'We can do more with more resources': Aurora Hispanic health care leader offers update during nonprofit's 25th anniversary

“We've done a lot in 25 years. With more volunteers and funds, we can do even more.”

That's what Hispanic health care expert Lulu Blacksmith said at Oak Street Restaurant in North Aurora. The founder of Compañeros en Salud (Partners in Health), an Aurora nonprofit, was the keynote speaker at Diabetes Club of Fox Valley's June membership meeting.

Blacksmith, chief community and government relations officer at Elgin Community College, said she founded Compañeros in 1999 when she noticed Hispanics and other diverse groups lacked access to health care resources and services.

According to Blacksmith, Compañeros is a volunteer-driven coalition with members representing 27 social and health care agencies of the Aurora area.

Members meet at 9 a.m. every second Wednesday of the month, except July, at Family Counseling Services, 70 S. River St. in Aurora. Additionally, open forum meetings focus on issues affecting the Hispanic community and other diverse groups.

Blacksmith said achievements include establishing a pool of Spanish-speakers to assist health care workers and patients.

In addition to advocating for equal meaningful and culturally competent health care access, other Compañeros' missions are:

• To serve as a mutual forum to identify, discuss and bring into focus issues that affect the health and well-being of the community.

• To serve as a venue for the collection, exchange and dissemination of information of the community’s interests.

• To provide cultural, competent and sensitive information to member organizations.

For more information, email info@companerosensalud.org or visit companerosensalud.org.