[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MARIA CONTRERAS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 1998

  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
a truly unique individual. Maria Contreras is the founder and 
coordinator of Soldiers of Health in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
  Ms. Contreras, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was 
recognized by the Community Health Leadership Program, supported by The 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as one of this year's ten outstanding 
individuals changing the shape of health care in America. Selected from 
more than 500 candidates from all over the country, Ms. Contreras will 
receive $100,000 for her work to improve access to health and social 
services for more than 500 families in the Roxbury, Massachusetts area.
  A 23-year resident of the Egleston Square neighborhood, Ms. Contreras 
watched her neighbors suffer violence, depression, illness and 
isolation. In 1995, when a 16-month old infant was injured in a drive-
by shooting, Contreras refused to stand by and watch. She began a 
dialogue, talking to kids on street corners and meeting with tired 
parents, frightened neighbors and frustrated police.
  Ms. Contreras' attempts at bringing neighbors together were initially 
met with finding a door slammed in her face. She is an effective 
advocate. After getting to know many of the youth-at-risk, Ms. 
Contreras listened to what they had to say and came up with realistic 
alternatives to hanging out on street corners such as after school 
tutoring programs, enrollment in GED courses, part and full-time jobs 
and week-long hiking trips.
  In 1996, Ms. Contreras' launched Soldiers of Health, a neighbor-to-
neighbor outreach program that addresses the violence, poor health and 
substandard living conditions by reconnecting people-in-need to 
available services. Currently, 14 soldiers who live in Egleston Square 
spend 22 hours each month walking their assigned streets, meeting as 
many people as possible. They pay attention to the health concerns of 
the elderly and get to know the kids hanging on the corner. Over time, 
they break down barriers to link people together whether it is helping 
them access the medical assistance they need or getting the education 
that's necessary to move beyond the corner and into a job.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate and thank Maria Contreras for her 
dedication and work in making Roxbury a better place and a model for 
tomorrow.




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