WKU, Hispanic Resource Center
Partnering For Program
March 17, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University and the Hispanic Resource Center are partnering on an initiative to enhance health-related programs for the region's Hispanic population.
On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) presented a check for $700,000 that will be used for health, prevention and outreach programs by Western's Institute for Rural Health Development and Research, the South Central Kentucky Area Health Education Center and the Hispanic Resource Center.
McConnell said the programs would assist the region's growing Hispanic population. "This resource center is an important part of helping integrate new arrivals into this community," he said in a ceremony at the center at 213 E. 12th St.
Dr. John Bonaguro, dean of WKU's College of Health and Human Services, called the partnership between the University and the Hispanic Resource Center a perfect match and said it reflects the values the health college places on community collaboration.
WKU President Gary Ransdell agreed. "This is what we're about as a University," Dr. Ransdell said. "Our mission is applied research and public service. Our mission is identifying and solving problems that affect the quality of life in the area we serve."
The mission of the South Central Kentucky Area Health Education Center is to promote health communities through innovative partnerships, AHEC director Lucy Juett said. AHEC, along with other groups, has been working with the resource center to provide health and dental screenings, she said.
"This appropriation is going to allow us to expand these services not only in this community but in other counties in southcentral Kentucky," Juett said.
Sen. McConnell earmarked the funds in the Labor/Health and Human Services appropriations bill.
Celia Lopez, director of the Hispanic Resource Center, thanked McConnell, Western and the other groups for their support. "We are proud and thankful for this partnership," she said.
For information, contact Lucy Juett at (270) 745-3325. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
