African American and Latino Populations
Nationwide there is a general lack of data about African American and Latino problem gambling. However, the belief that there are higher levels of problem gambling in these communities may be consistent with other health disparities data. And non-traditional, culturally-tied gambling activities -- such as underground cock fights, dog fights, underground card games, dice games, and widespread video slot machine gambling at bodegas suggest a strong need for problem gambling prevention, intervention, and treatment programs that are culturally and linguistically competent.
Congregation Assistance Program
Faith communities have a unique ability and opportunity to assist both individuals and families suffering from addictions. For several years, the Council has collaborated with faith-based ministry teams through our Congregation Assistance Program (CAP). The program assists in the development of a structured prevention and early intervention ministry. The Council helps congregations to create a core team of people trained to act as resources for the community on addiction and related issues.
The Council adapted and tailored the CAP curriculum to focus on the cultural characteristics of Latino and African American communities. According to Council Assistant Director of Prevention and Programs, Haner Hernandez, “Faith is at the heart of Latino and African American communities. Congregations are places that people go to connect with their homelands and to build social networks. Faith based groups have a long history of offering both guidance and support to neighborhoods by delivering human service programs. Because congregations already possess the human and spiritual resources to help, the CAP is a natural way for the Council to reach Latinos and African Americans with problem gambling messages.”
For more information, please contact Haner Hernandez, Assistant Director of Prevention and Programs at the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling at 617-426-4555 / haner@masscompulsivegambling.org.
Community Outreach to the Latino Community
The Council believes that one of the best ways to reach out to Latinos and African Americans is by developing relationships with individuals and organization, and by participating in cultural events and festivities, thereby raising awareness at the community level. The Council is present at as many events as possible, from the Boston Puerto Rican Festival to the Festival de La Familia Hispana in Holyoke; offering literature and referrals for help, as well as answering questions about problem gambling programs and services.
If you are involved with a local, community-based event, and would like the Council to distribute problem gambling educational materials free of charge, please contact Haner Hernandez, Assistant Director of Prevention and Programs at the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling at 617-426-4555 / haner@masscompulsivegambling.org.
Building the Capacity of Treatment Providers
“As a social worker, I have seen many Latinos struggling with gambling problems. Language and cultural barriers often prohibit these individuals from getting the help they need. I encourage all community organizations serving Latinos to learn about problem gambling and how it impacts both individuals and family members. As helping professionals, we can strengthen our communities by offering even more resources for help and supporting our neighbors in whatever challenges they may face,” said Victor Ortiz at Youth Opportunities Upheld (Y.O.U.), Inc.
The Council is working to increase the number of problem gambling prevention and treatment providers in the Commonwealth who have multi-lingual capacity. By introducing the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Specialist (MAPGS) certificate program to organizations that serve Spanish-speaking clients, as well as by offering technical assistance to the groups, the Council is confident that more prevention practitioners and clinicians will become trained to prevent and treat gambling problems.
For more information, please contact Haner Hernandez, Assistant Director of Prevention and Programs at the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling at 617-426-4555 / haner@masscompulsivegambling.org.
Spanish-Language GA Meeting?
Mac M., the Public Relations Chair of Gamblers Anonymous (GA) has recently procured Spanish-language GA materials. He is eager to work with individuals who are interested in starting Spanish-language GA meetings. For more information, please contact Mac at macgapr@gmail.com.
