Martha Castilla (Trainer)
Martha Castilla, (CLI 2001) is the Executive Director of the Edgewood Family Network, a resident-led organization which provideds education, training, leadership development, youth programs and support services. She has over 25 years experience in conducting outreach and education in multicultural communities to address women's health and chronic disease maintenance and prevention.
Ms. Castilla has developed the "Promotoras(es) de Buena Vida, a culturally competent training program through which she has trained over 200 promotoras(es) (male and femaile grassroots community health workers) to address health issues such as fetal alcohol syndrome, child development, family violence prevention, cancer prevention, chronic illness prevention and advocacy training for the special education and mental health needs of children.
Teenagers have been included in the Edgewood Family Network's activities and programs to ensure including our future leaders in the vision for a better tomorrow. Through asset-based community development efforts the teenagers have been included as trainers highlighting their technological skills. Through the Tekkies program, they have been the first in the organization to teach computer and communications skills. The Tekkies train the promotoras(es) on Microsoft Office: Powever Point for their use in presentations, spread sheet design and email communications. The Tekkies are a great asset to EFN and the community they serve.