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Hispanic Health Council Merges with Two Latino Community Organizations

August 12, 2013 - The Hispanic Health Council (HHC) has merged with Mi Casa Family Services and Educational Center (Mi Casa) and Hispanos Unidos (HU), two community-based organizations serving Connecticut’s Latino population.

With the merger, the HHC will take on many of the services formerly provided by these organizations, including the expansion of critical youth-targeted programming and HIV prevention and support initiatives.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to combine the best of what these three agencies have to offer to our communities statewide,” said Nancy Martone, chairperson of the HHC board. “We are excited to see our vision of enhancing and growing our research, culturally relevant direct service programs and advocacy to reduce health inequities experienced by our state’s diverse populations. In addition, this merger allows us to be in a better position to support Connecticut’s healthcare reform.”

With funding challenges facing many small community-based organizations, the HHC, Mi Casa and HU decided to join forces. In addition, the state of Connecticut has tended to favor larger organizations when it comes to grant funding. Thus, to save the vital community services they offer, both Mi Casa and HU opted to merge with the HHC.

The merger will allow for greater staffing and increased budgets, along with the launch of a new development office and the expansion of the HHC’s service offerings. The HHC will also boost its statewide presence by opening new offices in New Haven and Meriden, further increasing its availability to people who need its programs and services.

“The HHC has been an important part of the Latino community for decades, and we are excited to be taking on a larger role across the state of Connecticut,” Jose Ortiz, president and CEO of the HHC. “We are proud of the work that Mi Casa and HU have done within the community throughout the years, and we will carry on their missions to improve and strengthen Latino families. As a result of this merger, more people will have access to the helpful programs we offer.”

The HHC has provided health and social services to Latino community members for more than 35 years. The organization engages the community by providing core health services, community research, training and policy advocacy. Some of the HHC’s core programs include substance abuse prevention, maternal health and infant nutrition programs and community nutrition initiatives.

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