Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations

The National Council of La Raza's (NCLR) nearly 300 community-based Affiliates work in 41 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., to meet the diverse needs of Latinos. From education and health care to homeownership

counseling and workforce development, the services provided by NCLR Affiliates support millions of Hispanic Americans each year as they seek to

build strong futures for their families. “Family is a value that defines Latino cul-

ture, and families are at the heart of the day-to-day work our Affiliates are engaged in,” says Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “By advancing

opportunities for Latino children, families and communities, NCLR and its

Affiliates together are working to strengthen America as a whole.”

DA L L A S C O N C I L I O

O F H I S PA N I C S E R V I C E O R G A N I Z AT I O N S

CHILDREN DO WELL WHEN THEIR FAMILIES DA L L A S C O N C I L I O O F H I S PA N I C S E R V I C E O R G A N I Z AT I O N S

DO WELL , AND FAMILIES DO BETTER WHEN

Award-winning program: Community Health

THE Y LIVE IN SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES

Silvia Gallegos, Community Health Manager Florencia Velasco Fortner, President and CEO 500 North Akard Street, 11th Floor Dallas, TX 75201 214-818-0481

www.dallasconcilio.org

2007 FAMILY STRENGTHENING AWARDS

H E A LT H Y FA M I L I E S , H E A LT H Y C O M M U N I T Y

A C O M M U N I T Y O N T H E M OV E

Since 1994, the Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations has tried to

Although the Community Health program focuses on educating parents about

improve the health of Latino families in the Dallas region. Recognizing that

Mexican Americans are 1.7 times as likely as whites to have diabetes, the

health risks, nutritious cooking and the importance of physical activity, the pro-

gram also opens doors to services beyond health education classes. With

Concilio began a Community Health program to offer culturally sensitive dia-

nearly a quarter of the 818,000 Hispanics in Dallas living in poverty, the

ters. But in recent years, in response to community needs, the Community

Concilio refers parents to clinics for affordable medical care and to partner

betes prevention seminars in schools, churches, clinics and community cenHealth program has evolved into a more comprehensive array of free services

for 1,200 individuals and their families. “It’s not only diabetes now,” says Community Health Manager Silvia Gallegos. “It’s nutrition, physical activity,

health education for seniors and all the services our families need. And if they

need something we can’t offer, we connect them to one of our many partners.”

The Concilio has cultivated a network of more than 60 organizations that offer

Concilio is a valuable link between families and community agencies. The

organizations for other services, such as housing assistance and counseling.

The Concilio also offers parenting classes and encourages families to support each other. “Throughout our programs, we help create a network of communi-

ty support among our families,” says Florencia Velasco Fortner, President and

CEO of the Dallas Concilio. “They build up resources together and find strength

in each other.”

services from education and employment to literacy and legal assistance. As

The Pasos Saludables program has brought parents together at more than 30

Concilio effectively links families to community resources.

learn about health and exercise, they also develop a network of social and

an umbrella group for organizations seeking to better serve Latinos, the

schools for weekly group walks and education sessions. While the parents

community support and become better connected to their children’s schools.

“The majority of our parents are very young mothers from immigrant families,”

Gallegos says. “The walking groups become a social support system because

IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY, THE FAMILY IS

THE CENTER OF LIFE. WE CANNOT

many of our parents don’t have extended family in the area. And then they also get more involved in school activities.”

EFFECTIVELY HELP INDIVIDUALS UNLESS WE

FA M I L I E S C O U N T FA M I LY ST R E N GT H E N I N G AWA R D S

WE FOCUS ON SUPPORTING PARENTS TO

recognize NCLR Affiliates with outstanding programs that work to give children

WORK WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY. THAT IS WHY

SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.

— Florencia Velasco Fortner, President and CEO, Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations

Through a joint venture of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Families Count Family Strengthening Awards

what they need most — strong, capable and economically successful families.

Responding to the varied needs of the families they serve, these organizations

improve the economic prospects of working men and women and create

the services and networks of support that all families need to realize their aspirations for themselves and their children.