As we continue our work with Hispanic/Latino communities in rural eastern Oregon, we have begun sessions with our new ‘Comadres Rurales’ group. This is a women's group driven by a commitment to community-based learning. NCAP, our group volunteers, and external community leaders, provide various health and wellness training programs to attendees, and connect them with the resources needed in their community.

One area of focus in this group has been water safety awareness. Working with The Oregon Health Authority, the goal is to ensure access to safe, healthy drinking water free from nitrate contamination exceeding 10 milligrams per liter. 

We are also continuing with the "Basic Gardening Concepts" program—titled *Siembra la Cena* (Plant Your Dinner)—offered by Oregon State University. Through this workshop, participants will gain the knowledge needed to start their own vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens, with a specific focus on avoiding the use of chemicals and pesticides in order to grow ingredients for vitamin-rich meals.

Volunteers for Comadres Rurales have said that they feel the program is empowering them to make a difference by helping folks to access community assistance and benefits.

All too often, due to factors like information and resource accessibility, people may inadvertently neglect their health. It can be extremely impactful to focus on prevention when it comes to exposure to chemicals and pesticides that are harmful to well-being. Being able to offer information regarding illness prevention, the dangers of pesticides, or how to avoid the onset of chronic diseases while they are still preventable has become a key pillar in our work with the Healthy People and Communities program.