Tag Archives: Latinoax Collaborative

Hispanic Heritage Photovoices Displayed at Sana Sana Colita de Rana Event

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Beginning on September 22nd and finishing on October 20th, the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity launched their 4-part Hispanic Heritage Photovoice series. This series celebrates Hispanic Heritage month by sharing how one’s family traditions, stories, and/or values connect an individual to their Hispanic heritage. This Photovoice series was particularly impactful because it was our first Spanish Photovoice since the re-launch of Photovoice in 2025. This series was facilitated by our longstanding community partner, Jose Luis Aguirre, who also facilitates our Spanish Parent Project courses. In addition, this series was very important for our Health Ambassador Program as it served as the final course (5 out of the 11 training offerings) for our prospective Health Ambassadors to become official Health Ambassadors. During graduation, we had family guests join and view the final Photovoices.

Now more than ever, it is vital that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage and culture to honor the importance that cultural values and identity plays in one’s behavioral health. For this reason, on Saturday, November 15th, we displayed these Photovoices at our 12th annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana event hosted by our BHRS ODE Health Equity Initiative, Latino/a/x Collaborative. Translated in English and Spanish, the Photovoices successfully promoted the Latino/a/x Collaborative’s mission to enhance health and wellness within the Latino/a/x community in San Mateo County. These final projects were displayed at the event, amplifying Hispanic Heritage while decreasing the stigma associated with seeking behavioral and recovery services and sharing lived experiences.

Written by Nicoletta Kelleher (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

2025 San Mateo County Cesar Chavez Celebration: Estamos Contigo

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On March 28, 2025, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity and Equity, had the honor of partnering with Ayudando Latinos a Sonar (ALAS) and Voices of Recovery to host the San Mateo County Cesar Chavez Event. The event celebrated Cesar Chavez’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of people of color, ensuring they have the dignity and fairness to earn, live, and work.

Inspired by Chavez’s legacy, this event aimed to advance equity by enhancing access to community services, especially behavioral health and recovery services, for the Latine community and other marginalized groups. The event also sought to inspire participants to continue Chavez’s work and efforts for equity under this year’s theme: “Building Solidarity and Creating Change / Construyendo solidaridad y creando cambio.”

This year’s event was an act of love, gratitude, and respect for our San Mateo County farm workers, who work tirelessly in all conditions to support our communities. The program featured impactful presentations, including remarks from Sandra Sension, ALAS Farmworker and Essential Worker Program Director; Supervisor Ray Mueller; the ALAS Mental Health Team; Dr. Tia Bell, BHRS Health Equity Coordinator; and others, who emphasized the profound impact of our farmworkers and expressed our deep gratitude for their dedication.

Approximately 250 participants enjoyed live music, visited behavioral health resource tables, learned about our BHRS Health Ambassador Program, and savored a delicious meal provided by Fattoria E Mare, Half Moon Bay.

Written by Dr Maria Lorente Foresti, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Director

10/26 11th Annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana

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It is that wonderful time of year! 🐸 The LC is preparing to host their annual community event to support our very diverse Latino/a/x communities. This year our theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” The event will take place on Saturday, October 26th 12:30-3:30PM at the Mervin G. Morris Boys and Girls Club, 1109 Hilton Street RWC. It is a free, family event to promote behavioral health and reduce stigma, the event will be held in Spanish.

Please help us spread the word by sharing with your clients, friends and family. If you’d like to volunteer please contact Frances Lobos at FLobos@smcgov.org for more information.  🐸❤️

11/4- 10th Annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana

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Please join us for our 10th Annual Sana Sana, Colita de Rana event that is co-sponsored by BHRS’ Latino/a/x Collaborative, ALAS, Spiritualiy Initiative, Native Indigenous People’s Initiative, and BHRS’ Office of Diversity & Equity.

Date/ time: Saturday, November 4th, 2023 from 11AM-3PM

Location: South San Francisco High School (400 B Street, South San Francisco, Ca).

About the event: This is a family-friendly event to promote health and wellness among our Latino/a/x community in SMC. This event will be in Spanish with English interpretation for main events.

This year’s theme is “10 Años Sañando Juntos / Ten Years of Healing Together” to recognize our tenth year of holding this event and to reflect on how far we have come as a Latino/a/x Collaborative community.

We are proud to share that our keynote speaker will be Dra. Estela Garcia. Dra. Garcia has received numerous leadership recognition awards for her commitment to Chicano, Latino/a/x community. Additionally, we will have on-site health screenings, food, music, resource booths, and so much more.

This event is dedicated in memory of Hector Robles-Moncada, co-chair and co-leader of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sana Sana. Hector Robles Moncada, who passed earlier this year.

For more information about this event visit SMCHealth.org/2023SanaSana

The Latino Collaborative Honors Diverse Community with New Name

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Hola Communidad, we have big news! As one of the Health Equity Initiatives (HEI) within San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), the Latino Collaborative is now the Latino/a/x Collaborative.

Names are more than just names. Names reflect what we stand for and who we are. Therefore, it is with great orgullo (pride) that our members and leadership share this announcement. This re-brand acknowledges and embraces the diverse gender identities within our Latinx community, promoting inclusivity and respect for all individuals. Significantly, this shift reflects a commitment to recognizing and valuing the multifaced experience and expression of gender among and within Latinx identified individuals Latin American and Hispanic people.

Our Latino/a/x Collaborative strives to incorporate inclusive language into our communications to create an environment where everyone feels recognized, respected, and valued. We invite you to share your voice and support our efforts to uplift the voices of the Latino/a/ax community at our HEI monthly meetings. Meetings are currently the 4th Tuesday of the month from 3:30 pm to 5 pm via zoom. Additionally, BHRS clients, family members, and community members who attend an HEI meeting can receive a stipend for their time and expertise. For more information visit us at smchealth.org/latinoax Gracias!

Written by Gloria Cahuich Gonzalez, Co-Chair of Latino/a/x Collaborative