posted October 17, 2007
Several local organizations have joined forces with Chattanooga State’s La Plaza Comunitaria, Spanish Department and Adult Education Department to hold “The Latino Health Fair Binational Health Week” on Sunday, from 1-5 p.m. at the St. Andrew’s Center.
The St. Andrew’s Center is located in the Highland Park area at 1918 Union Ave., behind Highland Park Baptist Church on Bailey Avenue, and next to Tennessee Temple University.
Free health screenings will be available. Translators will also be available.
The purpose of the event is to provide medical information and testing to members of the Latino community who may not have access to medical care and health education in their native language.
Mirtha Jones, director of La Plaza Comunitaria, said, “Even though this Health Fair is oriented toward Spanish speakers, because of the language barrier, everyone who would like to participate and be tested is welcome.”
Mrs. Jones wants participants to feel free to take advantage of the services provided at the Health Fair. “All information taken by the Health Department will be maintained in strict confidence,” she said.
The list of sponsors for the Latino Health Fair reads like a virtual “Who’s Who” in Chattanooga outreach and medical education. La Paz de Dios, Southern Adventist University, Hamilton County Health Department, Chattanooga CARES, Girls, Inc., Renovación Conyugal, Epilepsy Foundation, Public Guardian Volunteer Program, and Southeast Tennessee Migrants Education Program, TENNder CARE, Catholic Dioceses of East Tennessee, United Way, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Southeast Tennessee Council for HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention, Channels of Love Ministries, Girl Scouts of America, and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee are among the many participants.
La Plaza Comunitaria has enabled Chattanooga State to expand its outreach in the Hispanic Community. The program is “abroad education” for Mexican young adults and other Hispanics. Participants attend classes free of charge.
The program at La Plaza reaches participants at their educational level, so they can enhance their career and educational potential. There is basic instruction in reading and writing in Spanish. More advanced students learn math, social sciences, natural sciences, computer literacy and English.
The English classes are part of Chattanooga State’s Adult Education ESL program. The goal is for participants to ultimately complete courses necessary for an elementary and secondary education certificate that will be valid in their country of origin. In addition, they can prepare for a GED diploma.
For more information about La Plaza Comunitaria, contact Mirtha Jones at 697-2514.
The Mexican government sponsors La Plaza Comunitaria through its regional consulates. The corresponding consulate for Tennessee is in Atlanta, where The Honorable Remedios Gómez-Arnau is the Consul General.
Chattanooga State’s Adult Basic Education Program offers standard adult education and GED classes, GED practice tests, basic literacy classes, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
All classes are free of charge. Classes are offered a variety of days, times, and locations, with both day and evening classes available. The program is open to adults 17 years of age and older.
For further details contact the Adult Education Department at 697-2529 or 643-0108.
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