Progreso Latino is dedicated to empowering Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities by fostering self-sufficiency and advancing socio-economic progress. Through a wide range of transformational programs, the organization promotes personal development and drives meaningful social change.
With 14 targeted initiatives addressing the diverse needs within the community, Progreso Latino is actively working toward a future in which Latino and immigrant communities not only thrive socially and economically but also lead in shaping solutions to statewide challenges.
Deputy Director Cindy Montoya emphasizes the organization’s proactive efforts in prevention—particularly in the areas of health and wellness, substance use, and youth support—underscoring Progreso Latino’s holistic approach to community well-being.
Could you please start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your role as Deputy Director of Progreso Latino?
My name is Cindy Montoya and I am the Deputy Director for Progreso Latino here in Rhode Island. I started in this position rather recently as it has only been about ten months. In my role I support the oversight of Progreso Latino’s operations, programs, and strategic initiatives.
I am bringing to my role as Deputy Director here at Progreso Latino over 14 years of experience with clinic organization, data management, and the client fulfilment spectrum. I also previously worked with children and in case management. All of which has provided me with the skillset to effectively lead and serve the communities that Progreso Latino reaches.
Progreso Latino’s overarching mission is to help Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities to achieve greater self-sufficiency and socio-economic progress by providing transformational programs that support personal growth and social change. Can you tell us a bit about Progreso Latino’s work around each of these objectives? (e.g. Strategies being implemented)
As it relates to self-sufficiency, we have the Adult Education Program. This program has served the community for more than 30 years, preparing adults so that they may achieve their education and career goals for improved life and work opportunities. We offer a variety of courses such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Native Literacy, Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, Citizenship, Job Training/IET/RI-Best, and Job Development. I would like to especially highlight our Job Training/IET/RI-Best course offering which is a training for entry-level careers in mental health with a pathway to earning national certification in Mental Health First Aid.
In regards to socio-economic progress, we have a Job Club. Job Club educates and helps individuals become competitive in the labor market. We connect employees and employers, provide trainings that supports both parties with the opportunity to offer and receive a better work experience. In fact, Progreso Latino’s Job Club increased the workplace capacity of 12 individuals who completed the OSHA Training by Groundwork Rhode Island.
What are some of the current prevention aims of Progreso Latino (e.g. in terms of substance use, health and wellness, and youth)? Are there any new or emerging areas of focus, challenges, or initiatives that you’d like to highlight?
First up we have our Wellness Center which has a goal to eliminate the disparity in access to health services that exists between the Latino community and the general population. Progreso Latino’s Health & Wellness Program provides health education, health prevention resources and access to health care. It is a comprehensive program for adults, primarily from Central Falls and Pawtucket who participate in structured, onsite health, wellness, personal enrichment and social activities that promote physical health, emotional health, and community engagement. We offer a variety of different programming through our Wellness Center, but to highlight just a few, we do have a free walk-in clinic with free screenings on the last Wednesday of every month from 9-11 AM on the first floor of our building, room 100.
Specifically in 2024 and 2025 we have increased our outreach to individuals impacted by substance use by partnering with local organizations such as Project Weber/RENEW to develop support groups. This of course is a new and emerging area of focus for Progreso Latino, but one that we do believe is vitally important and look forward to continuing to expand our reach and support to these individuals.
With regards to our programming for youth, we do have a Mentorship program that was created in partnership with MentorRI. This program serves students in 7-12th grade and is designed to connect dedicated mentors with young people seeking guidance and support. In addition to our Mentorship Program we also have the Teen Outreach Program (TOPs). TOPs serves youth ages 12-18 and was created to promote positive development in adolescents by guiding them to build a foundation of healthy behaviors, sense of purpose, avoid risky behaviors, improve their ability to manage emotions, increase empathy, work as a team, and take responsibility.
Progreso Latino notes on their website that they support “have developed strong relationships with community partners throughout the state, and have touched the lives of tens of thousands of individuals.” Can you please tell us more about this and what this means in terms of Progreso Latino’s work?
In addition to the partnerships I previously mentioned, we have also been fortunate to be able to collaborate with the Department of Health and hospitals for our Free Diabetes Prevention Program as well as our Chronic Pain Management Program. Some of our other partner organizations for our Wellness Center include Care New England Integra, Pawtucket YMCA, Pawtucket Central Falls Health Equity Zone, and Local Initiatives Support Cooperation.
One partnership that we are particularly proud of occurred between us, Rocío Oliva and Megan Duckworth, medical students at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Integra Community Care, and Johnson & Wales University. Through this partnership we were able to create Savoring Health, a Healthy Latinx Cookbook and Recipe Nutrition Labels.
How can folks get involved in helping to support the prevention and other work that Progreso Latino does?
One of the major ways that folks can get involved in helping to support our work here at Progreso Latino is to sign up to be a volunteer or to be a mentor. Both of these opportunities can be found on our website at www.progresolatino.org/volunteer. One important note about becoming a volunteer with us is that individuals will need to obtain a background check first.
Is there anything else you’d like to share? (e.g. Any additional messages, initiatives, or resources you’d like folks to be aware of?)
Yes, the contacts for the various programs that I have highlighted above. First, our Director of Adult Education is Claudia Cordon ccordon@progresolatino.org. Second, our Job Club Coordinator is Rosalba Perez rperezfontalvo@progresolatino.org. Third, our Wellness & Senior Program Coordinator is Dominga Taveras dtaveras@progresolatino.org. Finally, our Mentorship Program and TOPs Coordinator is Luz Rojas lrojas@progresolatino.org.
