Company: LA Voz de la Comunidad Coalition
Overview
The LA Voz de la Comunidad Coalition (LA Voz NOLA) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Latino communities within Louisiana. Their mission involves preventing youth substance abuse through culturally competent leadership, advocacy, research, education, and citizenship. The organization functions as a centralized resource for the Latino community, offering access to vital information, resources, and community events.
Programs and Initiatives
LA Voz operates several key programs, including:
- Drug Free Community Program: Focuses on preventing youth substance abuse.
- Partnerships For Success: Emphasizes active parenting and community partnerships.
- Highway and Occupant Safety Program: Aims to prevent drinking and driving among youth.
Key Personnel
David Alvarez, MA, LPP – Program Director
David Alvarez is a seasoned professional recognized as the 2010 Louisiana Prevention Professional of the Year. He specializes in managing and evaluating community-based programs with a focus on youth behavioral health. Alvarez serves on the Drug Policy Board’s Prevention Systems Committee and has gubernatorial appointments to the Louisiana Latino Commission. His expertise includes statewide prevention efforts targeting youth substance abuse (david@lavoznola.com).
Jacqueline Haas – Community Liaison
Jacqueline Haas is a business owner and volunteer with a comprehensive background in substance abuse prevention within the Latino community. She has initiated successful prevention programs and maintains relationships with business leaders in Kenner, LA. Her role includes managing youth leadership clubs and media messaging (jacqueline@lavoznola.com).
Noel Ascencio – Program Coordinator
Noel Ascencio leads the Drug Free Communities Program and manages direct programming for youth. Ascencio is an educator and motivational speaker with a focus on delivering positive messages to young audiences. His notable work extends to educational presentations across various institutions in Latin America (noel@lavoznola.com).
Daesy Behrhorst – Project Coordinator
Mrs. Behrhorst is an established community organizer and advocate in public health and language access. She holds significant roles including founding member positions in the Latino Forum of New Orleans and Louisiana Language Access Coalition. Additionally, Behrhorst is involved in research at LSUHSC School of Public Health and serves on various health-related advisory boards (daesy@lavoznola.com).
Gary Aguilar – Highway Safety Coordinator
Originally from Honduras and a Licensed Practical Nurse, Gary Aguilar leads the Louisiana Highway Prevention of Drinking and Driving Program. Her contributions focus on enhancing occupant safety initiatives (gary@lavoznola.com).
Michelle Aguirre – Project Director, Partnerships for Success
Michelle Aguirre’s expertise lies in active parenting programs and fostering community partnerships. As Project Director, she orchestrates direct educational programming aimed at strengthening community ties and enhancing parental engagement (michelle@lavoznola.com).
Helen Espinal – Programs Coordinator
Helen Espinal manages multiple program areas, focusing on educational and community initiatives within LA Voz.
Community Engagement
LA Voz NOLA’s initiatives are bolstered by active community engagement. They collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including local businesses and educational institutions, to drive their mission forward. The organization promotes active participation through their Community Message Board, text updates, and regular community events.
Online Presence
LA Voz de la Comunidad maintains a robust online presence through their [official website](http://www.lavoznola.com/), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/lavozcoalition/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-voz-de-la-comunidad-coalition), and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6875LgcBbTWcAd1U9LTS4A). These platforms provide updates, resources, and event information to the community.
Competitor Profiling Report
Competitors and External Validation
Comparable Organizations
1. Hispanic Federation:
- Focuses on education, particularly K-12 and post-secondary access and success for Latino students.
- Engages in policy advocacy and educational program support across the nation.
- Notable programs include Pathways to Academic Excellence, CREAR Futuros for college students, and other educational workshops.
2. Latino Community Foundation (LCF):
- Strengthens civic leadership and political participation among Latinos, focusing on California.
- Provides philanthropy opportunities through the Latino Giving Circle Network.
- Drives investments in Latino-led organizations for broader social impact.
3. UnidosUS:
- The largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.
- Extensive programs in civil rights, education, health, housing, financial empowerment, immigration, and voter empowerment.
4. Voces Latinas:
- Offers culturally-responsive services to new and undocumented Latin American immigrants.
- Services include healthcare, HIV testing, workforce development, domestic violence support, and mental health services.
- Operates a mobile unit for community outreach and services.
Key Insights and Opportunities
- Education and Youth Programs: LA Voz de la Comunidad Coalition's focus on preventing youth substance abuse positions them uniquely in the space of education and advocacy. Developing partnerships with educational institutions could expand their reach and effectiveness.
- Community Resource Hub: Their role as a centralized resource for the Latino community can be leveraged further by engaging with larger networks such as the Hispanic Federation or UnidosUS to enhance their resource offerings.
- Civic Engagement Initiatives: Observing the civic engagement strategies of LCF, LA Voz de la Comunidad can strengthen their political influence within the state by increasing advocacy efforts and voter registration initiatives among Latinos.
- Health and Wellness: Following Voces Latinas' footsteps, expanding services to include comprehensive health and wellness programs including mental health support could provide substantial benefits to the community.
Potential Collaboration Opportunities
- Partnerships with Educational Entities: Collaborating with organizations like Hispanic Federation for educational workshops and college readiness programs.
- Civic Engagement Campaigns: Joining hands with the Latino Community Foundation to enhance political and civic participation initiatives for the Latino community.
- Health Services Expansion: Adopting a mobile unit service model similar to Voces Latinas for broader community healthcare outreach.
