Story by Diana Saleh. Photos provided ROSAesROJO.
Upon finding that cancer is the number one cause of death among Hispanic women in the country, Aidée became passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience. As a result, Aideé launched ROSAesROJO as a blog designed to accompany Hispanic women and their communities on their journey to good health.
ROSAesROJO delivers health and well-being education to Hispanic women and their families in North Texas and the U.S. by creating positive health communities where culturally tailored and accessible chronic disease prevention programs are at the center of their work. The organization uses four pillars to drive equitable whole health behavioral change: Nutrition, Mental Health, Physical Activity, and Empowered Health.
The organization envisions dismantling income, language, and education barriers to health and well-being. Their goal is to lead Hispanic women to live healthier lives and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases in the community.
In 2016, ROSAesROJO formally became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to expand its impact. It introduced “The Rojo Way,” its first community wellness program, aimed at providing culturally relevant and accessible wellness education. In 2022, the organization took another step forward by launching the “SuperVive Comunidad,” an app-based online wellness community, as its second community wellness program.
Today, ROSAesROJO is staffed by a dedicated team of seven individuals, supported by ten board members and over 40 volunteers, all committed to building healthier lives within the Hispanic community.
ROSAesROJO primarily focuses on chronic disease prevention, which is a significant concern in the U.S. and disproportionately affects Hispanic populations. Some key statistics illustrate the challenges:
The organization recognizes that social determinants of health play a crucial role in these health disparities. Language barriers, lack of social capital, low income, and cultural factors all contribute to the challenges faced by Hispanic communities.
As a result, ROSAesROJO has developed into an organization with a clear mission and vision to address these disparities head-on. Aideé has developed two core programs to address these challenges:
Program #1: El Camino Rojo (The Rojo Way) El Camino Rojo consists of 23 hours of wellness education delivered entirely in Spanish and tailored to Hispanic culture. The program covers various aspects, including nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and empowered health. It focuses on simplifying complex health topics and creating positive networks of support. In particular, it empowers Hispanic women to take charge of their health and become leaders in their communities.
Program #2: SuperVive Comunidad Launched in 2022, SuperVive Comunidad is an app-based wellness community offering asynchronous and synchronous content to empower the health and well-being of Hispanics. It provides a range of resources, from podcast episodes and wellness videos to live classes and mentorship. SuperVive Comunidad leverages technology to create a supportive community that is accessible to a broader audience.
Hispanic women are often seen as a gateway to family and community. In Hispanic culture, women are often “givers” and typically act as the decision-makers regarding family well-being. ROJAesROJO accompany them in learning to give effectively, taking care of themselves first, and then guiding their families and communities in building healthy behaviors as well. As a result, they become healthier and leaders in community care.
ROSAesROJO relies on a variety of funding sources, including grants and donations from organizations and foundations such as the Hispanic100, the CDC Foundation, The Roddenberry Foundation, Social Venture Partners, and many others. The organization’s financial support is essential for the development and sustainability of its programs.
ROSAesROJO has already made a significant impact on the communities it serves. According to their 2022 Annual Report:
ROSAesROJO collaborates with numerous organizations in North Texas, including Bachman Lake Together, Wesley Rankin Community Center, Avance North Texas, Hope Clinic McKinney, Catholic Charities, and many others. These partnerships enable ROSAesROJO to extend its reach and serve a broader audience within the Hispanic community.
The organization has adapted to changing needs and challenges by developing innovative solutions like the SuperVive Comunidad app. This digital platform allows ROSAesROJO to reach a wider audience and provide support even in challenging circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to download the app, you can use this link for iPhone, or this link for Android.
ROSAesROJO is an inspiring organization that has made a significant impact in addressing health disparities among Hispanic women and their families. By providing culturally relevant education and support, it empowers women to lead healthier lives, ultimately benefiting their communities and contributing to a healthier and more equitable society.
If you would like to get involved or learn more, you can do so on the ROSAesROJO website.
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