Advocates for Community Health and Social Justice: A Case Example of a Multisystemic Promotores Organization in South Carolina

ABSTRACT

This article explores the promise of infusing the community health worker—Promotores—model within social work. In support of community health and social justice, we encourage a return to the historical legacy of this model and our profession by emphasizing not only access and quality of health and social services, but also indigenous leadership development and community advocacy to engender multisystemic change. In so doing, we highlight a richly successful Promotores organization—PASOs—serving Latino communities throughout South Carolina and conclude by discussing the possibilities of this model as we strive to (re)imagine culturally responsive approaches to social work research and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Advocacy
• case example
• community health workers
• community work
• Promotores
• social change

Acknowledgment

We greatly acknowledge the PASOs staff members and Promotores who—individually and collectively—work daily as agents of change to eliminate health disparities and promote social justice within Latino communities throughout South Carolina. We also acknowledge the state and regional partner agencies for their vital roles in hosting and supporting PASOs’ work and achievements: the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Greenville Health System, the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Hope Health, Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Systems, and Sumter Family Health Center. Last, we extend our gratitude to Dr. Michael Holosko for his insightful feedback and recommendations during the revision process.