SOUTH TEXAS COLONIA INITIATIVE, INC. (STCI)
Who we are and what we do.
For over 30 years Lionel and Juanita Lopez have been advocating of residents living in colonias.
What is a colonia?
Colonias are rural subdivisions or communities that lack some of the most basic living necessities, such as potable water, sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, drainage, and safe and sanitary housing. People that live in colonias are mostly people of color and low-income and are among the most disadvantage population in the state of Texas. These people often lack a political voice and resources to improve the substandard living conditions they live in. These communities are often built on pipelines, oil waste pits and/or oil and gas operations. Because of substandard drainage, the area floods for weeks after a heavy rain and they have to live submerged in toxic waste.
We are working to stop this environmental injustice and improve the living and health conditions of people living in colonias.
We are working to stop this environmental injustice and improve the living and health conditions of people living in colonias.
What we do:
STCI partners with many organizations from all over the United States to provide information and services to the people.
South Texas Colonia Initiative, Inc. began a Promotor(a) de Salud Program in 2007 with a grant from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Promotor(a)s or Community Health Workers as they are also called, are community members who are trained to promote health in their own communities. They provide leadership, peer education and resources to support community empowerment. As members of minority and undeserved populations they are in a unique position to build on strengths and to address unmet health needs and also are excellent outreach workers in their communities.
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South Texas Colonia Initiative
South Texas Colonia Initiative, Inc. began a Promotor(a) de Salud Program in 2007 with a grant from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Promotor(a)s or Community Health Workers as they are also called, are community members who are trained to promote health in their own communities. They provide leadership, peer education and resources to support community empowerment. As members of minority and undeserved populations they are in a unique position to build on strengths and to address unmet health needs and also are excellent outreach workers in their communities.
Find us on Facebook
South Texas Colonia Initiative
The Director and his family
Lionel Lopez, a retired firefighter, has worked with colonia residents for over 35 years along with his wife, Juanita and their grandchildren.
This is truly a family organization. The Lopez's have a large family. There have four daughters and one son, fourteen grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. Several of the grandchildren often accompany them to health fairs, food distributions or other activities.
This is truly a family organization. The Lopez's have a large family. There have four daughters and one son, fourteen grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. Several of the grandchildren often accompany them to health fairs, food distributions or other activities.