Click "Enter" to submit the form.

Activist for National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health march

6 Organizations to Support During Women’s History Month

As Women’s History Month comes to an end this year, we’re sure you’ve told your mamis, abuelas, tias, and primas how much you appreciate them. However, if you’re still wondering how you can make an even bigger difference, check out these Latina-focused organizations that are worth putting your money towards.

1. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH)

The movement behind women’s reproductive rights has been steadily growing through the years and the NLIRH has contributed to helping latinas fight against these issues. The organization, established in 1994, takes pride in being the only national reproductive justice organization that focuses on neglected problems specifically for latinas, such as:

  • Abortion Access and Affordability
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Equity
  • Immigrant Women’s Health and Rights
https://www.facebook.com/NLIRH/photos/a.195945603415/10156315489858416/?type=3&theater

Latina Watch spoke with Senior Director of Development Dalissa Vargas, who explained more about NLIRH’s mission and ways to get involved:

NLIRH is a reproductive justice organization, which means we are working with Latina/x communities to harness their innate power and support their leadership to fight against the injustice and disparities of access our communities regularly face … In 2018, 192 individuals were trained across our Latina Advocacy Networks. If you are passionate about reproductive justice you can be active on social media and help spread the word and amplify our efforts and work across platforms. Our national policy team in Washington, DC is often engaged in actions and visits to both members of Congress and actions at the Supreme Court. We always need people willing to stand with us in solidarity of those efforts. People can also engage in efforts that support building awareness about NLIRH whether it’s hosting small events or engaging in conversations across their personal networks.

Make a difference by becoming one of the 2,800+ activists or donating here!

2. Curémonos

According to the American Cancer Society, an astonishing 1 in 10 Hispanic women have a probability of developing breast cancer. Although there are ways to help treat and even curar the disease, there are many women who do not have the resources to educate themselves on important information related to breast cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/Curemonos/photos/a.1103324843039418/1103325289706040/?type=3&theater

Curémonos is an organization that focuses on supporting medically-underserved women fighting against the disease. Their approach is to educate “the community about the importance of early breast cancer detection, raising awareness among healthcare providers about the barriers medically-underserved women face in the healthcare system, and guiding medically-underserved women with breast health concerns through the process of diagnosis and treatment.”

Make a difference by donating or volunteering here!

3. Mil Mujeres

https://www.facebook.com/milmujeres.org/photos/a.653397278013887/653401094680172/?type=3&theater

Ever since the gender equality movement started in the 19th century, women all over the world have fought for the social justice they rightfully deserve. Since 2007, Mil Mujeres has been providing Latinas with legal services. All the individuals involved in Mil Mujeres “specialize on immigration benefits for survivors of violent crimes in the United States. Our main focus are survivors of gender-related crimes.”

You can donate or volunteer here!

4. Casa de Esperanza

https://www.facebook.com/casadeesperanzamn/photos/a.10154082584394583/10154082586024583/?type=3&theater

It was reported in 2016 that a saddening 1 in 3 Latinas have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. With 50% of Latinas not reporting the abuse, Casa de Esperanza focuses on mobilizing Latinas and Latinx communities to end domestic violence. We reached out to Kathryn Ross, Director of Development and Communications, who gave us insight on the organization:

In the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minnesota, we serve about 425 women and children each year through our Family Advocacy initiatives, which include an emergency shelter (El Refugio), a bi-lingual crisis line, and community based advocacy, where our Latina Family Advocates meet with participants wherever they feel most comfortable and assist them with whatever they need – whether it’s legal or medical services, housing applications, referrals to other service providers. Through our Fuerza Unida Community Engagement activities, we provide leadership training and support to help Latin@ adults and children become the trusted first-responders in their families, schools, places of employment, and other peer networks who know how to help others who are experiencing domestic violence […] Through our national work, we demonstrate our leadership by providing training and technical assistance across the country, research, and public policy.

Make a difference by donating or joining 50+ other volunteers here!
You can also check out DECIMOS NO MÁS for additional online resources.

5. The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc

https://www.facebook.com/chcfinc/photos/a.10150114602588132/10157738369413132/?type=3&theater

In 2017, a new research showed that the Hispanic dropout rate was at a record breaking low— decreasing from 34% in 1996 to 10% in 2016 —and the college enrollment at an all time high. An important factor to this amazing drop in percentage is the help that young Hispanic children are now receiving through different sources. One organization that focuses on supporting Hispanic children and families is the Commute for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc (CHFC). The CHCF “combines education, capacity-building and advocacy to strengthen the support system and continuum of learning for children and youth.”

Make a difference by donating, supporting or volunteering here!

6. TransLatin@ Coalition

With 22% of Latino millennials who identify themselves as LGBT, it is inevitable that hardships will be faced at some point in their life. The TransLatin@ Coalition is an organization that focuses on being the voice of and for these immigrants. The organization is formed by Trans Leaders themselves whose principles focus on altruism, respect, integrity, honesty, diversity among many other values.”The vision of TransLatin@ Coalition is to amplify education and resources to promote the empowerment of Trans leaders,“ as well as improve their quality of life.

Make a difference by donating here!

Latina Institute Curemonos Milk Mujeres Caza de Esperanza CHCF TransLatinx

A donation was made on behalf of the Latina Watch team.

Karen Hernández is a certified translator with a passion for beauty, food and culture. Born and raised in Perú, she has always had an interest in different languages and values. When she isn’t translating, you can find her watching the Celtics, at soccer games, concerts, or cuddling her cat. Follow her on Instagram @xkarencitaa

© All rights reserved by LatinaWatch LLC.