Xplorers honored

Maria Peña of LatinXplorers, a program of The Next Door, accepts a national award from the Society for Outdoor Recreation Professionals, and John Baas, board member, at right. The program helps families in the Gorge get out into nature. Community Health Workers such as Peña lead hikes to improve emotional and physical health. Collaboration between non-profits like Sierra Club and Latino Outdoors provide training for Latinos to access the beautiful outdoors. Latinos are at greater risk for diabetes, so hiking is a practical, low cost form of exercise. This program helps them overcome barriers such as English-only trail signs, complicated trail maps, and transportation to remote locations. Providence Hood River Hospital, REI, Oregon Public Health Institute funded the work under the statewide Oregon Health and Outdoors Initiative.