Department of Social Work
The Center for Community Health Engagement (CHE) was honored at the 30th Annual Celebration of Culture and Language
The Center for Community Health Engagement (CHE), formerly known as the Chinatown Community Learning Center, was recognized at the 30th Annual Celebration of culture and Language - Latino Network Luncheon for their efforts to positively transform the lives of homeless Latinos in Chinatown through the development of monolingual Spanish speaking psychoeducation groups, life skills classes, and education initiatives. Jacqui Smith (CHE Coordinator) and Ruth Gutierrez (former CHE intern) accepted three awards on behalf of CHE; Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Certificate of Recognition from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, and a plaque from the Latino Network of Monterey County. Gutierrez's acceptance speech encompassed the importance of developing better ways to understand and address Latino issues. In addition to the importance of advocating for policies that benefit the Latino community of monolingual Spanish speakers. This year's keynote speaker, former Major League Baseball player and lifelong Salinas resident, Ernesto "Ernie" Camacho shared interesting stories of his life and his foundation's mission to promote higher education awareness and increase sports participation among low-income youth and families in East Salinas.
The Latino Network of Monterey County produces the annual "Celebration of Culture and Language" event to commemorate another year of the organization and to acknowledge community members who are working to enhance the pathways to services for Latinos in Monterey County. Rose Luna Regalado and her colleagues at the Monterey County Department of Social Services founded the organization in the late 1980s to provide a strong support system for service providers who work with the Latino community and to find better strategies to engage Latinos in Monterey County.
CHE was honored to be recognized by this prestigious organization for their students and staff achievements. CHE is committed to the betterment of the entire community by helping homeless individuals find their voice and navigate the systematic process of obtaining housing while building the confidence and capacity to make choices.