The communities served by Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic in Milwaukee are primarily Hispanic. The clinic, which is the largest free clinic in Wisconsin, has numerous programs aimed to meet Spanish-speaking patients where they are. One of these programs is Venga y Relájese, which means “come and relax.”
“Venga offers evidence-informed, peer-centered stress reduction classes taught in Spanish for Hispanic women,” explained Sally Smaida, program coordinator for the clinic. “Some topics include relaxation, mindfulness, emotion management, non-violent communication and parenting. The courses serve about 125 women annually and are always at capacity.”
Last year, a group of women who participate in Venga decided to start walking together at the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee.
“Some of the women don’t feel safe walking alone in their neighborhoods so we take walks – or ‘caminatas’ in Spanish. They feel safer together,” shared Guadalupe Osario, a community health worker at the Clinic and a partner of the group. “We meet for about an hour three times a week at the Menomonee Valley location. We also have a staff member from the Urban Ecology Center who walks with us.”
The walks not only have social benefits but are also helping the women in their health journeys.
“In three months of walking, one of our patients lost six pounds. She says she’s been eating the same foods. She’s shown up every week and is doing great,” said Guadalupe. “Some of the women bring their kids so they don’t have to worry about childcare.”
During one walk, the women asked their Urban Ecology Center partner about the vegetable plots they saw on the grounds. And the Center donated a big plot to the women.
“Our manager bought vegetables for the group, and the women got together to plant them and care for them. Some brought their own tools, while others showed up with their children.”
The partnership between Aurora Walker’s Point and the Urban Ecology Center has allowed these women to have a safe space to walk, talk and garden – together.
“It’s a wonderful arrangement,” shared Guadalupe. “The women have a sense of security, community and shared purpose. And it wouldn’t have happened without the support of the Clinic, the Urban Ecology Center and the generous donors who support both organizations.”
How you can help
The Urban Ecology Center has offered the caminatas and gardening group the use of bicycles and kayaks, along with the garden plot. Many of the women have little experience or do not participate in these activities regularly, so they are in need of donations of hats, sunscreen and water bottles. For more information, please contact Sarah Katsandonis at sarah.katsandonis@aah.org.
You can also make a gift to support Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic, which has been caring for critically underserved people who otherwise may not have any access to care for more than 25 years.