The driving force that inspired me in 1989 to create and develop Comunilife, Inc., formerly known as Health Industry Resources Enterprises., Inc., was the creation of a not-for-profit organization for health and human services capable of designing and delivering high quality, culturally-centered multi services to the increasing number of Hispanics and other underserved populations. As a founder and the first Executive Director, I sought to bridge the gap created by the dearth of Hispanic organizations in New York City. Moreover, well-established not-for-profit organizations in health and human services had neither bilingual, multicultural staff nor the understanding of cultural values that shape the worldview of the Hispanic community.
After a hiatus of eleven years in executive positions in government and higher education, I returned to the organization as its President in 2003 with a renewed commitment, embarking in a re-engineering process that included, among many other changes, the launching of our new name, Comunilife. As one of the outcomes of this initiative, our first Web Site for Comunilife is launched today, giving us the opportunity to share the excellence of our work with program participants, friends, partners, and colleagues in our communities as well as in the public and private sectors. During our sixteen years of existence, we have made significant contributions toward expanding access in both housing and health care services, thereby building a healthier tomorrow and increasing the quality of life in underserved communities.
We all are born into a community: we run and make friends as toddlers in the park; learn to read and write in neighborhood schools; marry our sweethearts in the houses of worship that saw us develop into young adults; feel good in our jobs as we contribute to the social fabric of our community; share joy in the birth of our children with our neighbors; our children, in turn, take their first steps in our streets; and as we grow old, we should be able to make our final transition in our homes, surrounded by caring relatives, friends, and neighbors. Our new name, Comunilife, “to live in the community” (Vivir en la Comunidad), reflects such a vision, which originates from a deep conviction in the importance of enabling people to remain in their communities, regardless of their special needs. Individuals can develop their fullest potential with social support systems in their communities rather than in institutions or other custodial facilities. Comunilife mobilizes the social capital of Hispanic and other diverse, underserved communities. We provide the appropriate services individuals need to live productive lives in their homes within their communities. The acceptance, respect, and integration of the language and cultural belief systems of those individuals from diverse communities served in our many programs are intrinsic to our vision. Comunilife succeeds because we understand and speak the language of people that live in the underserved communities of New York City.
It is most gratifying to see our progress each and every day as we move toward the attainment of our mission: to excel in delivering community-based and multicultural-centered social services, behavioral care, rehabilitation services, and meals in a continuum of safe and accessible homes to those individuals living with HIV/AIDS and mental illness. Comunilife is an organization with high standards that can be trusted to enable persons to live at home with support services in the community of their choice.
A leader in developing Evidence-Based Practice models that are culturally competent for clinical work with Hispanic and other diverse, underserved populations, Comunilife fills a gap in the health, behavioral health, and human services fields. In 2003, Comunilife’s Multicultural Relational Approach Educational Program was developed to enhance both our professional and paraprofessional staff’s ability to integrate the cultural belief systems of program participants into engagement, assessment, treatment plans, clinical interventions, and treatment outcomes. This framework is applicable to the clinical work with Hispanics as well as with participants from all other diverse cultural backgrounds.
In the years to come, Comunilife will continue to be a leader in our field by continuously raising the bar and surpassing our own standards of excellence for the delivery of quality care to Hispanics and all other persons from diverse cultural backgrounds. We will continue to empower individuals with special needs to achieve independence and higher self-worth, realizing their strength and attaining equal status in their community. Comunilife will rally the strengths of communities by encouraging complete inclusion and participation of all individuals in the life of the community.
Rosa M. Gil, DSW
President & CEO
