The Community Wellness Initiative
The Community Wellness Initiative, has been in operation since 1995. The goal of this initiative is to improve the Quality of Life of all people in Salem-Keizer, by providing supportive services to traditionally under-served population groups, particularly Latinos, so they may be successful and able to address barriers in their life that prevent them and their families from being socially and financially Self-Sufficient.

Our programs and services aim to create a Safe and Healthy community in which all Children and Youth in our area can thrive and have the opportunity to grow up to be healthy adults, thus helping to maintain a high Quality of Life for all Oregonians.

The success of Latino families (and of all of members of our Salem-Keizer community) will contribute to better educational outcomes for all children, better economic wellbeing for the community, by decreasing crime, poverty, and blight from our neighborhoods.

Addressing the Emergency Needs of our clients allows them to maintain or create stability in their lives, which will in turn be more conducive to success in other areas. Families and children need first safety, shelter, and sustenance; but these must be followed with services and reinforced with skills that will eliminate or reduce the need for repeat emergency services, contributing to the advancement of the family and the individual.

It is our reality, however, that there are many barriers standing in the way of the full integration and Inclusion of Latinos, Low Income individuals, and all People of Color into the Salem-Keizer community. These barriers must be first understood, and ultimately addressed in order to achieve our vision of inclusion.

 Our relationship with the Latino community means we are uniquely positioned to share our expertise about the needs, challenges, and strenghts of our clients to the mainstream community, our agency and government partners; while at the same time placing the responsibility upon us of advocating for the inclusion and success of all people in Salem-Keizer, and in Oregon.

What is Social Inclusion and Self-Sufficiency?

Social Exclusion refers to the process in which certain populations are excluded, alienated, or disenfranchised from the benefits of social and economic development based on their race, gender, ethnicity, or disabilities.

Social Inclusion, its converse, is based on the belief that we all fare better when no one is left to fall too far behind; it is about reducing inequalities by ensuring that support reaches those who need it most, and it incorporates multiple dimensions of well-being.

Self-Sufficiency is what Mano a Mano envisions as the personal impact on our clients of Social Inclusion, that is, that all will have the opportunity and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social, and cultural activities which are considered the societal norm.

What is Cultural Competency?

Cultural competence in organizations and institutions refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures.

Organizations must develop a set of values and principles, and demonstrate behaviors, attitudes, policies and structures that enable them to work effectively with people of different cultures. These values and principles must be applied and integrated in all aspects of policy making, administration, practice, service delivery, systematically involving its clients, the community, and key stakeholders.

Achieving Cultural Competency requires a complete anaylisis of the entire organization, from its Board of Directors down to the every staff person. Cultural Competency is not a result of, nor is it related to, Affirmative Action or Political Correctness.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

To help maintain or create stable family environment for our clients, we provide Emergency Food Assitance through two food banks, limited financial assistance (primarily to single mothers), as well as Crisis Services through Information and Referrals for our clients to access existing resources.

We provide educational programs intented to address the basic educational barriers our clients face. These include programs such as Financial Literacy, U.S. Citizenship, English Language classes and tutoring, Computer Literacy.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mano a Mano is committed to helping our clients to achieve healthy lifestyles, at a personal level, and to improve the overall physical and social health of our community. These includes our support of programs such as Tae Kwon Do, Aerobics and Yoga, Nutrition and support groups through projects such as Y.E.P. (Youth Empowerment Project) and LEAP (Latina Education and Advancement Project).

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

Youth is a key focus of Mano a Mano Family Center. Our organization has been using peer and adult mentors to promote Leadership Development, address gang involvement, promote good citizenship and active community participation in our area since 1995. Through the Youth Empowerment Project and the L.U.S. Youth Organization (Latinos Unidos Siempre).

In addition to community service projects and a drop-in center for Latino youth, we support after school and leadership clubs at Stephens, Houck, Waldo, and Walker Middle Schools; McKay, and North Salem High Schools, as well as Chemeketa Community College.

Since 2005, participating High School Seniors in our programs have been able to maintain an average 85% graduation rate.