Latino Community Foundation invests $2 million to increase COVID-19 vaccine rates in hard-hit Latino communities

Latino Community Foundation invests $2 million to increase COVID-19 vaccine rates in hard-hit Latino communities

The grants will support trusted Latino-led organizations in the Central Valley, Inland Empire and other key areas; LCF will also host “A Year on the Frontline,” a commemorative virtual event on April 1

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — March 30, 2021 — As California marks the somber one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Latino Community Foundation (LCF) announces a $2 million investment to increase vaccination rates among the state’s Latino population.

Latinos still lag woefully behind in accessing the vaccine. As of March 25, only 19.2 percent of Latinos had received at least one dose of the vaccine — despite accounting for 56 percent of COVID cases in California. Statewide, 57,091 people have died from the virus. Of these, nearly half have been Latino.

The Central Valley, a priority region for LCF, has the slowest vaccination rates statewide.

LCF is partnering with trusted Latino-led organizations across the state in a three-pronged action plan to increase access and confidence in the vaccine amongst Latinos:

Investing in Latino-led grassroot organizations:

With grants, outreach materials, and other resources, LCF will support the work of grassroots leaders in the Central Valley, Inland Empire and other communities hardest hit by COVID-19. These are trusted organizations in the community who are working to get Latinos vaccinated.

Multi-media outreach:

Partner with local Spanish- and English- media to provide the Latino community with factual, timely, and culturally relevant information about the vaccine and where to get be vaccinated.

Advocacy:

Advocate and work with federal, state and local leaders to ensure families have equitable access to vaccines. And continue learning about the most effective strategies to reach Latino families.

A complete list of the organizations receiving grants is below. They include organizations like Vision y Compromiso, Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) and Radio Bilingue.

“We honor Latinos as essential by prioritizing their lives and putting them in front of the line for the vaccine. This is a year to heal and rebuild. We can accelerate equity when we invest in Latino-led organizations and prioritize the economic wellbeing of those that have put their lives at highest risk throughout this pandemic,” said Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of LCF. “By working with these organizations, we build a path forward for communities to heal from the trauma of this past year and re-emerge as a more just, equitable California.”

“This grant will help us expand our radio programming to reach families who live in rural communities and speak Spanish and Mixteco. LCF’s investments in the Central Valley are critical to ensuring equitable access for those most impacted,” said Hugo Morales of Radio Bilingue.

On April 1, 3 PM PDT, LCF is hosting “A Year on the Frontlines” a one-year commemorative event that will honor the leadership of grassroots nonprofits who’ve served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The online event will feature music, poetry and LCF’s Martinez Garcel will unveil a report aimed at funders and policy makers. Media welcome to attend, please click here.

Scheduled speakers are:

– Cecilia Castro, Dolores Huerta Foundation
– Luz Gallegos, TODEC Legal Center
– Armando Valdez, Community Center of Arts and Technology
– Jessica Paz-Cedillos, Schools of Arts and Culture

About Latino Community Foundation: The Latino Community Foundation is on a mission to unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos in California. LCF has the largest network of Latino philanthropists in the country and has invested $15 million to build Latino civic and political power and leadership in the state. It is the only statewide foundation solely focused on investing in Latino youth and families in California. For more info, please visit: www.latinocf.org.

Vaccination Campaign