The name means women who have triumphed, and Alliance Community Services in Salt Lake City has offered the meetings for five years.

Now, the group, which provides support and resources for Latina breast cancer patients and their families, will expand its services by taking over the Latina Breast Cancer Education Project.

Centro de la Familia de Utah has run the program for five years, reaching more than 3,000 Latina women with information about the importance of early detection and referring nearly 2,000 women for mammograms and breast exams.

That organization has passed the $45,000 grant to Alliance Community Services because it wants to concentrate on children's education, rather than health services.

"It's a very good program," said Gonzalo Palza, chief executive of Centro de la Familia. "We trust they will do a very good job. That's their expertise - health education and outreach."

The grant comes from the Avon Foundation, a non-profit group founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women.

Since 1992, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and awarded more than $450 million worldwide for breast cancer research, access to care, support services, screening, education and awareness.

Jorge J. Arce-Larreta, chief executive of Alliance Community Services, said he is thrilled to oversee the program. The organization gets most of its funding from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

"We are proud that the Avon Foundation shares our mission and has chosen to support this program," he said.

The goal is to target 600 women, providing education and referrals. The group will help with translation, transportation and getting women appointments for screening at Salt Lake Valley Health Department clinics.

They will reach the women through churches, community centers and Latino publications.

For information about upcoming presentations, call 801-359-8922.

chamilton@sltrib.com