Venceremos Youth Program

At the annual meeting on February 21, 2002, The Health Foundation was pleased to announce Venceremos as the recipient of the 2001 Youth Group Public Service Recognition Award. Venceremos is a youth led HIV / AIDS prevention and education program in service to the community of Leominster through the Spanish American Center, Inc. The Health Foundation first established the Youth Group Public Service Recognition Award to celebrate and encourage distinctive, volunteer service by youth working to improve their communities.

Venceremos means "we shall win" in Spanish, and indeed they have won the admiration of the community’s parents and leaders. Young Latino members, ages 10 to 17, have dedicated themselves to educating their peers and the public about health and wellness and HIV prevention through home based education sessions, called home parties, and outreach to the community. These young leaders have looked beyond themselves to the needs of others, and given of their time and their hearts to collect stuffed animals for pediatric AIDS patients, distribute food baskets to the elderly, and show their solidarity and commitment to those infected with HIV by participating with them in a community peace march.

Neddy Latimer, Executive Director of the Spanish American Center in Leominster, shared with us in her letter of nomination that the members of Venceremos had created an AIDS Quilt with messages for young people about HIV and had taken their messages "on the road" in the local Johnny Appleseed Parade! Ms. Latimer proudly noted that the youth members of Venceremos and all of the former members of the group have continued to make healthy choices for themselves in preventing HIV and teen pregnancy. And she acknowledged the support and involvement of the youth leaders’ parents in developing the program.

The Health Foundation is proud to recognize the fine community service that Venceremos young leaders have offered in their volunteer commitments. The Health Foundation presented a grant of $20,000 to The Spanish American Center to further support the work of the Venceremos youth program.