Sustentando Forsyth (Nourishing Forsyth) is a community-led project tasked with understanding what the Forsyth County, North Carolina, Latino community knows about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact as adults.

What are ACEs and what do they mean to me?

Adverse Childhood Experiences — also known as ACEs — can affect your and your family’s health. ACEs affect all communities. In fact, two-thirds of us have had at least one ACE. ACEs are events that occur during childhood that can cause high levels of stress in your body and your brain. That stress is considered “toxic,” and can have life-long health effects if not recognized and treated.

Our Collaborators

Nourishing Forsyth’s research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) within the Hispanic/Latino community focuses on assessing community awareness and the long-term impact of ACEs. This initiative involves a community survey of Latino residents in Forsyth County. Participants were asked about childhood experiences, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, to help tailor community support and advocacy programs. Participants’ confidentiality was protected and they were compensated for their involvement. This work will inform local programming are enhance broader ACE education and advocacy efforts within the community.

Our Researchers

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

As a Lead Community Researcher, I believe community research is very important because through community research we are able to engage our community, build relationships & become aware of the needs in our community. Community research helps us educate & advocate for resources & programs to be able to support each other.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

The impact I hope this project makes in the community is to be able to educate, support, advocate & provide resources in our community that are accessible to our Hispanic community. I hope that the impact of this project helps us come together as one, break generational curses & help support each other. “We Are The Change We Seek”

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

As a community researcher, I believe community research is important because it provides information that is used to better help our community.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

The impact I hope this project makes in the community is for this project to provide more help where it is needed & help the community become more aware on ACES.

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

Research is important because even though we think we know everything about a subject, there is always more to learn. It helps us understand the issues and needs impacting communities and from that we can create resources. Research helps us expand on prior knowledge of the subject.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

I hope we’re able to create little to no cost counseling for any kind of abuse. A safe place/ bringing awareness. Lower the risks of depression, anxiety etc. In Hispanic community. I hope it educates the community to prevent future toxic stress.

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

As a community researcher I believe community research is very important because we are able to not only better understand our community but also identify the needs & struggles in our community.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

The impact I hope this project makes in our community is that we are able to support our community & their needs. Educating our communities on Aces Awareness, toxic stress & how they impact us. Creating resources that are accessible for the Latino community.

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

La investigación, las sesiones de escucha o las encuestas son una herramienta poderosa. Debido a descubrimientos, falencias, necesidades, urgencias e inquietudes de nuestras comunidades. El resultado final, es recopilar la información y generar soluciones y recursos para la gente.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

No tengo dudas que traerá luz a la investigación y podemos hacer un cambio trascendental en temas como la salud mental y manejo de conflictos internos del individuo. Proveer recursos y ser una fuente de alivio para personas en crisis. Les envió un cálido abrazo.

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

It is important because we need to be able to become aware of things happening and understanding why/how. That way we are able to help others become aware and are able to get people the help they need.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

The impact I hope this project has on my community is for the community to be aware and get the help they need. To show that there are resources that can help & that they are not alone.

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

Es importante icluir a la comunidad para recopilar información, identificar las necesidades y comprender mejor los problemas que enfrenta. Así poder ayudar de manera favorable a mejorar la comunidad (Salud mental y física).

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

Espero que tenga un efecto beneficioso y que traiga soluciones y alivio a sus necesidades. Que puedan tener esperanza y fe que hay personas y lugares donde recurrir cuando lo necesiten.

As a community researcher, why do you think community research is so important?

It gives us knowledge on what our community lacks & needs more support.

What impact do you hope this project makes on the community?

I hope it shows the clear need that we need to educate ourselves & our Hispanic community on mental health & how to see the struggles of it, to stop treating it as a joke.