Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Recognizing the vital social contribution that the SETAC Community Center's Movhilizándote de la Costa a la Bahía, Brigadas por la Vida program is making in Puerto Vallarta and the greater Banderas Bay area, the University of Guadalajara has nominated the non-profit organization for the "Irene Robledo Presea" (Irene Robledo Award.)

Dra. Irene Robledo Garcia was a cornerstone in the foundation and academic institutionalization of social service in Mexico. Her major interests were to protect the less favored classes, and she dedicated her life to improving the quality of women's lives through education.

Robledo was also the founder of the School of Social Work at the Universidad de Guadalajara, and is memorialized in Guadalajara's Rotunda of Illustrious Jaliscans, or 'Rotunda of the Illustrious Jaliscans,' which houses the remains of the state's luminaries.

The University of Guadalajara, honoring the work of Dr. Irene, periodically awards a medal, called the "Irene Robledo Presea," to social service providers, academics, administrative workers, university officials and teachers, as well as to civil associations or institutions that have been outstanding in community participation, projects or contributions to social service.

"Dra. Robledo represented social progress nationwide. This award recognizes, on a national level, individuals or associations whose work reflects the values of Dra. Robledo, who spent over 64 years providing the University of Guadalajara and the State of Jalisco with uninterrupted effort and collaboration in teaching solidarity, generosity, teamwork and humanity," noted UdeG Social Service Coordinator, Dr. Mario Alberto Orozco Abundis.

The SETAC Center's staff and volunteers are grateful to the UDG for submitting their Movhilizándote de la Costa a la Bahía, Brigadas por la Vida program for the award, and are waiting for the results to come in. In the meantime, they'll continue providing access to information and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STDs, acting as a referral system that links existing health services to vulnerable populations, and promoting HIV/AIDS prevention through the strategy of face-to-face interventions in 15 regions of Banderas Bay and 4 Costa Alegre municipalities.

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The purpose of the SETAC Community Center, located at Constitucion #427 and the corner of Manuel Dieguez on the South side of Puerto Vallarta, is to provide essential services to the community, including physical and mental health treatment, referrals, and education in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. For more information, contact Paco Arjona at (322) 224-1974 or paco(at)setac.com.mx.

Click HERE to learn more about Centro Comunitario SETAC.