Introduction
More than 20 health care companies and community organizations set up booths in a Walgreens parking lot in Arleta for an inaugural health fair aimed at providing easier access to resources and information for underserved residents.
Event Overview
The first annual Community Health and Wellness Fair in Council District 6 took place on Saturday, Aug. 24, organized by the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Imelda Padilla. Padilla encouraged attendees to connect not only with various organizations but also with fellow local residents.
Community Impact
“Our district-wide Community Health Fair is a significant step toward bridging the health care gap in underserved communities,” Padilla stated. “By bringing together our community organizations, we created an environment of wellness, celebration, and unity. … Together, we are building a lasting environment of health and unity in our district.”
Participating Organizations
Health organizations and programs included El Proyecto del Barrio, BrightLife Kids, Alzheimer’s Association, Northeast Valley Health Corporation, UCLA Early Head Start, the National Health Foundation, and Syndicated Insurance Agency.
Voices from the Community
California State Sen. Caroline Menjivar attended the event, sharing her personal experiences with community clinics like Proyecto del Barrio, emphasizing their ongoing importance for families in need of medical care. She is advocating for better pay for community health workers to enhance support for residents facing health challenges such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Health Screenings and Resources
In addition to a variety of informational resources, fairgoers had access to health screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, and HIV, along with free flu shots from a nearby Walgreens booth.
Event Atmosphere
The fair featured lively music by DJ Charlie Antillon, with health advocate and media personality Jose Luis Gonzalez serving as the emcee.
Future Plans
Jason Vallejos, executive vice president of Syndicated Insurance Agency, noted that this event took four months of planning. While similar fairs have occurred in the past, this was the first successful attempt to bring resources directly to the community. Vallejos expressed the need for accessibility, stating, “The issue is transportation … [so] instead of them having to look for all these resources outside of their home, let’s bring it locally.”
Looking ahead, Vallejos plans to expand the community fair to multiple neighborhoods, including Van Nuys and Panorama City, with hopes of holding health fairs every few months instead of just once a year.
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