Today' s Episode honors Guillermina Porras, a Community Health Educator and Health Promotor from the Farmworker Clinic, Salud Para La Gente in Watsonville, California. Guillermina started as a Health Promotor, "Promotora". Promotoras have been in existence for decades, recruited by Community Health Clinics and nonprofits to help organizations reach out to communities that may be reluctant to seek care or help, due to language and immigration status. Guillermina, who came to the United States as a Farmworker, was recruited to help educate Farmworkers in HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention. Although she was a bit shy and reluctant to talk about sex and safe sex practices, she quickly became a community leader in HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention to the Farmworker communities. Guillermina has worked for over 33 years as a Health Educator and Promotor and continues her work today on Covid19 Prevention in migrant camps, churches and the agricultural fields.
Guillermina Porras represents community health advocates who are recruited from communities to help Community Health Centers and Nonprofits reach individuals and communities who are reluctant to seek help,
Community Health Promotors are essential health providers and can provide essential information and education to communities .
During the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Guillermina became a disaster response worker for the Clinic and distributed water, food and clothing to Farmworkers and the Homeless living on the river banks.
Mayor Oscar Rios from Watsonville provides translation and insights into Guillermina's contributions to the Health of communities in Watsonville, California.