Program Overview
Since 2003, Ventanillas de Salud (VDS) has provided health screenings, health education counseling, and referrals for Mexican and Hispanic/Latino community members in the U.S. Taking a relationship-focused approach, VDS works to address health conditions that disproportionately affect Mexican and Hispanic/Latino people, including high blood pressure and diabetes. VDS is an initiative of the Mexican government, and there are 50 active VDS programs operating in Mexican Consulates across the U.S.
Karen Yanin Alvarado runs the local VDS program in Calexico, CA. Karen shared insights from her experience tailoring health education strategies to meet her community’s needs.
Fast Facts
Name of organization: Ventanilla de Salud (VDS) en Calexico
Mission of organization: Improve access to primary and preventive health care services, increase health insurance coverage, and promote a culture of preventive health care among Mexican and Hispanic/Latino people in Calexico
Type of organization: Initiative of the Mexican government
Location of organization: Calexico, CA. VDS en Calexico is one of 50 active VDS programs operating in Mexican Consulates across the U.S.
Size of organization: 1 staff member in Calexico
Size of community: Calexico, CA, has approximately 38,000 residents, with 98% of residents identifying as Hispanic. VDS en Calexico also serves people who are visiting the Mexican Consulate.
Funding: VDS en Calexico receives over $20,000 of funding annually.
Time period: VDS en Calexico began operating in 2003.
Reach: VDS en Calexico serves approximately 23,000 people each year. In a typical interaction, Karen offers blood pressure and glucose screenings and shares educational materials about topics like blood pressure, diabetes, and physical activity.
Community Needs
What communities does VDS en Calexico serve?
VDS en Calexico primarily serves Mexican and Hispanic/Latino communities, including people who are getting assistance at the Mexican Consulate. We also support older adults living in Calexico.
How does VDS en Calexico meet community members where they are?
My office is at the Mexican Consulate, so I can interact with people while they’re waiting on their appointments. I offer them free blood pressure and blood glucose (sugar) screenings. As I’m doing the screenings, I chat with them, share educational materials from our website, and promote resources like food banks, Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program), or other programs I’ve heard about in the community. “Ventanillas de Salud” translates to “Windows to Health” in English, and I’m like a window — I don’t just provide screenings, I also refer people to other agencies.
For example, to reach older adults, I set up a table at the recreation community center in Calexico, which has senior aerobics and yoga classes. After classes, I check people’s vitals and share resources with them. I also visit residents at a senior living apartment complex. During these visits, I do simple exercises, stretches, even games and raffles. I ask them questions about their blood pressure, glucose, and healthy habits.
We also have a Facebook page, and at least once or twice a week, I post flyers with health information. All our resources are in Spanish since they’re intended for Mexican and Hispanic/Latino communities.
Have you encountered any barriers in connecting with community members? If so, how have you addressed those barriers?
Sometimes people are hesitant to share their personal information or worried about cost. I tell them my services are free, and they don’t have to share any information with me — even their name. Everything is confidential.
Funding and Partnerships
How is VDS en Calexico funded?
The program receives over $20,000 in government funding annually.
How does VDS en Calexico collaborate with other organizations in the community?
Once a month, I organize a health fair in the community. I make a flyer and invite local agencies to participate. That’s how I make connections — and the agencies are always very supportive. Sometimes they call me and ask me for resources to share with their patients.
Looking for Funding?
To find funding opportunities that align with your organization’s goals, search for “funding” in the Resource Database. For tips on building partnerships, download the Partner Engagement Tip Sheet on the Training Resources for Professionals page
Program Impact
What is the impact of the VDS program? How have you measured and evaluated the program’s success?
At the national level, VDS has made a positive impact on the health of Mexican and Hispanic/Latino communities in the U.S. by offering preventive care services and raising awareness of potential health issues. For the Calexico program, every day, I track how many people I interacted with and what kind of services I provided to them. I don’t record any personally identifying information. At the end of the month, I compile this data in a monthly report and share it with the broader VDS program.