Sobremesa: Healing, Identity, and Connection Through Community Conversations in Latine Spaces

Abstract

Abstract:Sobremesa is a community-based initiative centered on emotional well-being, cultural connection, and collective care. Created by first-generation, bilingual Latine social workers in partnership with SOMOSLOUD, this Chicagobased series brings Latine adults together for monthly gatherings grounded in food, conversation, and cultural traditions. Rather than replicating clinical spaces, Sobremesa offers an informal yet intentional setting where participants can reflect, listen, and connect across English, Spanish, and Spanglish. Each gathering includes a grounding or healing activity, small-group dialogue guided by culturally relevant prompts, and a closing ritual. Across 10 gatherings, post-event surveys (n = 91) reflected strong engagement and sustained interest. Discussion themes included stigma, immigration stress, political hostility, cultural erasure, and the central role of relationships in fostering resilience and belonging. While limited in scale and not designed to assess clinical outcomes, Sobremesa demonstrates how culturally rooted, informal spaces can support community emotional well-being, buffer stigma, and foster connection and advocacy beyond traditional service models.