Q&A with Adriana Viveros, Program Director for La Familia at Do Care Doula Foundation | Arsht-Cannon Grantee Series

What is your role at Do Care Doula and what do you do?

I am the Program Director for La Familia at Do Care Doula Foundation. I also bring my experience as a Community Health Worker into the program. My role is to help identify the barriers that affect Hispanic families and connect them with resources, education, and opportunities that can improve their quality of life.

La Familia focuses on more than providing information. We work to create meaningful connections with families, build trust, and make sure people know where they can go for help. I look at the social determinants of health and the barriers people face and help connect them to resources that can address those needs.

The DCF’s Arsht-Cannon Fund supports La Familia Growth Resource Center bilingual programming for Do Care Doula. What does this programming look like?

The programming is centered on education, resources, community connection, and creating a safe space where Hispanic families feel comfortable asking questions and getting support.

We have hosted educational workshops on topics such as immigration safety planning and financial literacy. We have also organized community activities, including a Blue Rocks trip where transportation and dinner were provided for 50 community members. We hosted a back-to-school celebration with food, games, and activities, and we have opened our food pantry to help families experiencing food insecurity.

We are also planning a trip to Washington, D.C., that will incorporate Día de los Muertos and give families an opportunity to celebrate and connect with their culture. In addition, we are hosting a community health fair to bring health and community resources directly to families.

How does this work support Hispanic communities in Dover?

It gives families a place where they feel seen, respected, and understood. Many people may not know what resources are available or may feel uncomfortable navigating systems on their own.

Having someone who understands their culture, speaks their language, and understands some of the challenges they are experiencing can make a significant difference. We are not just giving people a flyer or a phone number. We are building relationships and helping people connect with resources.

Our goal is to create a safe place for education, connection, and support while also helping families build confidence in navigating systems.

Are there any challenges in serving the Hispanic community in Dover beyond translation?

Absolutely. Interpretation and Translation is only one part of the challenge. One of the biggest barriers is system navigation. Families can face complicated government processes, eligibility requirements, transportation barriers, financial challenges, and difficulty understanding how different systems work.

There are also challenges at the government and policy level that can directly affect families. Sometimes the resources exist, but accessing them is difficult because of the way systems are structured.

That is why this work is so important. We need to look beyond language and understand the barriers people are actually facing. Building trust is also critical. When community members see someone who understands their experiences and is willing to meet them where they are, it helps create a stronger connection between the community and the systems that are supposed to serve them.

The Arsht-Cannon Fund (ACF) was endowed by the Honorable Roxana Cannon Arsht, appointed as Delaware’s first female judge, and her husband, S. Samuel Arsht, a prominent corporate attorney and founding partner of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. Their mission for the ACF was to preserve, support, and defend the best interests of a civil society. Adrienne Arsht, their daughter, helped shape the Arsht-Cannon Fund’s early focus on serving Hispanic communities in Delaware through educational opportunities. Since 2004, the ACF has awarded over $12 million to 150 organizations, focusing on areas such as language learning, youth and arts programs, leadership development, Hispanic small business support, health education, and special initiatives. For more information, contact DCF Director of Community Partnerships, Learning and Impact, Dr. Jennifer Fuqua at jfuqua@delcf.org.