CHisPA’s goal is to empower Latino families and individuals to achieve their full potential as productive members of the Rhode Island community.

Description:
The Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy (CHisPA) is the only bilingual Latino community-based non-profit organization located in Providence, Rhode Island, dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latino families and individuals by advocating on their behalf and by providing a variety of educational, financial education, health education and disease prevention, and social services/case management programs, and services.

In order to achieve our goals CHisPA have developed the following programs:

• Direct Client Services: CHisPA provides individual community members with assistance in areas such as accessing health insurance and social services, crime prevention, domestic violence, and substance abuse referral. CHisPA is currently developing the first substance abuse prevention after school program for Latina/o youth in the state of Rhode Island. Case management assessment is conducted to identify individuals and family’s needs. Staff also collaborates and network with substance abuse, domestic violence, labor, worker’s compensation, Department of Human Services, Department of Children, Youth and Family, as well as court related issues and unemployment cases.

• Health Education and Disease Prevention: Promotores de Salud/Health Promoters: Promotores receive intensive training in community and health outreach. Promotores de Salud conduct outreach in the community and provide vital health information on topics such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS prevention, HIV Vaccine Communication Campaign, nutrition, and access to health care. Currently Promotores are providing education and prevention on: prostate cancer, nutrition and heart diseases, elderly health issues and domestic violence. Some of these educational programs are provided for youth – at – risk after school hours.

• Educational and Financial Programs:

o The Bridge School: The Bridge School is an alternative school for Providence youth – at - risk suspended from their neighborhood schools or released from the RI Training School. The Bridge School staff work to prepare students to re-enter the public school system. This program has a seventy nine percent (79%) success rate.
o English as a Second Language Program: CHisPA provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for youth and adults who are English language learners, and is currently developing computer education as an after school program, Spanish Literacy, and GED components.
o Financial Education Program: CHisPA provides services and assistance to Latino and non-Latino individuals to file their income Tax return forms and to obtain their individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). In addition, CHisPA provides assistance to individuals during non-tax season to solve issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and assistance with credit problems and identity theft. CHisPA also provides financial literacy classes in partnership with the RI Small Business Development Center of Johnson & Wales University. CHisPA is currently developing the Latino Workforce Development Conference where employers, small business owners, employees, prospective employees, and interested stakeholders can share information and coordinate strategies for job training, and job placement for all Latino communities, in order to aid eliminate poverty within the Latino community of Rhode Island by promoting and advocating job opportunities for Latinos of all ages.
o CHisPA Informa/CHisPA Informs Radio Program: CHisPA’s weekly radio program airs on Poder 1110 AM on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Approximately 25,000 listeners tune in and receive information about issues that impact the Latino community of RI.

History:
The Center for Hispanic Policy & Advocacy -CHisPA- formerly, the Hispanic Social Services Association was founded in 1986 and is a 501c3 organization located in the heart of Elmwood area. In 1993, CHisPA acquired a building named the Juanita Sanchez Center, to house its offices, provide office space for community organizations and serve as a meeting place for cultural, educational and social service organizations.

Contact people:

Carolyn Campos, General Manager, (401) 467-0111, (email) Dahiana Rodriguez, Program Director, (401) 467-0111, (email)

Address:

421 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907 (See a map)

Directions:

Directions I – 95 South: Take 95 South to Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue). Stay straight and follow access road – Service Road Number 7 - along highway. At the third traffic light there is a YMCA on the corner.. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 21 & 22, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families, Helping People in Crisis, Building Adult & Neighborhood Independence
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	Yes
What type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)(3)