Senator Lara's #Health4All Tour Makes Celebratory Pit Stop in Fresno   

It was a time for celebration for more than 75 Fresno Building Healthy Communities leaders last week. Senator Ricardo Lara (D - Bell Gardens) made a stop in southwest Fresno to meet with community advocates and partners on his #Health4All Statewide Tour to celebrate securing $40 million to cover undocumented children starting May 2016.  

The evening began with the Senator touring the Clinica Sierra Vista Elm Community Health Center and learn more about how the federally qualified health center - and Fresno Building Healthy Communities partner - has been caring for the community with comprehensive health care services for more than 40 years.  

After, the Senator made way to the celebration to speak with the community about the recent victory for our undocumented neighbors, while also discussing the next steps to cover the remaining uninsured.  

"California has achieved a monumental victory by becoming the largest state in the U.S. to cover all children, regardless of immigration status," said Senator Lara. "This is a victory worth celebrating but it is not the finish line. Let me be unequivocal, our work is not done until we achieve full health for all."

Locally, Fresno Building Healthy Communities has been working to ensure everyone has access to health care regardless of immigration status. Earlier this year, through hard work and continued advocacy, Fresno Building Healthy Communities leaders were able to secure $5.5 million to be used for specialty health care services for undocumented Fresnans.  

"For close to two years, our community leaders have been fighting to save Fresno's only source of specialty health care for our undocumented neighbors while advocating for a statewide solution at the same time," said Sandra Celedon-Castro, Fresno Building Healthy Communities hub manager. "Locally, we are happy to celebrate that all children will have access to coverage and care, but it will take working together at all levels to achieve true Health for All."

Youth Score at Saturday Night Basketball Tournament    

More than 20 teams took it to the streets of downtown Fresno last weekend at the 3-On-3 Saturday Night Basketball tournament. The second season of the long-awaited tournament brought out more than 200 people on its opening night and shut down the N Street block outside Fresno Police Department.

"We're happy to bring back the tournament this summer," said Mike Martin, youth liaison officer for Fresno Police Department and coordinator of the tournament. "The goal for the tournament is to give youth a place to be engaged in something positive and to get them off the streets and out of trouble."

The 3-On-3 Saturday Night Basketball tournament is a violence-reduction project of Fresno Building Healthy Communities and the Fresno Police Department. The winning team will receive the grand prize of $500 to Foot Locker.

The 3-On-3 Saturday Night Basketball will continue every Saturday through August 8, 2015. Games begin at 8:00 p.m. outside Fresno Police Headquarters. 

"Torneo contra la violencia" - Univision 21 (7/11/15)

Mentorship Program Launched for Fresno Women   

"I hope to gain a closer relationship with someone I can look up to, a role model," Loftis explained.  

Read the full article by The kNOw Youth Media 

For more information about Women Empowered, contact Seng Vang, Advocacy Specialist at [email protected].  

Parks are a Public Health Issue   

Every year, the Trust for Public Land analyzes the 75 largest U.S. cities and gives them a score based on how well they are meeting the need for parks. This year, the city of Fresno, California, tied for last place.

Don't get me wrong-Fresno has parks. I grew up in the Central Valley, and have fond memories of holiday picnics and family outings at Woodward and Roeding parks, the only public spaces large enough to fit more than 50 of my relatives. I spent much of my childhood in these urban oases kicking a soccer ball on the green lawns and weaving among the trees with my cousins. But Fresno has grown and further urbanized since then, and many children are missing out on the chance to have these fond park memories.

Community residents stand for #OneHealthyFresno with better parks at a news conference at Holmes Neighborhood Park.