Mission--To advocate for and empower members of the Hispanic community and to bridge the gap between communities by inspiring and supporting healthy attitudes and behavior through substance abuse prevention and intervention

Vision--Abriendo Puertas is committed to:

• empowering individuals and families in the Hispanic community to take responsibility for their health and to live free of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse and addictions
• cultivating awareness and education about Hispanic people and cultures with substance abuse prevention and treatment providers, as well as the Greater Cincinnati area

If you would like to come to a meeting or to learn about volunteering, please call Mary Francis at 513-458-6606 (toll-free 888-310-4904) or email  mfrancis@healthfoundation.org

Through our work with the community, the ASAP Center became aware of risk factors for alcohol and other drug problems within the Hispano/Latino community. Beginning in 2000, ASAP Center staff brought together a group of people who are members of or have connections to the Greater Cincinnati Hispano/Latino community to determine if there was local interest in addressing substance abuse prevention within the Hispano/Latino Community.

The purpose of Abriendo Puertas is to advocate for and empower members of the Hispanic community and to bridge gaps between cultures. The steering committee inspires and supports healthy attitudes and behavior that prevent the harmful consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.

To accomplish this, the Abriendo Puertas steering committee members hosted 3 regional Symposia:

• Symposium I, held on October 3-4, 2003, targeted administrators; 104 people attended.
• Symposium II, held on May 21, 2004, targeted youth serving professionals and volunteers; 121 people attended.
• Symposium III, held on May 5, 2006, targeted youth serving professionals and volunteers; 81 people attended.

Power Point and Conference DVD presentations

Power Point Presentations

• 10-3-03 Victor Garcia, MD's presentation on Cultural Competence with the Hispanic/Latino Community.
• 10-4-03 symposia – Rebecca Brown, MD's presentation on Recognizing and Overcoming the Barriers to Health Care in the Hispanic/Latino Community.
• 10-4-03 Soy Unica Soy Latina answers why and how our Hispanic girls' initiative is taking place.
• 5-06 symposia – Gloria Milord's presentation highlights important Hispanic/Latino cultural considerations.
• 5-06 symposia – Jorge Perez's presentation on Developmental Assets introduces the value in engaging in a proven effective model for positive youth development.
• 5-06 symposia – Rebecca Brown, MD's presentation includes findings from Hispanic focus groups and demographic updates to her 2003 presentation.
• The Risk & Protective factors handout informs individuals on how this best practices prevention model is aligned with Hispanic Latino issues and needs. Click here for handout.

Somos Únicos, Somos Latinos "Educate to Elevate" Conference DVD Presentation

Click here for English version.

Click here for Spanish version.

Members

This document provides a list of members and their contact information that is current as of 6-12-2007. Click here to view the member list.

Member website links

ASAP Center
http://www.asapcenter.org/

Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati
www.bigsforkids.org 

Su Casa - Hispanic Center of Cincinnati
http://catholiccharitiesswo.org/SuCasa/

Northern Kentucky Health Department
http://www.nkyhealth.org/mx/hm.asp?id=spanish

Norwood Service League
http://www.norwoodserviceleague.org