Health Equity Navigation

Providing King County families with assistance enrolling and applying for different services pertaining to their health care and basic needs.

This program aims to strengthen access to health services for low-income immigrants, refugees, and limited English-speaking families across the Puget Sound area. As a partner in the King County HealthierHere Consortium, we work with State, Regional and local healthcare and social service providers to connect people with services. These include health care, crisis intervention, food, childcare, affordable housing, tenant rights, legal services, advocacy, education programs and more. El Centro de la Raza and the WA State Dept of Health ‘Care Connect’ Program is currently providing regional support to locate and enroll in appropriate public services that are needed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our navigation staff assess participants immediate needs, identify available programs and services, determine eligibility, assist with enrollment, and remain engaged through what are often lengthy and complicated procedures.  

Eligibility Requirement

• King County Residents

Program Managers

Susan Banhegyi

Susan was born in Venezuela and believes in the importance of understanding the culture and providing information in both Spanish and English. She has over 30 years of experience as a Social Worker working primarily with the Latino community, with 20 of those years working with domestic violence victims. She volunteers her time as a shelter advocate, facilitator and trainer for domestic violence programs.

Partners

Senior Hub

Nutritious lunch, social and educational activities as well as exercise classes for seniors age 60 and older.

Addresses emotional, physical, social, intellectual needs through nutrition and health education, nutritious daily congregate meals, a weekly grocery bag from our food bank, guest speakers, financial presentations, assistance with technology, recreational games like “Loteria” and more. Seniors take part in various social and educational activities daily and exercise classes are offered three times a week.

Eligibility Requirement

• 55 years of age or older
• Valid ID

Program Managers

Raquel Garcia, Senior Program Supervisor

Person bio

Flor Gomez, Program Assistant

Flor holds a BA in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College and has been working to benefit the Latino Community for over 30 years! In her spare time, Flor loves to travel and visit new countries.

Partners

Food Bank

Nourishing our community with culturally appropriate food

At El Centro de la Raza, we meet our community where the community needs us. Food insecurity is on the rise, especially for our elderly neighbors on fixed incomes as food prices continue to rise. Our food bank provides nutritious, emergency and supplemental food to low-income individuals and families in the Seattle area three days a week. We also have dedicated navigators on-site to assists people in securing food stamps and other non-emergency food resources. Our food bank is open to all. Many of our seniors consider coming to the food bank as a time to socialize and connect to their cultures through food.

Eligibility Requirement

• Have a valid picture ID

Program Managers

Jason Li, Food Bank & Nutrition Program Manager

Jason has been with El Centro de la Raza since 2021 and enjoys working to help our community. He supervises our food and nutrition program and looks forward to continuing to learn about and serve our community!

Partners

Healthier Here Care Connect Navigator

Direct assistance for community members who have tested positive for Covid-19 and require assistance to isolate.

This program is to help connect with members of our community who have tested positive with Covid-19 and provide essential items which are crucial for participants to isolate safely. Our team provides one on one assistance with a Navigator to help them complete the Heathier Here Care Connect applications. We can also refer you to other helpful programs within El Centro De La Raza as well as outside agencies.

Eligibility Requirement

• Recently tested positive for Covid-19
• Come into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19
• Live in the greater Seattle area
• Isolate at home while positive.

Program Managers

Johnny Gonzalez , Healthier Here Care Connect Navigator

Johnny Gonzalez has been a Seattle resident for nine years and loves living in the Pacific Northwest. His favorite part of his work is connecting with members of the community and working together to find them the resources they need.

Partners