Success Stories
Get inspired by our Salud Hero stories and videos, which show real champions of change who drive policies and environments for health equity in families, schools and communities!
FEATURED HERO
Raheem Baraka Makes Latino Family Health a Civil Rights Issue in Boston
Raheem J. Baraka grew up seeing health inequity all around him in Boston (19% Latino). He saw people in one low-income neighborhood suffer more disease, less access to health care, and live 33 years less than people in a wealthy area just 2.7 miles away. He saw doctors treating illnesses, not addressing prevention or social ...
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Texas Policymaker Enables School Food Pantries to Save Leftover Food for Kids
Texas State Rep. Diego Bernal had a simple question for school leaders in San Antonio. What’s your biggest concern for s…
Healthy Food, Maternal & Child Health
Sweat Equity: How to Get Fit and Volunteer at the Same Time!
Paul Rezaei loved being physically active as a kid, so much so that he became a personal trainer and has helped people g…
Green & Active Spaces, Healthy Food, Healthy Neighborhoods & Communities
Young Latina Innovator to Launch ‘MyFunFood’ App
Isabella Jimenez of San Antonio isn’t a normal 13-year-old. When Isabella watched in shock as her classmates ate only po…
Healthy Families & Schools, Healthy Food, Healthy Neighborhoods & Communities
College Shows How to ‘Cultivate Health’ in a Diverse Neighborhood
Dr. Janet Houser wants her Regis University in Denver to “make a difference in the world” for better health. Dr. Janet H…
Healthcare Access, Healthy Families & Schools, Housing
Health Equity, a Bike Full of Groceries at a Time
Ricardo Rocha believes anyone can be a hero and improve local healthy food access. Richard Rocha of Denver of Abarrotes…
Healthy Food
Shirley Gonzales and Her Amazing Push to Revitalize Housing in Historic San Antonio
When San Antonio native Shirley Gonzales earned a business degree years ago, she immediately went to work to find new lo…
Healthcare Access, Housing
Sports Advocate Opens the Gates for Families to Play at School Parks
George Block has fought for children for a long time. When Block saw disadvantaged kids not able to swim at local pools…
Green & Active Spaces, Healthy Neighborhoods & Communities
Fred Cardenas: Improving Mental Healthcare for Kids in San Antonio
“I hear demons telling me to be bad.” “I need my medicine to calm down.” “Mom has a new boyfriend, but that’s okay cause…
Education, Mental Health
City Leader Rey Saldaña Helps At-Risk Latinos Learn to Swim
When he was a kid, Rey Saldaña couldn’t swim. His family couldn’t afford lessons. So Saldaña was a little scared as he a…
Green & Active Spaces, Healthy Neighborhoods & Communities
Ex-Football-Coach Creates Trauma-Sensitive Schools to Reduce Absenteeism in San Antonio
John Hernandez coached football in three disadvantaged school districts in Texas. When a player missed practice, Hernand…
Healthy Families & Schools, Trauma & ACES