Voces Latinas

Voces Latinas (VL) started it’s work in 2003 as part of the Western Queens HIV Care Network. A group of certified social workers in the HIV field who were also part of the Network were concerned about the high rates of HIV among women of color, particularly immigrant Latinas, as there exists a gap in services for this hard to reach population due to immigration status, documentation status, language barrier, and cultural norms. Voces Latinas saw a need for more outreach, education, advocacy and resources in Spanish for this population. VL began raising money in order to hold conferences and forums in Queens targeting immigrant Latinas living with and at risk for HIV. This was an opportunity to invite the HIV specialist to come to Queens and talk to the population at hand, as it is often impossible for these women to attend conferences often times held in English and in other parts of the country. The response to the conferences and forums was so positive that Voces Latinas began holding bi-monthly community workshops around issues placing Latinas at high risk for HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, depression, isolation, low self esteem, trauma, etc. These workshops quickly turned weekly. The workshops continue to be held weekly and also serve to provide an opportunity for Latinas to meet and provide each other emotional support and an opportunity to tell their stories, which for many of them is the first time ever openly talking about their lives.

Throughout the years Voces Latinas has been working with immigrant Latinas in Queens living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk for HIV/AIDS, we have seen the impact these women have had on one another and on their community. Immigrant Latinas have much to say about their community and their needs but are rarely given a voice to express such needs. We believe they are the best educators for their community. We believe they have strong leadership skills that need to be tapped into. With the help of our current funders (NY Women’s Foundation, NY Foundation, Union Square Awards, NYV AIDS Fund) we have been able to expand the program and train additional Promotoras. The Promotoras are the very same women who cam seeking assistance but are now in a better place in their lives where they want to give back to their community. The program trains Latinas with leadership skills while gaining a voice and mobilizing themselves in order to work toward ensuring equal access to care and treatment. Immigrant Latinas are meeting directly with city council members and state senators to express their needs as immigrants living with HIV/AIDS and at risk for HIV/AIDS and to show the true face of AIDS in the Latina community.

MISSION | Voces Latinas aims to reduce the rate of HIV transmission among immigrant Latinas by empowering, educating and providing leadership and advocacy training to enable them to make healthier decisions for themselves and their families. Through collaborative relationships, we connect immigrant Latinas with culturally and linguistically sensitive resources and services to address their immediate needs, which allows them to identify with their risks for HIV/AIDS.

GOAL | Voces Latinas’ goals are to: 1) Reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS infections among immigrant Latinas by ensuring they are informed about how their behaviors and life situations place them at risk; 2) Empower immigrant Latinas to lead and direct change that affect their lives and those of other immigrant Latinas by developing leaders, advocates and mentor, agents of change, among our community; and 3) Ensure immigrant Latinas have access to services and resources to meet their needs by connecting our emerging leaders with policy- and decision-makers to voice their issues and to fight for resources for their community, and with their immigrant Latina peers to share crucial information.