ABOUT US
MISSION & HISTORY
The community-based organizations (CBOs) that are part of the Immigrant Refugee Coalition (IRC) have risen to meet the need of immigrant and refugee communities during the COVID-19 pandemic through a variety of activities working directly with Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latino communities. These include monolingual Spanish, Hmong, Lao, Punjabi, Arabic, Khmer, Ukrainian, Efk, Mixteco, Triqui, Zapoteco, Tlapaneco, and Mam speaking communities. Each partner organization has deep experience utilizing the Promotora or Community Health Worker Model in their work and has established deep and meaningful relationships with the communities each represents, including elders and other community leaders.
Over the last ten years, the IRC has worked together addressing social determinants of health in Fresno County and quickly shifted to function as a COVID-19 response team for immigrant and refugee populations. Together, the IRC developed the COVID-19 Equity Project provides a pathway to meaningful employment for immigrant and refugee communities while ensuring that the most isolated have access to the information and resources they need to keep themselves and their families safe from COVID-19.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Fresno Building Healthy Communities (Fresno BHC)
Fresno Building Healthy Communities (Fresno BHC) was established in 2010 and works to foster and encourage thriving communities where all children and families can live healthy, safe, and productive lives. Fresno BHC serves as the "central table" bringing leaders together to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the community’s most pressing challenges. Fresno BHC has an established network comprising over 30 nonprofit and faith- based organizations, affecting over 97,000 lives in Fresno, California. Fresno BHC utilizes a community organizing approach to build local capacity to address social determinants of health and serves as a backbone organization with experience in marketing and communications, civic engagement, developing and sustaining coalitions, and implementing innovative policy solutions. In 2020, Fresno BHC was awarded a $6.6 million grant by the California Department of Parks and Recreation Statewide Park Program - one of two awards in Fresno County and the only in the City of Fresno.
Central Valley Health Policy Institute (CVHPI)
Central Valley Health Policy Institute (CVHPI) was established in 2005 with a mission to combine University and community resources to redress racial/ethnic, residential location, and social class inequities in health care and population health in the San Joaquin Valley. CVHPI has demonstrated a culturally responsive trans-disciplinary team approach to the evaluation of public health and other interventions, including conducting the only promotora model effectiveness study among the Latino community in the region.
Cultiva La Salud (Cultiva)
Cultiva La Salud (Cultiva) is a Latino serving organization with a long history of public health advocacy and community efforts centered on advancing health equity. Cultiva promotoras and staff are serving vulnerable elder immigrants throughout Fresno County by providing home delivery of groceries, personal hygiene products and household cleaning supplies. In addition, they provide financial assistance as well as health education. In past and present work, Cultiva has relied on promotoras as culturally and linguistically competent workers in the provision of health education as well as community organizing.
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM)
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM) was founded in 1994 and serves Arabic, Lao, Hmong, Slavic, and Khmer refugee communities throughout Fresno County. FIRM uses the Community Health Worker model in neighborhoods throughout Fresno. FIRM hosts a weekly radio show on KBIF900 to share up to date public health and benefit programs information in various languages and a bimonthly television show on Hmong TV Network.
Jakara Movement
Jakara Movement is a grassroots community-building organization working in Punjabi- speaking communities and networks. Jakara is forging a Gurmat-inspired generation through creative leadership development, community organizing, and social activism. Jakara believes a world of engaged communities, strong families, healthy individuals and inspired youth is possible.
Reading and Beyond (R&B)
Reading and Beyond (R&B) was founded in 1999 and works diligently across multiple counties in California to empower children and families to live productive, self-reliant lives. Reading and Beyond takes a two-generation approach that works with children and parents to build education, economic assets, social capital, and health and wellbeing to create economic security that passes from one generation to the next.
