Promotoras building bridges during COVID-19: Strategies and leadership shared by Latina Promotoras serving Latin@ communities impacted by COVID-19

Promotoras are leaders dedicated to bridging the gap between their community members and health systems. As mentors, educators, translators, and advocates, they use culturally responsive methods to increase community health. Esperanza United, the leading organization mobilizing Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence (GBV), organized two listening sessions with Promotoras. In these convenings, participants shared the innovative approaches they used to respond to and mitigate the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Latin@ community. These listening sessions also served as a source of connection, knowledge sharing, and affirmation. This report highlights the challenges Promotoras faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they used to find solutions. The findings are based on a community-centered evidence-based approach that acknowledges community knowledge and engagement.