Bilingual peer hired to help Hispanic community in recovery

DUNKIRK, N.Y. — Luis Valentin is in recovery following a long history of heroin use and has spent the last few months at the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County, a place he says he feels welcome and not judged.

“Pretty good, feel good, thank God I met these people,” said Valentin.

While Valentin can express himself through art, he has a difficult time navigating the English language, and relies on his ESL Peer Advocate Danny Rosario.

“Having me next to him, he’s grateful because I can interpret for him, I can say what he’s saying,” said Danny Rosario, bilingual peer advocate, Chautauqua Mental Health Association.

Rosario also helps Valentin set recovery goals, schedule appointments and connect him with services he needs to get back on his feet.

“Without me here, helping him get through these hurdles, would he manage to do it? He said, no. He goes, he’s stuck,” said Rosario.

Rosario was hired in February and is one of the only bilingual peer counselors in the region.

“Because there’s no one there to talk for them. No one to advocate for them. A lot of them don’t want to speak cause their English isn’t too good,” said Rosario.

He understands the need first-hand, as he too went through his own battle with addiction. Sober about seven years, he says he can now share his experience and give others a voice.

“I didn’t have these tools when I was growing up. They’re not alone. And the fact that it’s helping them achieve their goals, is satisfying to me,” he explained.

MHA leaders say there’s a growing need for bilingual support in many communities, and having Rosario helps break the communication barrier.

“And just trying to help everybody we can. It could be very frustrating because they don’t understand us, we didn’t understand them, and you’re trying to communicate,” said Mike Nordin, executive director, Chautauqua County Mental Health Association.

Valentin, sober for a little more than a year, is also working to become a better father.

He credits Rosario’s help and urges others to seek an ESL peer of their own.

“Having me here softens the blow a lot. It’s going to help the community because now we can get the help for everybody out here who needs the help,” said Valentin.

MHA leaders say Danny’s employment was made possible through a local foundation grant.