Fotonovella 

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United Way of Hunterdon County was awarded a $10,000 grant from Merck & Co., Inc. to produce a series of fotonovellas on a range of subjects affecting the Latino community in Hunterdon County.

Fotonovellas are widely-read short stories that are commonly used in the Latino community to inform readers through use of the characters’ dialogues, rather than an impersonal, detailed brochure. Typically, stories present information in the context of a step-by-step “how to” that follows the characters as they find and access services, and shows how their lives are improved after accessing services. This format helps to overcome not only language barriers, but also cultural barriers that often stand between the Latino population and the health and human services they need.

The highly visual language used in the fotonovellas makes the story easy to understand and follow, even for those with limited literacy skills. Fotonovellas have been described as a “piece of home” to new arrivals, in format if not in content. Use of this media demonstrates cultural competence to the community and may help make under-served Latinos more willing to reach out for assistance. We are grateful to the partners that worked to make this project a reality: Merck & Co., Inc., Hunterdon Prevention Resources, 2-1-1, and Main Street Communications.

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