Promotor/a Outreach Program
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Many marginalized populations in Utah face health disparities and barriers to well-being — they are often unfamiliar with local healthcare options and social service programs, and many fear discrimination. Recognizing the needs of this population, Holy Cross Ministries’ Promotor(as) — bilingual, bicultural outreach workers — strive to ensure that all families are healthy, safe and able to navigate complex health and social systems. Community health workers have been characterized as “bridge builders.” They play a central role in community integration and are key to every program at Holy Cross Ministries.
HCM’S PROMOTOR(A) OFFER THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT SERVICES:
Health Outreach and Case Management
HCM’s community health workers help individuals navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and other social services. Their support includes assistance with applications for CHIP/Medicaid and coverage re-enrollment forms. They provide referrals specific to clients’ needs, access to community services, assistance to families applying for social services as well as ongoing support and advocacy. For more information, please call the Health Outreach Program Manager, Rachel Townsend, at 385-237-0372.
Prenatal Classes
In order to promote healthy and informed pregnancies, HCM’s community health workers use group classes and one-on-one sessions to teach prenatal education to expectant parents. HCM also collaborates with Saint Martha’s Baby Project to provide free infant layettes to parents and caregivers. For more information, please contact Promotoras / Community Health Worker Esperanza Arias at 385-257-2422 or Ingrid Perez at 385-257-2407
Families Talking Together
FTT is a two-series workshop for Salt Lake County residents that promotes effective parent-adolescent communications among families in order to delay adolescent sexual debut.
The workshop is designed for parents with children ages 10 to 14 and is available in both English and Spanish. HCM’s FTT workshops are made possible by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the Administration for Children and Families (ACF); the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) and the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). To schedule a session, please call Promotora / Community Health Worker Yeniffer Guerrero at 385-257-2421.
This content is supported by Grant 2501UTSRAE from the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Family and Youth Services Bureau.
Niños Especiales Familias Fuertes (NEFF)
Niños Especiales Familias Fuertes (NEFF) is a bi-monthly support group for Spanish speaking parents and/or caregivers raising children and adults with specials needs. Our groups are facilitated by our Community Health Workers and provide emotional support, education, advocacy, and resources to strengthen the support to families. Esperanza Arias leads this group and can be reached at 385-257-2422.
Case Management Services for Victims of Crime
HCM’s Case Manager / Victim Advocate provides support and assistance to crime victims, identifying their needs by working closely with clients to develop safety plans and coordinate social services. Our advocate creates strategies to assist survivors toward self-sufficiency and stability during difficult times in their lives. For more information, please call Jakelinne Capella-Aponte at 385-257-2406.
Medical Debt Community Justice Advocates
Our Community Health Workers have been trained to serve as bilingual Medical Debt Community Justice Advocates, allowing them to identify medical debt issues and advise clients on how to resolve them by providing limited-scope legal advice, in an effort to increase the services we already provide. This training has been approved by the Utah State Court Office of Legal Innovation and is overseen by Community Justice Advocates of Utah (CJAU). Please contact Tatiana Mateus at 385-390-3522 or Rocio Arellano at 385-429-6690.
Legal Provider Disclosure
This service is being provided by an Alternative Legal Provider (ALP) who is not a lawyer. ALPs are not subject to the same rules as lawyers.
For more information click here.
Divulgación del Proveedor Legal
Este servicio está siendo proporcionado por un proveedor legal alternativo (ALP) que no es abogado. Los ALP no están sujetos a las mismas reglas que los abogados.
Para obtener más información, haga clic aquí.
HELP SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES
Holy Cross Ministries works to ensure that everyone is able to participate fully in this community. Many individuals and their families face barriers such as language, culture, abuse, and location. Your support helps us continue offering low-cost services to a critically underserved population.
Promotor/a OUTREACH PROGRAM STAFF
Gisella Chace
Bilingual Therapist/Counseling Program Clinical Coordinator
My fifteen years of experience as a therapist has been focused on an empowering approach with clients. I have provided many years of individual and family psychotherapy services with a strong commitment to the client’s wellbeing. Before HCM, I worked 14 years with Valley Behavioral Health’s school based program mostly in the Salt Lake area. I also served as Family Advocate in the Head Start Program for three years prior graduate school. Originally from Ecuador with a career in marketing, immigrating to a new country changed my perspective on what kind of work I wanted to pursue. I went back to school for a B.A. in Sociology, and then completed a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in Mental Health at the University of Utah. In my work and studies, I have spent many hours learning about how practices such as yoga and relaxation techniques can heal the body from trauma and stress.
My hope working with HCM is to support clients with mental health services and be part of a team that provides comprehensive services in a compassionate and responsible way.
Macarena Brandt
Bilingual Therapist
Macarena was born and raised in Chile, where she studied Psychology. She has been part of the Holy Cross Ministries team since February 2024. She is deeply committed to accompanying people in their personal growth and emotional well-being. An animal and nature lover, she values empathy and human connection as fundamental pillars of the therapeutic process. She is passionate about continuing to study and constantly updating herself to provide care based on current knowledge and good clinical practices. Her work focuses on facilitating psychotherapeutic processes from a professional, ethical, and evidence-based perspective, promoting the integral well-being of the people she serves.
Rodrigo Coloma
Community Needs Analyst
Carlos Flores
Bilingual Therapist
Carlos Flores is a mental health therapist driven by a deep commitment to empowering individuals. He holds a Master of Social Work with a focus on mental health from the University of Utah and is passionate about guiding people toward healing and helping them realize their full potential. As a father of two daughters, he is especially focused on supporting youth mental well-being and strengthening parent-child bonds. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Carlos enjoys movies, theater, museums, concerts and running. His professional goal is to “empower individuals on their journey to mental wellness.”
Kennya Casiano Barriga
Bilingual Therapist
I am a first-generation Mexican American born and raised in Utah. I have experience working with first-generation and low-income students and families to help them on their path towards higher education. I am passionate about everybody receiving an education and using resources to get them on their own unique path.
I graduated from the University of Utah with my Master’s in Social Work. I have always had a passion for serving others and working with the Latino population. These passions have led me to Holy Cross Ministries where I will be serving the Wasatch Back. Their mission and determination to support the needs of the community has allowed me the opportunity to work alongside them in this journey. I look forward to strengthening my skills and building strong connections through my work with Holy Cross Ministries.
Carolyn Jaramillo
Bilingual Therapist
Carolyn Jaramillo, MA, has over 11 years of experience providing mental health services to individuals, couples, and families in community, school, and healthcare settings in Chile and the United States. Trained as a Clinical Psychologist in Chile, she specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and the socioemotional development of children, adolescents, and adults. Carolyn has collaborated on international mental health programs, offering clinical support to people in Latin America, Central America, and the United States. She has also worked in highly vulnerable public schools and in primary healthcare, leading preventive workshops and therapeutic groups.
Originally from Chile, Carolyn is married and the mother of two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring nature, reading, and listening to music. Currently, she is part of the counseling team at Holy Cross Ministries, where she supports people in their healing, resilience, and well-being.
Rachel Townsend
Health Outreach Manager
Rachel Townsend holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Brigham Young University. She spent time doing religious and humanitarian work in Guatemala, where she learned Spanish and gained a love for serving others from all backgrounds. She is passionate about prevention initiatives and upstream approaches. Through her work in substance use addiction recovery, she also recognizes the immense need to support those who have suffered with little to no protective resources. She strongly believes that building stronger families builds stronger individuals, which builds stronger communities where we can all grow healthier together.
Rachel is a certified Family Life Coach and trained in Motivational Interviewing techniques. She currently serves as the Health Outreach Manager for the Promotora Program at Holy Cross Ministries. She loves connecting with her team and building relationships within the community. Outside of work, she loves hiking, camping, and backpacking, serving in her church community, learning about different cultures, and spending time with family and friends.
Esperanza Arias
Promotora / Community Health Worker
Esperanza Arias joined Holy Cross Ministries in April 1999. As a Promotora she helps people in the community by giving them information and referring them to the different services in the community.
Esperanza recently won the Familes Conexion award. As a Promotora Esperanza also teaches regular prenatal health classes and provides case management, support group, health access, and referral services through Holy Cross Ministries’ partnership at South Main Clinic. She also conducts home visits for seniors – giving them emotional and spiritual support.
Esperanza is the main facilitator of the program “NEFF- Niños Especiales Familias Fuertes” giving support to families with children with special needs. Esperanza was assigned to work at the South Main Clinic where she develops this program and strong relationship with parents and clinic staff.
Esperanza loves to dance, walk and spend time with her friends to talk and taste a delicious Colombia Coffee!
Jakelinne Capella-Aponte
Promotora / Victim Advocate
Jakelinne has been involved with the Sisters of the Holy Cross as a member of the Holy Cross Associates of Salt Lake City since 2015 and is currently part of their leadership group. She is an active laywoman and has engaged in different volunteer programs at the Diocese of Salt Lake City and the Cathedral of the Madeleine since 2007. She participated as a member of the Pastoral Plan Steering Committee at the diocese and as a member of the V Encuentro process, contributing to training the delegates of V Encuentro and aiding in the processes of evangelization, consultation and mission in parishes throughout Utah.
Jakelinne studied hotel administration and specialized in small business management at Externado de Colombia University in Colombia. She also has an associate degree in humanities from Salt Lake Community College. Jakelinne enjoys studying and taking courses to expand her knowledge as well as traveling to visit new places. She is also committed to promoting women to important leadership roles and supporting them as entrepreneurs.
Yeniffer Guerrero
Promotora / Community Health Worker / Doula
Yeniffer is originally from Havana, Cuba but has been in Utah for over 20 years. She loves nature, animals and is a first time mother to a spectacular baby boy.
She is a bilingual Doula and Lactation Specialist serving underserved communities in the non-profit sector. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she provides culturally sensitive support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With a strong commitment to health equity, Yeniffer empowers families with education, advocacy, and compassionate care, working collaboratively with community partners to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Estefanny Castro
Promotora / Community Health Worker
I’m Estefanny Castro, originally from Colombia, and my journey reflects a deep commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of others. I got an associate degree in food processing and currently pursuing a bachelor’s in public health, my educational path has been guided by a desire to address health disparities and empower minority communities.
I’ve dedicated my time to volunteering in various non-profit organizations. This commitment stems from my goal to serve and empower minority communities, striving to create a better life for all. It is this passion that led me to Holy Cross Ministries, where I am currently engaged in meaningful work.
The organization’s mission resonates deeply with my values, offering an opportunity to contribute directly to the well-being of communities. Through my role, I aspire to make a tangible impact, working towards a future where everyone has access to the resources needed for a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Ingrid Perez
Promotora / Community Health Worker
My name is Ingrid Perez, I am from Bogota-Colombia. I arrived in this country in 2015. Today I have a beautiful 5-year-old daughter. I like trips, concerts, podcasts. I enjoy working with communities because I find a deep sense of purpose in helping those who need it most. I find the ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of people who are facing significant challenges rewarding. Working with these communities will allow me to develop a deeper understanding of the realities and struggles they face, which in turn fosters my empathy and sensitivity towards diverse human experiences.
This job constantly challenges me to be creative to find innovative solutions and work collaboratively with others to address complex problems. Ultimately, working with communities inspires me to be an agent of positive change in my environment and to contribute significantly to the well-being of society as a whole.
Rocio Arellano
Promotora / Community Health Worker
Rocio was born in Peru, but at the age of ten, her entire family decided to move to Venezuela – a very beautiful country. Six years ago, the changing political circumstances pushed them to embark on another adventure in search of a better future. After some time living in Florida, the decision was made to relocate to Utah. Rocio has lived in Utah for a year and enjoys it, but driving in the snow is something she is still getting used to.
Tatiana Mateus
Promotora / Community Health Worker
Tatiana Mateus is an experienced legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Universidad Cooperative of Colombia, as well as certifications in Bookkeeping Clerk, Journalistic Writing, and Customer Service Management.
With a background in immigration law and customer service, Tatiana has worked as an Independent Immigration Application Preparer and a Labor Regulations Trainer. She currently contributes to Holy Cross Ministries in the Health Department, assisting the local community with managing and overcoming medical debt. Her bilingual communication skills, along with her expertise in legal and administrative tasks, including bookkeeping, significantly enhance her ability to support and serve those in need effectively.
AnaLuisa Campbell
Promotora / Community Health Worker
I was born in Panama, but grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where I was surrounded by Latinos all my life, which I love because I heard Spanish all around me even though I was in Texas. As for hobbies, I love hammocking, watching people fish, being with friends, and I’m usually up for anything with friends even if it’s the last second!
What drew me to HCM was the role of being a doula and working with pregnant women and ensuring their safety and health. I can’t wait to get my prenatal classes started and to talk with clients about their health and how we can support them!