Cape Verdean Organizations Commit to BEAT COVID-19
Pawtucket/Central Falls – Cape Verdean organizations, the Cape Verdean Community Development (CACD) and Project Health Cape Verde, have committed to the BEAT COVID-19 initiative alongside Mayors Donald R. Grebien and James A. Diossa. Over half of Rhode Island’s roughly 20,000 Cape Verdeans are located in Pawtucket and Central Falls.
The Cape Verdean community has played a major role in the ongoing economic development, sense of community, and prosperity of Pawtucket and Central Falls. This population often get lost in the way that we count, noted Mayor Grebien and Mayor Diossa. Latinos and African-Americans are counted, but members of the large community of Cape Verdeans are not counted as being part of a community with its own unique history, character and identity. Grebien and Diossa recognized CACD and Project Health Cape Verde for their integral role in communicating with such a significant segment of their cities’ population.
“CACD has always been tasked with bridging the gap between Cape Verdeans and the community. Now more than ever, our community needs us to assist them through these challenging times. Our goal is to ensure that Cape Verdeans and all other residents alike are taking the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of the coronavirus and getting tested if they have symptoms,” said Executive Director Sandy Soares.
“Project Health Cape Verde understands the importance of providing medical services to the community. In order to do so, we need to reach individuals and help them understand the magnitude of the pandemic that we are in. We are proud to align with Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Dr. Fine to combat the virus,” said Director of Operations Elizabeth D. Moreira, MHA. “We will continue to partner with CACD to understand the interrelated conditions, and social and economic determinants that influence the health status of Cape Verdeans in order to increase cultural competency within healthcare systems.”
CACD and Project Health Cape Verde have supplied BEAT COVID-19 with translation services, volunteers, resources, and outreach for the hard to reach Cape Verdean, Portuguese, and Latino populations in Pawtucket and Central Falls. BEAT COVID-19 is focusing on grassroots communication and assistance with the goal of reaching out to every single household in the two cities, including identifying residents who become symptomatic as soon as they get sick and move them to effective isolation immediately.