A new Twin Cities nonprofit organization that started with a What’sApp group is now giving Spanish speaking communities better access to vital health information.
Raices Latinas aims to provide connections to community services to the community by reaching out to Latina women and their families.
Translated as “Latin Roots,” Raices Latinas focuses on sharing resources for Latinas in the metro area. It serves as a bridge to provide support for Spanish speaking families, connecting them to services they may need but didn't know they could access.
Because these families often face barriers related to immigration, language and digital literacy skills sometimes they are not aware there are resources available to them.
“I saw a need when I was working at the Hennepin County Library and started a WhatsApp group that worked well for our Spanish-speaking families, better than email communication,” said Karina Kelton, founder and director of Raices Latinas. “We are an advocate in their corner.”
Today Raices Latinas has a number of WhatsApp groups. Divided by location, the groups share information about resources and programs targeted for families living in the specific areas.
One of the most pressing concerns of the organization is to make ensure families and children are living in safe environments. Because some reside in older homes or older rental properties that may contain lead paint, creating awareness about the threat and danger of lead exposure and poisoning is a priority.
“We find out they want to go see a doctor to get their kid's blood level checked for lead but they don't they don't have medical insurance. Or their kids have medical insurance but they don't know what clinics accept their children's insurance,” Kelton said. “Everything is intertwined.”
Kelton notes that lead testing kits are helpful for some of the families that Raices Latinas connects with, who are wary about outsiders coming into their homes.
“Thanks to the Hennepin County, Lead Removal Program, we've been able to buy some lead kits that families can do at home by themselves. They're super easy kits to use and we're meeting the community where they are,” she explained.
This summer, Raices Latinas has given away the lead testing kits provided by Hennepin County at various community events, where information is also available.
Raices Latinas plans to follow up with families who receive the kits to discuss options, such as an in-depth evaluation with the Sustainable Resource Center or a connection to a medical group that can do blood testing for children.
To find out more about lead paint detection and removal, go to Hennepin County’s Healthy Home initiative, go to https://healthyhomes.hennepin.us/. Hennepin County offers free interpreters in connection with the program.
They connect families to the services that they need and didn't know that they had access to. Challenges such as immigration, language and digital literacy skills sometimes keep them from seeking available resources that can contribute to a healthier, better life.
Karina Kelton is the founder and director of Raices Latinas, “We are an advocate in their corner. I saw a need when I was working in the Hennepin County Library system and started a WhatsApp group that worked well for our Spanish speaking families, better than email communication.” Raices Latinas now has a number of WhatsApp groups divided by city, that share information about resources and programs, specifically for families living in that area.
One of the overall concerns of the organization is to make sure families and especially children are living in a safe environment. Because some are residing in older homes or rental properties that may contain lead paint, creating awareness about the dangers of lead poisoning is a priority.
As Kelton says, “We start talking to the families, and then we find out that they want to go see a doctor to get their kid's blood level checked for lead, but they don't they don't have medical insurance, or their kids have medical insurance, but they don't know what clinics accept their children's insurance. Everything is intertwined.” Another consideration is that families don't necessarily want someone from the outside coming into their home, for trust reasons. “Thanks to the Hennepin County, Lead Removal Program, we've been able to buy some lead kits that families can do at home by themselves. They're super easy kits to use and we're meeting the community where they are.”
One way to distribute the lead testing kits is via community events. Raices Latinas is taking part in a large event on Saturday, August 10th from 10:30am to 1:00pm at Highland Park in Bloomington. According to Kelton, “it was really driven by our community because they're interested in lead hazard awareness, so there will be 20 organizations there to provide information. We’ll be giving away lead testing kits so that families can do a lead check themselves at home.” Raices Latinas will then follow up with those families to discuss options, such as an in-depth evaluation with the Sustainable Resource Center or a connection to a medical group that can do blood testing for kids.
The main mission for the upcoming event is to make it easy for families to attend. There’s no registration fee and all information will be available in Spanish. The Hennepin County Lead Removal Program is also going to be on hand to test home items for lead, such as pots and pans and toys. And there will be face painting, crafting and other activities for kids.
For more information on the August 10th event happening at Highland Park in Bloomington, contact Raices Latinas at karina@raiceslatinasmn.org or Karina Kelton Marin on LinkedIn.
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