Vinnie Velasquez, first on the right, has been working in the Human Services field for the past twenty-three years with a focus on addiction, HIV, and overall Preventive Health with high-risk minority populations.

Beginning in January 2010, Vinnie helped to hire and train the clinic’s ‘health care navigators’ (Navegantes) to improve the ability of our uninsured, Spanish-speaking and minority patients to access free health care and other free social programs available in our community. Vinnie is passionate about improving access to care and has won a “Women of Achievement” award in 2010 and the Bank of America “Neighborhood Hero” award in 2011 for her health care advocacy work on behalf of Clínica Esperanza patients.

Jennifer Jimenez, second from right, is twenty-four years old and from the Dominican Republic. Jennifer has lived in Rhode Island for the past six years.  She has an Associates degree for Medical Assistant, is working as a Medical Assistant, and has experience in health and wellness. Jennifer was interested in becoming a Health Care Navigator because she found that the Navegantes program is related to her ongoing work. She says that she “loves to work and help people”. Jennifer is bilingual and bicultural (Latina).

Luz Betancor, second from left, is a 44 year old woman from Colombia. She is bilingual and bicultural. She immigrated to the United States more than thirty years ago, in 1974. She has a number of certificates in health care, including Master Diabetes Trainer in Spanish and has extensive experience in Outreach, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Nutrition and she is a Fitness/ Wellness instructor. Luz states that since she came from a poor country she knows “first hand the needs of others and that is the passion that motivates her”. More specifically, she recalled the times when her family members were ill and there was no way to get help: she hopes to help others to overcome obstacles to getting health care. Luz is well-known at the clinic for her compassionate care and attention to our patients’ needs.

Navegante Ingrid Castillo (first on left) is a former business owner from Guatemala who moved to Rhode Island about 10 years ago. While she had no prior experience in the health field, she has become an avid student of health topics and is now a certified diabetes eductator and a Fitness/ Wellness instructor. She worked with CHISPA and Progreso Latino prior to joining the Navegantes program. She is currently coordinating the “patient advocacy” program at the clinic, making sure that the Clinic is able to get feedback from patients about the care that is provided. She enjoys advocating for patients, since she knows from first hand experience the importance of staying healthy and the frustrations of navigating the health care system as a “English as a Second Language” Speaker.

The newest Navegante is Rosa Roman (not pictured). Rosa started as a volunteer at the clinic and quickly became a member of the Navegantes team during the summer of 2011 because of her positive attitude and willingness to assist patients. She is learning about all aspects of patient care from her colleagues and has rapidly become one of the most efficient Navegantes in terms of improving our patients’ access to free care in local hospitals. She is fearless and always eager to help.

Gone but not forgotten! Former Navegante Antonio Lombardi is an 18 year old Italian-American, Rhode Island native from Olneyville. He has extensive experience working with the homeless, and has been working in youth ministries in Rhode Island for the last few years. He is working at the free breakfast for the homeless program at Iglesia Esperanza; although he does not speak Spanish, he has extensive experience with outreach work and looks forward to adding the Navegantes experience to his repertoire.

He joined the Navegantes because he “loves to educate people so that their lives are more on target”. His dream is to make it possible for everyone to have equal opportunities in life.

Former Navegante Santos Zacarias is a 43 year old Guatemalan who has been in the United States since 1989. He has had a very difficult life which includes some substance abuse in the past. Mr. Zacarias is currently working as an outreach coordinator in HIV and Hepatitis, his specialty is working with ex-offenders.  Mr. Santos stated that since he was given an opportunity to change his life he feels the need to reach-out to others who face similar experiences.

Former Navegante Elaine Waite, is an African American woman who is a breast cancer survivor. She experienced first hand the problems that poor people have to access health care. Because of that experience, she is interested in becoming a Navegante and learning how to help others get better access to health care.