Promotores Project

[blockquote text=”I felt like we are finally bringing results to our community and our voices are being heard.” show_quote_icon=”yes”]

– Reflections from a Promotor

In September 2016, Eastside Pathways brought the Promotores Project to the Eastside to address the need for authentically engaging the local Hispanic community. Eight Hispanic community members—Bellevue residents representing a mix of ages, nationalities, and genders—were selected for training and certification as promotores. Their role was to act as liaisons for information, education, and outreach between families and organizations.

After initial training, the promotores chose to develop and conduct surveys asking community members about needs and issues around housing, education, and healthcare. They also identified current levels of knowledge in areas of high interest and need within the community. The survey report was presented at a community event in April 2017.

In January 2018, the project found a new home with the launch of the NISO Promotores Program. Alma Gonzalez, principal and director of NISO, was a lead Promotor and spent over six months convening community members to develop a mission, vision and set of services that NISO will now offer to the community.