Nile Sisters Speaks Up at “Having Our Say” Coalition

On October 7, 2015, Nile Sisters joined other members of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) at a meeting of the Having Our Say (HOS) coalition in Los Angeles, California. Discussion topics focused on communities of color and their stake in health care reform, including progress of policy priorities that focus on providing universal and affordable health care coverage for all Californians. The meeting also reflected on the coalition inception, history, transition, future opportunities, components needed to create healthy communities, and ideas for incorporating them into current HOS coalition principles.

Since California launched a monumental effort to reform the health care system in 2007, communities of color have fought to ensure that policy proposals address the needs of their culturally and linguistically diverse residents. Since 2007, more than 30 grassroots community organizations, advocacy groups, and immigrant rights activists have joined the HOS coalition. Through legislative visits, community education, policy analysis, and media briefings, coalition members have raised awareness of the impact of health policies on communities of color.

The Nile Sisters Development Initiative mission is to educate, support and offer training to refugee and immigrant women and their families to help them overcome barriers to social and economic self-reliance. Through membership in the HOS coalition, Nile Sisters is able to communicate and exchange ideas with other organizations with similar goals and visions to create visibility and voice for people of color.

CPEHN recently recognized the Nile Sisters Development Initiative Type 2, Not You! program, which addresses the alarming rates of type 2 diabetes among refugees and immigrants.

Read the CPEHN article.»
Read about the Having Our Say coalition.»