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PARTNERS | HEALTHY CITY | HOW HEALTHY | VISION | SUMMIT | PRIORITIES | FUNCTIONS | CITY OF FALL RIVER |
For the past six months, the
Outreach and Education Program of the
Massachusetts
Association of Portuguese Speakers has supported and outreach worker
to Fall River street people, including the homeless and professional sex
workers, who are not likely to avail themselves of health services in
clinics and private doctors' offices. Susana Ponte is employed locally
by the
Seven Hills
Behavioral Health/PYCO
(formerly the Portuguese Youth Cultural Organization) to befriend
Portuguese-speaking people on the streets of Fall River and to offer
health information, referrals and assistance to reduce the spread of
hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other diseases that might affect this
population. While most of her work takes place in local shops, stores
and restaurants, some of her time is spent with a member of the STEP
Outreach Team from the Center for Human Services in New Bedford going to
local bars that are known to be frequented by sex workers. This
difficult but important work helps to reduce the rapidly rising
incidence of chronic illnesses among this vulnerable population. Further
information about the program can be obtained by calling Susana at
508-679-0962. |
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(Top row) Susana meets with many people just by spending time in local coffee shops where she encounters many of her clients on an informal basis. (Middle row, left) Susana meets once a week with clients of the Habit Management methadone clinic. (Middle row, right) Susana talks with one of the proprietors of a bakery that is frequented by Brazilian immigrants, many of whom are unaware of their ability to access local medical services. (Bottom row) Susana talks with Maria of the Brasil Coffee Shop on Pleasant Street who helps her by giving Susana's business card to people who inquire about local social services.
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