Promotores Outreach Team Receives Spanish Imagine You Training

In December 2022, wildfires were a constant threat, and the role of secondary responders were crucial yet underrepresented. During the aftermath of the devastating Camp Fire, marginalized members of the Latine community found themselves in extreme circumstances, and needed help. Responders, like the NVCSS Promotores Outreach Team were the crucial linkage to fire recovery services for the Latine community affected by the Camp Fire.

These Promotores assist in translation, advocacy, trauma-informed support services for those fire survivors. Continuing to provide this  support had taken a toll on the mental health and wellbeing of the Promotores and others serving to help Latine community members recover. Facing immigration trauma, loss of identity, loss of family structure, as well as other coping challenges of these Camp Fire survivors left the responders looking for guidance and assistance. 

This is where Imagine You stepped in, and provided an all-Spanish Imagine You Training to build the skills and foster the resilience of these Promotores. The Promotores learned how to best utilize Imagine You tolls, boosting their own resilience and reducing the suffering of the Latine Camp Fire survivors. The 19 participants in this training came from Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, Butte County Behavioral Health, Sutter County Behavioral Health, and Modoc County Behavioral Health. 

Here is a quote from participant Norma S. Lacy, Assistant Director of Community-Based Programs, Northern Valley Catholic Social Services:

“Mental health is still stigmatized in the Latine community. Immigration trauma already causes a complete loss of identity and familiarity in families. Furthermore, immigrants are left without the proper tools or resources to help them cope with new environments that transition leaves deep scars. In addition, the layered impact of the Camp Fire and  COVID-19 pandemic has created a much-needed dialogue within the community expressing the need for mental health support services. However, many survivors continue to suffer in silence due to being uninsured, a shortage of Spanish-speaking counselors, and fear of Public Charges or information sharing if they utilize low-cost services. Creating trauma-informed, mental health and wellbeing skills will offer Latine Camp Fire survivors the ability to thrive as they continue to navigate their recovery process after their many losses.”

 Imagine You would like to thank the generous support from North Valley Community Foundation’s Butte Strong Fund: