FLAS Inc.

25+ Years

of experience in serving Latino communities in Houston.

Get To know US

Mission Statement

Our mission is to offer culturally affirming, high-quality, and caring service to promote healthy Latino communities in the Greater Houston Area.

Our History

Elia Chino, Executive Director and founder desired to help end the devastation brought by HIV and AIDS cases in the Latino Community resulting in the creation of Fundación Latino Americana Contra el SIDA in 1994. After losing many close friends to AIDS, Ms. Chino decided to take action. Due to the stigma the name was changed to Fundación Latinoamericana de Accion Social in 2013 ‘The Latin Amerincan Foundation for Social Action”

Impact and Success

FLAS has hosted educational workshops and health fairs at a variety of locations, like churches, community centers, PRIDE events, consulates, shopping malls and street corners. Our accomplishments have included:

✔ Outreaching to over 2,000,000 Latinos in the Houston Area

✔ Providing HIV/STD education to more than 500,000 Latinos;

✔ Distributing more than 5 million condoms in our community;

✔ Hosting 6,000 Educational Events and Health Fairs in English and
Spanish

✔ Providing HIV Testing to over 20,000 people;

✔ Providing Health screenings to over 10,000 people; and

✔ Referring over 40,000 people for social services; primary care;
immigration assistance; housing placement; domestic violence
shelter, counseling and legal aid; SUD and MH treatment;
emergency assistance; public benefits; and health insurance.

In 2010 FLAS received a CSAP HIV/SA prevention funding for the
program Colores Latinos which provided HIV and substance use
prevention, environmental strategies, HIV and HCV testing, and
EBP’s including Many Men Many Voices (3MV) and Motivational
Interviewing. Colores Latinos was a community-based program
designed to provide a safe space for Latino MSM’s to receive
education and services. Since 2013 we have been implementing
an important SAMHSA Program entitled Project SOL Latino, the
funding for which expires in September 2017. Project SOL Latino
provided the following services to Latino MSM and Latina
Transgender between the ages of 18 and 49 who have Substance
Use Disorder and are at-risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV:

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Elia Chino, Founder & Executive Director

A Michoacán-born immigrant, Elia Chinó has called Houston home for over 40 years. During that time she has forged a reputation as a determined health and wellness advocate who works tirelessly to educate people about preventable diseases, behavioral health and mental illness. After losing many close friends to HIV/AIDS, Elia Chinó decided to take action. The result of her desire to help end the devastation wrought by this disease in the Latino community was the founding of the Fundación Latinoamericana de Acción Social, Inc. (FLAS). Ms. Chinó is a former member of the City of Houston’s Community Planning Group (CPG) and the former chair of the City’s Latino HIV Task Force. Ms. Chino currently is the founder and executive director of FLAS, Inc.

Vision & Mission fulfilled
84%
Lifetime Achievement
99%
Commitment to the Community
100%
Funds Awarded

Achievements

SAMHSA/CSAT Grant
SAMHSA/CSAT Grant
Latino MSM and Transwomen Empowerment
2022
Gilead Sciences Grant
Gilead Sciences Grant
Latina Transgenders Support Group
2021
CDC Grant
CDC Grant
Latino MSM and TG community
2021
ViiV Healthcare grant
ViiV Healthcare grant
Latino MSM
2020
SAMHSA/CSAP grant
SAMHSA/CSAP grant
Sustain Youth & Young Adults workshops
2020
SAMHSA/CSAP grant
SAMHSA/CSAP grant
To serve Latino youth and young adults
2017
City of Houston Health Department grant
City of Houston Health Department grant
Serve Latino community. (Saber Para Vivir)
2014
SAMHSA/CSAP grants
SAMHSA/CSAP grants
To serve Latino families, youth, MSM and LGBTQ community
2005-2013
OUR TEAM

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Founder & Executive Director
Elia Chino
Deputy Executive Director
Kimmy Palacios
Administrative Director
Jorje Lopez
Finance Director
Aamir Mamdani
Our Timeline

Elia Chinó, founder of FLAS, Inc. sacrificed her life and reputation to help our Latino community

1993

Elia started as a volunteer at ben taub Hospital and AIDS Foundation Houston

1994

Elia created Fundación Latino Americana Contra El SIDA, Inc. (FLAS)

03.

Outreach

1995

Started outreach activities in Night Clubs, Bars and Cantinas. Also, started the Collaboration with the Houston Health Department and with the HIV/AIDS Prevention Center at Texas Southern University

1996

Organized the Festival Latino en la Calle 7 in Austin, Texas for HIV awareness

1997

Ms. Chinó joined the community Planning Group (CPG)

06.

1998

Collaboration with Houston Govt

Ms. Chinó joined the Latino HIV Task Force with the Houston Health Department Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis C Prevention

07.

1999

1st Grant

FLAS received the 1st Grant from Harris County Development Department to implement the HIV/AIDS prevention among Hispanic youths ages 11-21 in Galena Park, Texas, Jacinto City, Texas and South Houston, Texas.

08.

2000

Doors opened

FLAS officially opened the doors to our community

09.

2001

2nd Grant

LAS received the 2nd Grant from Harris County Development Department to implement the HIV/AIDS prevention among Hispanic youths ages 11-21 in Galena Park, Texas, Jacinto City, Texas and South Houston, Texas.

010.

2002

3rd Grant

FLAS received the 3er Grant from Harris County Development Department to implement the HIV/AIDS prevention among Hispanic youths ages 11-21 in Galena Park, Texas, Jacinto City, Texas South Houston, Texas and Katy, Texas.

011.

2003

4th Grant

FLAS received the 4th Grant from Harris County Development Department to implement the HIV/AIDS prevention among Hispanic youths ages 11-21 in Galena Park, Texas, Jacinto City, Texas South Houston, Texas and Katy, Texas.

012.

2004

5th Grant

FLAS received the 5th Grant from Harris County Development Department to implement the HIV/AIDS prevention among Hispanic youths ages 11-21 in Galena Park, Texas, Jacinto City, Texas South Houston, Texas and Katy, Texas. Also, received the 1st grant from the Houston Health Department Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis C Prevention to implement the project “Cover-Up” this project was a community level intervention to distribute condoms with the collaboration of Business owners.

013.

2005

1st Federal Grant

FLAS received the 1st Federal Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to implement the project Hablemos en Confianza, a Substance Abuse, HIV and Hepatitis prevention program for Latino Immigrant Families and their Children funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

014.

2006

Anonymous Hero

Ms. Chinó was nominated Anonymous Hero by Don Francisco Univision “Sabado Gigante”.

015.

2007

Houston Endowment

FLAS received the 1st Grant from Houston Endowment

016.

2008

National Prevention Network

FLAS and Elia Chinó were invited to present in the National Prevention Network (NPN) and represent SAMHSA/CSAP. Also, received the 2nd Grant to implement project Sueños, Esperanzas y Retos en los Latinos a Substance Abuse and HIV prevention program for low-acculturated Latino young adults (ages 18-24) funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

017.

2009

1st Gala & Intevriews

Interviews by Houston Endowment Inc. to be in the book of Houston Endowment. Also, Ms. Chinó was Nominated Hispanic Hero by Telemundo “Heroes Hispanos” plus FLAS celebrated the 1st GALA for the 15th Anniversary named “Quinceañeara” to celebrate 15 years of service to the Latino community

018.

2010

Licensure

FLAS received the licensure as Substance Abuse Treatment Facility from the State. FLAS received the 3rd Grant to implement project Colores Latinos a Substance Abuse and HIV prevention program for Latino MSM (ages 18-30) funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

019.

2011

Community Outreach

FLAS implemented community outreach activities, community level interventions and group level interventions for Latinos in Houston

020.

2012

Substance Abuse and HIV treatment program

FLAS received the 1st Grant to implement project SOL Latino, a Substance Abuse and HIV treatment program for Latino MSM (ages 18-49) funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012-2017

021.

2013

HIV/STD’s Counseling

FLAS received the 1st Grant to implement the Project Saber Para Vivir (Know to Live) to conduct HIV/STD’s Counseling, Testing and Referral program for Latino MSM and Latina Transgender funded by the City of Houston Health Department 2014-2017.

022.

2014

Project Know To Live

FLAS received the 1st grant from Houston Health Department Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis C Prevention to implement the project Know To Live (Saber Para Vivir), CTR-HIV & Syphilis counseling and testing as well PrEP education 2014-Present

023.

2015

Project FLAS-Novelas, a Substance Abuse and HIV prevention program

FLAS received the 1st Grant to produce the project FLAS-Novelas, a Substance Abuse and HIV prevention program for Latino MSM and Latino women (ages 18-34) funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Services Administration

024.

2016

Award Nominations

FLAS founder and Executive Director Elia Chinó was Nominated in 2016 the top of Hispanic Leaders by Out-Smart Magazine for the LGBTQ. Also, in 2016 she was nominated and received the Premio Revolucion by the Federal Government of México. In 2016, she was nominated Angeles de Nuestra comunidad by the Jefferson Award Foundation in Recognition of Outstanding Public Service

025.

2017

Project Pride, a Substance Abuse treatment and Mental Health program for Latino MSM

FLAS received the 2nd Grant to implement the project PRIDE, a Substance Abuse treatment and Mental Health program for Latino MSM and purpose of which is to increase engagement in care for Latino Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (LMSM) (18-29), MSM individuals (30+) and Transgender women with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD) who are at risk for HIV/Hepatitis or HIV positive that receive HIV services/treatment. funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017-2021.

026.

2018

FLAS signed MOU with Federal Government of México

FLAS Founder and Executive Director Elia Chinó and the Federal Government of México/General Consulate of México in Houston signed the agreement “Memorandum of Understanding” for Window of Health (Ventanilla De Salud-VDS). The Founder and Executive Director Elia Chinó received the Award “Community Leader” in the international women day by the General Consulate of México in Houston. Also, she received the Award from the Festival Orgullo in recognition of years for her Hard Work, dedication and service to the LGBTQ community in Houston.

027.

2019

Awards & FLAS 25th Anniversary

Ms. Elia Chinó received the appreciation award from the Centro Educativo Universitario Siglo XX1 con Estudios Incorporados a la Universidad Popular Autonoma de Veracruz. FLAS 25th Anniversary GALA to celebrate 20 years of service to the Latino community.

028.

2020

Grants & Expansion

FLAS received the 6th grant to implement project Reach out (Alcanzar) the purpose of which is to implement comprehensive community-based substance misuse and HIV prevention strategies for 400 (over five years) unduplicated high-risk LGBTQ and heterosexual Latinx adolescents and adults ages 13 – 24 and their partners (target population/participants) is a Substance Abuse and HIV prevention program for Latino youth and young adults (ages 15-24) funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020-2025.

029.

2021

1st CDC Grant & Awards

FLAS received the 1st grant from CDC to implement the project Life (VIVE), CTR-HIV & Syphilis counseling and testing as well PrEP education with the following components: diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond and linkage for primary care services and PrEP. project VIVE is funded by the Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC), 2021-2026.

Ms. Elia Chinó Founder and Execuive Director received the “Premio OHTLI” by the Federal Government of México por su distiguida labor al Servicio de la comunidad Mexicana en la Ciudad de Houston, Texas. Also, She received the “Hispanic Hero Award” by Comcast for her contribution and exemplary dedication to help our community.

030.

2022

Lifetime Achievement Award

FLAS Founder and Executive Director Elia Chinó was nominated “Univisionarios” by Televisa/Univision for her social work, dedication and contribution to our community have been instrumental in helping lives and making a positive impact in our world.

Also, she received The Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award by Joseph R. Biden Jr. President of the United States for her lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer Service.

031.

2023

Proclamation by the Houston City Mayor in honor of Ms. Elia Chino

FLAS Founder and Executive Director Elia Chinó received a proclamation on her Birthday by the Mayor Silvester Turner of the City of Houston and proclaim April 24, 2023, as ELIA CHINO DAY. “A birthday is a joyous time to reflect on our many achievements and embrace the future with great determination and continue optimist for a prosperous and fulfilling life.”

Also, Ms. Chinó received the award Mujer Legendaria Ford “Diversity & Inclusion 2023” by the Camara De Empresarios Latinos De Houston (Latino Chamber of Houston).

Finally, Ms. Elia Chinó was invited by the Biden-Harris Administration during the Hispanic Heritage month (October 10, 2023) to advance both racial and LGBTQI+ equity and provide an opportunity to engage with White House and other Administration staff.

032.

2024

Honorary Degree & FLAS 30th Anniversary Gala

Ms. Elia Chinó, Founder and Executive Director received the Doctor Honoris Causa degree by the Centro Educativo Universitario Siglo XX1 con Estudios Incorporados a la Universidad Popular Autonoma de Veracruz.

FLAS 30th Anniversary GALA called “Surviving Stigma” to celebrate 30 years of service to the Latino community.