Make the Road New York works to guarantee equal rights, access, and improved healthcare for the 2.5 million New Yorkers with limited English proficiency. We provide one-on-one assistance with health insurance and food stamp enrollment, hospital bill negotiation, health system navigation, nutrition education and emergency food services, Community Health Worker training and services, and HIV testing referrals.
Each year, we enroll 3,500 people in health insurance, and help over 500 individuals navigate the health system including fighting unlawful refusals by insurers to cover treatment, and negotiating the elimination or reduction of debilitating hospital bills. Our food pantries reach over 5,000 people every month. Community members register for free wellness programs at MRNY centers, including group fitness, nutrition classes, and cooking demonstrations; and learn nutrition and healthy cooking from our community garden.
We offer one of the few bilingual health and safety trainings in New York for workers in a variety of industries, from cleaning to construction. Our Community Health Worker Training (CHW) program prepares students with the skills needed to become CHWs in NYC, and connects students with internship opportunities as well as health job placement assistance. CHWs conduct home visits for children with asthma, which disproportionately affects our communities, providing instruction to parents for managing the condition. CHWs help families identify asthma triggers (like dust and mold), teach them how to use non-toxic cleaning solutions and/or support them in seeking repairs from landlords. CHWs also assist parents in ensuring that their children take their medicines correctly.
Our peer-to-peer health promoters program leverages the leadership and social networks of our members in order to reach and educate a broad spectrum of community members, connecting them to our health access, healthy living, and legal support services. Through this innovative program, community members (or promotoras) work as peer counselors, helping 2,500 people annually sign up for food stamps and learn healthy behaviors.
- We have improved disease prevention, early disease detection, and nutrition for 20,000+ community members through direct benefits and health insurance enrollment, HIV testing, and health education.
- Over 11,000 individuals have health insurance because we enrolled them under the Affordable Care Act.
- Our Community Health Worker training program prepares community members for better jobs in the healthcare field.
- Community Health Workers help 300 families improve their children’s health each year through home visits and culturally competent health counseling.
In the park, on the street, and in hospital waiting rooms, Blanca Palomeque counsels immigrants on their right to access healthcare and helps them sign up for food stamps. She refers families to our health insurance enrollment program, gives nutrition advice, and connects individuals to our Community Health Workers to improve their health.
Originally from Ecuador, Blanca used to work as a housecleaner, using toxic chemicals. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, we helped her navigate the health insurance system. When she recovered, she was determined to help her community. “This is my mission: to help,” she says, reflecting on her work as a Health Promotora for MRNY.
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