announced it will receive $150,000 over three years from Boston Children’s Collaboration for Community Health.
Sociedad Latina’s Padres Comprometidos (Committed Parents) program connects Latino, Spanish-speaking, and immigrant families with health and wellness learning opportunities that focus on nutrition and fitness. It was designed for the parents and caregivers of youth in middle school STEM and arts programs, when research shows that parents are still the primary influence on their children’s behavior.
“Sociedad Latina greatly appreciates the support from Boston Children’s Hospital,” Alexandra Oliver-Davila, Executive Director, stated. “With their support, we are able to provide both our young people and their families with opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles and grow their understanding in nutrition and fitness.”
The grant to Sociedad Latina is part of Boston Children’s Hospital’s total commitment of $53.4 million to support community organizations and agencies in their efforts to improve the health
and well-being of children and families in Boston and across Massachusetts. Over the next 10 years, Boston Children’s will distribute these funds as part of an agreement with the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Determination of Need Program. This is in addition to the hospital’s ongoing support for programs and partnerships.
“For more than 25 years, Boston Children’s has dedicated resources and used its expertise to improve child health outcomes beyond the walls of our hospital,” says Sandra L. Fenwick,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Children’s Hospital. “Through the Collaboration for Community Health, we’re able to further extend by helping more community partners to implement programs and strategies that are vital to a child’s overall health.” Adds Fenwick, “This means we’re also looking at the social determinants that affect a child’s health such as the environment that surrounds them, their housing conditions and any consequences
from experiencing violence or growing up in poverty.”
Funded partners in the initial round of grants announced by Boston Children’s will focus on implementing strategies and projects in three key areas: Zero to Five Child Health and Development, Family Housing Stability and Economic Opportunity and Community Physical Activity, Recreation and Food Access. These efforts will help ensure that Boston children will enter kindergarten ready to succeed, children will be food secure and have access to physical activities and that families have opportunities to thrive and live in stable housing.
The strategy to distribute funds followed a two-year community engagement process to inform how Boston Children’s could make a long-lasting impact. That process resulted in identifying several strategic funding areas to address the health and social needs of children and families.
“This is a long-term plan to help children, families and communities become stronger and healthier,” says Shari Nethersole, MD, Executive Director for Community Health. “Our goal is to help the Collaboration’s partners not only grow and lead, but to share the successes and lessons learned when implementing programs and policies that tackle complex health and social problems.”
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