The LDA was founded in 2004 to address the rapid rise of Type 2 diabetes and obesity among families and our youth, and to fill a gap in preventive health services for this population by providing free prevention and self-management education. The LDA is the only organization that focuses on prevention and self-management to the under served underserved community utilizing preventive education by health care professionals directly in the community. The LDA is a leader in the dissemination of culturally sensitive information about diabetes prevention and self-management, and a key connector to health care and other resources for people living with the disease.
The much needed services of the LDA produced an outpour of response from members of other communities who requested that information on diabetes and wellness also be extended to them, as well. The LDA’s services are unique, as they are taken directly to the community that needs them.
Mission Statement:
Committed to delivering culturally relevant diabetes prevention and self- management education to underserved communities.
Vision Statement:
To reduce and prevent diabetes in the underserved community by addressing health disparities through a culturally sensitive grassroots approach.
Core Values:
Through credible, persuasive, and timely information coupled with education and emotional support, a person may successfully modify their life style to prevent the onset of diabetes or manage the impact of this disease.
Strategic Plan Goals:
Goal 1: Diabetes Educational Services: To prevent diabetes and improve healthier lifestyle in the underserved community through our education programs.
Goal 2: Diabetes Information and Assistance Services: Deliver information to assist participants with controlling diabetes.
a) Provide diabetes information and resources on our website
b) Refer participants to free or low-cost medical and prescription assistance programs
c) Provide free screening and health information every November during National Diabetes Awareness month
Goal 3: Diabetes Advocacy: Maximize and improve diabetes awareness among all communities.
a) Improve diabetes awareness and prevention
b) Reduce diabetes and obesity among the underserved communities including children
c) Introduce state bill for AIC testing registry
Goal 4: Resource Development: Ensure collaborative efforts to improve health and diabetes prevention in the underserved communities.
a) Community building and collaboration with other community based organizations
b) Information distribution of diabetes awareness
c) Culturally relevant diabetes education information to prevent and self-manage diabetes
LDA Achievements and Community Initiatives:
Proposition 37 Campaign
The LDA was among the very first California community based organizations to support the labeling of genetically modified foods for the November 2012 ballot which unfortunately was defeated. Just a few weeks before the election, agriculture conglomerates Monsanto and Dow Chemical funded anti Label GMO television ads to scare consumers into believing food costs would skyrocket and the labeling was unnecessary. The LDA not only were among the very first organizations to submit a letter of support for the initiative, but campaigned on behalf of the right to know, including collecting signatures for the ballot outside a big national diabetes organization’s annual convention.
Lucille Beserra Roybal Mother Community Garden
In August 2012 the LDA helped establish The Lucille Beserra Roybal Mother Community Garden at the Roybal Community Center in East Los Angeles. The Roybal Foundation had the idea for years of creating a community garden at their site in East LA, but the garden had never materialized. After years of dormancy, the agency contacted the LDA to help realize their dream. The LDA enlisted the help of their community partners, specifically Al Renner, Master Gardener of the Lavender Hill Farm. Together, the LDA, Al Renner, the Roybal Foundation, and several other community organizations developed the concept, design, and implementation of the first ever community garden at the center.
L.A. City Accommodation
In July 2012 Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes recognized the LDA’s “Lucha Fight Against Diabetes prevention programs. Councilman Reyes delivered a speech on behalf of the LDA, which the City Council chambers responded with a standing ovation from several Councilmen including Council President Herb Wesson. The acknowledgment was to recognize the commitment and collaboration of the LDA with the Vons Foundation for diabetes prevention programs in our communities.
Los Angeles Times front page cover
On June 18, 2012 the LDA was highlighted on the front page of the L.A. Times following the embezzlement of our funds by our accountant. The LDA were among 300 victims, most of which were elected officials such as Sen. Diane Feinstein and political action committees, but the LDA was by far the most disproportionately affected. Sen. Feinstein stepped in to assist the LDA and offered her legal assistance to get our funds back which is still in the courts. L.A. Times writer John Hoeffel wrote a very flattering story on our struggle to recoup our funds and how the theft affected our organization and the communities were serve.
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/18/local/la-me-latino-diabetes-20120618
Stanford University Diabetes Self-Management Evidence-Based Model
The LDA were among the very first organizations in the country chosen to adopt and implement Stanford University’s Diabetes Self-Management Program; an evidence-based curriculum model for controlling diabetes in the underserved communities. Training took place in Boston, Massachusetts in October 2011 This highly respected outcome measured program provides diabetes control methods to diabetics and their family caregivers.
Annenberg Foundation Alchemy Plus
The LDA were among the top 10 recipients in 2011 to participate in their respected program to develop nonprofit strategic, leadership, and organizational management practices. The prestigious training is awarded to a select few local nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated superior commitment in serving the community.
Rio de Los Angeles Senior Club
For several years local advocates Guillermo Reyes and Marcus Gutierrez of the Friends of Cypress Park had wanted to establish a senior center for local seniors who had little resources and no outlet for activities. They then contact the LDA which had collaborated with Friends of Cypress Park before to help establish the center. Together the two groups enlisted the additional help of Santiago Cuevas, Senior Recreation Director at the Rio de Los Angeles State Park in Cypress Park and Kimberly Simonet of the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks Senior Citizen Division. The LDA and Friends of Cypress Park met with then Councilman Ed Reyes about the feasibility of establishing a safe venue for seniors to meet daily and provide diabetes prevention and recreational programs. Councilman Reyes agreed in the need to create a center with very little money and donated space from the State of California and the Rio de Los Angeles Senior Club was established in September 2009. Since then, dozens of workshops on diabetes, healthy living, and senior resources such as Bet Tzedek senior law, Medicare counseling from Center for Healthcare Rights, Health Consumer Center of Los Angeles, and many others have provided much needed information, resources, and help to area constituents. The center also provides daily sack lunches to about 50 daily senior participants. The center is an example when concerned groups address a need in the community and cut the red tape to make it happen!
H.R. 69
In January 2009 Congressman Joe Baca (D) of San Bernardino County introduced House Resolution 69 recognizing the LDA and the need to bring awareness, funding, and preventive education to prevent and stop the diabetes epidemic in the Latino and other high risk populations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjTMm8u0F_o&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLECD6199BE82B11BB
Food, Inc.
In late 2007, the LDA was approached by producers of the documentary Food, Inc. to discuss access to and origins of food issues. Although the segment of three LDA staff members’ discussion of food policy ended up on the “editor’s cutting room floor”; footage of LDA participants was used in the film. The film went on the win numerous awards and raise awareness to the health and safety of animals and food workers, and especially the potential dangers of genetically modified foods, specially corn, and the introduction of slowly replacing natural corn with patented genetically modified crops, thereby controlling many food products right at the source.
