Creating a more equitable clean energy future takes time and care. Programs that address barriers to participation such as trust, access, language, and transportation will achieve greater success than those that rely simply on incentives.  This session looks at how the promotora de salud outreach model can advance clean energy and environmental equity goals in low-income communities. The model, originally developed in Mexico, is already successfully used by healthcare clinics across the U.S. Promotoras are powerful partners because they speak the same language, share a common culture, and regularly interact with people. This moderated panel will describe how promotoras have been key in several healthcare initiatives and then discuss the decarbonization efforts that can benefit from this partnership. The session’s purpose is to demonstrate that by working with promotoras, local governments have an untapped local resource to help realize the shared vision of a vibrant, healthy and equitable community.

Speakers

• Stephanie Lemus (she/her/hers), Clinica Romero, Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs
• Mabell Garcia Paine, Viridis Consulting LLC, President
• Nancy Barba (she/her) (Moderator), Frontier Energy, Director
• Susana Moncada (She/Her/Hers/Ella), Clinica Romero, Promotora/Community Health Worker