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Every day, communities face challenges that lead to substance misuse, poor mental health, isolated youth, and violence. But these are not inevitable; they are preventable.
For over 30 years, IPS has been a leader in upstream prevention – addressing the root causes of these issues before they materialize. We also advance solutions rooted in policy that reduce health disparities and advance equity in communities that have been unfairly silenced and sidelined.
Your support will help us sustain the transformative work we have already started, and ensure that every voice in our community has the chance to be heard, valued, and supported.
You can help us create healthier, safer, and more equitable communities. Please join us by donating today.
Want to see the difference your gift makes? Scroll down to explore real stories from the communities we serve.
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IMPACT STORY: NURTURING THIRD SPACES FREE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Alcohol is not hard to find in the vibrant, nightlife-rich city of West Hollywood. But where can people go to feel safe and comfortable outside of homes or places of work – first and second spaces, respectively? One that is not fueled by alcohol or drugs? Since 2013, IPS has hosted two premier alcohol-free events, #BOOM and #SIZZLE, where the LGBTQIA+ community can come together to celebrate without the harmful influence of alcohol.
Our Impact: Through our efforts in creating third spaces in West Hollywood, we foster a community where alcohol is not a prerequisite for social cohesion, thereby preventing alcohol-related harm to individuals and neighborhoods.
IMPACT STORY: EMPOWERING YOUTH VOICES
When sewage from the Tijuana River reached San Diego’s southernmost communities, youth in the area struggled but had no real platform to speak out on how it impacted them, from concerns over environmental justice to needing safeguards that protected their mental health. IPS stepped in to facilitate a youth-led coalition and supplied them with the leadership, policy advocacy, data collection, and public speaking tools to bring attention to the challenges of South Bay’s physical, mental, and economic health.
Our Impact: Because IPS brought years of experience implementing our evidence-informed ACT Model, youth became vocal advocates of San Diego’s South Bay, participating in trips to the capitol in Sacramento, conducting beach cleanups, telling their stories to the media, and using GIS to collect data to inform their advocacy efforts.
IMPACT STORY: BUILDING TRUST THROUGH CULTURALLY ROOTED MESSAGING
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, many immigrant families encounter language barriers, misinformation, and fear that hinder their ability to access essential public health information. Through the Trusted Messengers Network (TMN), IPS provides crucial information on topics such as extreme heat, water conservation, mental health, and other statewide resources. These messages are delivered in environments where people feel most comfortable, such as cultural events, community groups, and neighborhood networks, ensuring that the information is not only widespread but also meaningful.
Our Impact: By investing in culturally rooted communication and amplifying community voices, IPS helped immigrant families in South Bay and the border region of San Diego make informed choices that protect their health, finances, and overall well-being. Trusted Messengers engaged over 9,000 community members with bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive information, strengthening trust and connections in an often underrepresented region.
IMPACT STORY: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH LA VOCERA
In National City and San Ysidro, many Spanish-speaking families depend on word of mouth and trusted sources to stay informed. Recognizing this, IPS launched La Vocera, a platform using the mobile instant messaging app Whats App, to provide essential public health information directly to community groups. Through brief, culturally relevant messages and articles, La Vocera simplifies complex topics from the seven basic information needs in the South Bay into clear, compassionate messages with actionable steps that people can share with friends, family, and neighbors.
Our Impact: Because IPS meets people where they already communicate, La Vocera has become a trusted bridge between agencies and the community. In less than a year, we have circulated 15 information goods with accurate, life-saving information to more than 30 promotoras/community members. This grassroots digital network not only improves access to resources but also restores a sense of belonging and voice to communities too often left out of traditional outreach efforts. To learn more you can visit the La Vocera website at SDSU.
