The Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita believes that community health grows stronger when everyone has a voice at the table. That belief took on new meaning through a 2017-2020 Kansas Health Foundation health equity grant focused on authentic community engagement — a catalyst that led to the creation of Salud Más Bienestar, a nonprofit dedicated to improving health access for Wichita’s Hispanic community.
Through the leadership of Denise Romero and Catalina Garcia, the Coalition heard a clear message: language and cultural barriers were keeping many Spanish-speaking residents from accessing vital health information.Salud Más Bienestar’s roots began in 2019 as a health and wellness coalition program in Wichita’s North End neighborhood. Their initial focus was to get residents eating healthier and moving more by providing health education in Spanish.
Salud provides programs to the Hispanic & Latino community with a focus on physical health, mental health, family life, social connection and life skills. Salud is more than an information hub — it’s a bridge. The organization works to ensure that all Spanish-speaking residents have access to reliable, culturally relevant health resources. Their mission goes beyond translation; they tailor materials to reflect the values, traditions, and lived experiences of the Hispanic community.
Over the last five years, Salud has flourished by becoming a non-profit and one of thirty organizations in Kansas supported by the Building Power and Equity Partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation. Follow their success by visiting their website and Facebook page.
Salud’s 2024 report indicated 1,100 people served through Convoy of Hope, 1,801 people participated in workshops and an additional 5,147 interactions throughout the 12 months with 628 hours contributed by volunteers.
Their team recently hosted the third annual health symposium – Transforming My Health: making changes and confronting my crisis. Featured speakers included an immigration lawyer, psychologist, police officer, and nutritionist. The successful event brought in over 80 community members to network and learn about important health information.
Partnership is one of the keys to Salud’s success. Long-standing partners include the Kansas Food Bank for a monthly drive-through mobile pantry led by volunteers and hosted at the Evergreen Recreation Center. Other key partners include: Empower Commercial Kitchens, YMCA Cooking Matters, Sedgwick County Health Department Community Health Improvement Plan Healthcare Access workgroup, and Healthcore’s Mobile Clinic.
Sustainable funding is key to the future success of Salud Más Bienestar. In addition to the KHF BPEP grant, Salud is currently coordinating grants through KDADS, the United Way, Kansas Leadership Center Hunger Free mini-grant, Healthy Corner Store liaison and the Climate and Energy Project. To donate to support their work, click here.
Salud Más Bienestar has won several awards including the Making a Difference award from the Kansas Hispanic Education Development Foundation and the Governor’s Council on Wellness Kansas Health Champion award.
Promotora is a Spanish term for a community health worker(CHW), which is a trusted member of the community who provides health education and connects people with resources. Denise and Catalina are the ultimate example of a CHW and are working diligently to train more CHW’s to cover all the needs across Wichita.
This collaboration exemplifies the Coalition’s commitment to health equity — ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life, regardless of language, income, or background. Authentic engagement starts with listening. It grows through partnerships. And it flourishes when communities come together with a shared purpose — just as Salud Más Bienestar and the Health & Wellness Coalition continue to do today.
