Special to the Times
NeighborHealth, Massachusetts’ largest community-based primary care health system, united with La Colaborativa and other community partners last week for “Stronger Together,” a conference focused on strengthening gender-based violence prevention, intervention, and healing that attracted more than 200 attendees and over 20 organizations from across the Commonwealth.
“Stronger Together” brought together healthcare providers, community organizations, and advocacy groups to address gender-based violence specifically within Boston’s Hispanic and Latinx communities. The conference, which took place at La Colaborativa’s new Survival and Economic Development Center in Chelsea, included speakers from NeighborHealth, ROCA, La Colaborativa, the Boston Public Health Commission and Boston Medical Center.
“As a community partner and healthcare leader, we recognize the profound importance of a collaborative approach to ending gender-based violence” said Mimi Gardner, NeighborHealth Vice President and Chief Equity Officer. “With our partners we can create a stronger, more comprehensive safety net for survivors. Together our community is instilling hope, healing and recovery as we build a safer and more equitable community for everyone.”
Featuring keynote addresses on violence prevention as well as expert panel discussions on health impacts and legal considerations, the event fostered collaboration between many of Boston’s key stakeholders.
“Gender-based violence is a public health issue and everyone’s business. It does not discriminate based on race, socioeconomic status, language, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression,” said Kourou Pich, HarborCOV Chief Executive Officer. “We must realize that this type of violence affects all of us, and we need to take a stand to support and educate our friends, neighbors, and families.”
The event also included stories from survivors of gender-based violence and community healing sessions.
“In unity, there is strength; in shared purpose, there is power” said Gladys Vega, La Colaborativa President and CEO. “By coming together, we can transform our communities, break the cycle of violence, and create a safer, more equitable future for all.”
Other event speakers included Donna Bright of Northeastern University’s Center for Community Health and Education, Research and Services (CCHERS); Sunindiya Bhalla of ROCA; Hema Sarang Sieminski of Jane Doe-Inc (JDI); Kim Mendoza Iraheta of Boston Public Health Commission; Monica Mendiola, MD of NeighborHealth; Rehana Rahman Kiani of Newton-Wellesley Hospital; and Joanne Timmons of Boston Medical Center. The event was made possible with support from La Colaborativa, ROCA, HarborCOV, the City of Winthrop, and CCHERS.