Our Promotores Institute (El Instituto) is the first-ever training program developed by promotores for promotores based on their needs and interests. Rooted in the principles of educación popular (Paolo Freire), the Instituto employs a holistic approach to build community leaders’ skills to effectively engage residents in community transformation. Instituto participants are empowered to see, reflect and act (Ver-Reflexionar-Actuar), conduct root cause analyses related to the socio-economic, cultural and health conditions affecting their community, and learn advocacy skills to move the gears of social justice forward through individual and collective action. A 18-month training program, the Instituto is aligned with the Community Health Workers Core Consensus (C3) Project and supported by promotor advisors, technical experts and subject matter workgroups (curricula design and evaluation, professional and personal development, advocacy, and technical assistance). Organized as three phases, the Instituto’s methodology and evaluation activities support the Community Transformation Model while the unique mentoring and workforce development components promote job creation and help to integrate promotores into diverse workforce sectors.

• • PHASE I: Fundamental Promotor Concepts includes personal and professional development, root cause analyses, and community project design.
  • PHASE II: Advanced Promotor Concepts applied through implementation and evaluation of a community project.
  • PHASE III: Specialization in Community Leadership building, education, training, health, research, and/or advocacy.

Facilitated by our expert Trainers with 100+ combined years of experience working with and training community-based promotores, each phase includes learning goals and objectives, specialized content, and interactive activities. Trainers model collaborative leadership, consensus building, and group decision making weaving in topics in response to the needs of participants and guiding participants in a reflection and values clarification process that develops communication and public speaking skills using what they know from their lived experience. In 2021, the first cohort of 20 promotoras completed Phase I (virtually); 55% of graduates are now engaged in developing community projects.