2019 CIIP Program Book CIIP Booklet 2019 | Page 16

Community Partner: Centro SOL
Intern: Edwin Arriola
Site Supervisor:
Monica Guerrero-Vazquez
What is Centro SOL?
Our mission is to promote eq-
uity in health and opportunity
for Latinos by advancing clinical
care, research, education, and
advocacy at Johns Hopkins and
beyond in active partnership with
our Latino neighbors.
My summer working with Centro SOL has been one of the most culturally enriching experiences I’ve
had during my undergraduate career. I learned more about the Latino community and the importance
of community outreach in healthcare than I could ever imagine.
Centro SOL is an awe-inspiring organization that works towards creating equity for the Latino popu-
lation in Baltimore. They accomplish this through pipeline programs for Latino youth, conducting and
assisting in research on Latino populations, and providing resources that help improve the physical
and mental health of Latinos in Baltimore.
For the past eight weeks, I’ve worked on the pipeline program at Centro SOL, helping organize and
taking part in educational programs for Latino youth. My focus was on the Summer Scholars program,
a paid program that allowed high schoolers to explore health care, engage in the community, and
prepare for college. I had a direct hand in organizing activities like shadowing doctors, volunteering
sessions, and even CPR certification for the youth.
On the day I met the youth, I knew I was hooked on giving them the best summer they could have.
Some days I had to give up to three presentations on different topics: how to apply for financial aid,
what is a non-profit, what are some interesting careers in medicine? Other days I was calling and
texting all the youth simultaneously to make sure they found their shadowing sites. And some days
we all went out into the city together to learn about the importance of engaging with the citizens of
Baltimore.
Throughout this exciting summer, the most memorable part was learning about the different stories
of the youth in the program. I had to admire how these students continued to reach for their dreams,
no matter how difficult they seemed to be. Even in a political climate where Latinos hear so much
anti-immigrant rhetoric, they continued to have the passion to give back to their community. I am so
grateful to have been a part of a team that pushes others to be the best they could be and that chal-
lenged me to be the best that I could be.
• Communicated with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers
for shadowing opportunities for youth in the Summer Scholars program
• Connected with community members and organizing activities based
around a summer curriculum including: research symposiums, naloxone
training, and volunteering opportunities
• Prepared appropriate presentations and information that promote col-
lege readiness and professional development for youth
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