Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28WILLIAM JAMES COLLEGE 5 of building trusting relationships.” She describes the importance of body language, warmth, touch and eye contact in training a student to be effective with Latino individuals. With an emphasis on academics, field service and the summer immersion of one month living with a family in Ecuador, the program has trained exceptionally skilled provid- ers. It’s absolutely made a difference and has served many local communities that would otherwise remain neglected. The growing number of Latino refugees and new immigrants, especially unaccompanied minors, now enrolled in the Boston Public Schools, has presented a multitude of complex issues. “Our students and graduates hear stories of unspeakable horror,” says Bennasar. “We recently heard about a young boy who escaped gang violence to return to his home in a small village to find it destroyed and his family murdered. Our students commonly have clients from South America, Central America and Mexico who have experienced terrible, traumatic events.” “This program is absolutely a success. I know that because other schools have sought our advice and consultation, and I am regularly asked to speak at national professional conferences.” A member of the original planning group and a dear friend and supervisor of Cynthia’s, Bennasar understandably admits, “I love what I do.” Cassandra Guercia, Mari Carmen Bennasar, PsyD, Paola Michelle Contreras, PsyD,Yayci Patino, Lizette Santana and Maria Popoteur celebrate 10 years of the Latino Mental Health Program. It’s absolutely made a difference and has served many local communities that would otherwise remain neglected.” ­ —Mari Carmen Bennasar, PsyD, Director of the Latino Mental Health Program 10 Years