Elderly Latino Programs
Communities United Supporting the Latino Elderly
Comunidades Unidas Apoyando a Envejeciéntes
(“Communities United/Communidades Unidas”)
A part of CARIE LINE, The Comunidades Unidas mission was to empower Hispanic elders through relationship building, mobilization of community leaders, education and consultation, and facilitation of access to needed services. Its goal was to build a bridge linking Hispanic elders with services designed to meet their health care and other needs, helping them to overcome barriers to those services. Communidades Unidas was staffed by two bilingual-bicultural advocates who helped Latino elders access and navigate services and benefits to promote their health and independence. CARIE received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Initiatives Funding Partners to start this program. On a weekly basis, Communidades Unidas Advocates were available at several sites throughout the City of Philadelphia where Latino Elders congregate to provide in person options counseling and advocacy. The bi-lingual/bi-cultural advocates were also available via telephone.