(Pictured L-R Kathleen Smith, RN, PHN, Dan Smith, Mary Smith, RN, FNP)

Spotlight The Smith Family: Finding Hope Through Service
Health is at the heart of the Smith family and our community is so fortunate for their incredible support.

After working for the City of Redondo Beach for 29 years, Dan Smith became a Garden Angel for the LiveWell Kids Garden Program. For the past four years (Pre COVID-19), Dan was spending two to three hours a week visiting local schools to tend to their gardens and ensure children learned about healthy eating.
Volunteer Garden Social

Join us this month for our virtual garden focused social!

We will have our amazing volunteer, Karen Blanchard show off and talk about her gorgeous butterfly garden! She will also be giving tips and tricks on how to grow your own garden at home to attract beautiful butterflies!

There will also be special appearances from two of our awesome Garden Angel volunteers and they'll further discuss gardening and answer any questions on how to maintain a healthy garden. Feel free to “bring” your favorite plant or gardening item to share at the end if we have time

Join us for this fun virtual social on Wednesday, May 19, from 1-2 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 973 0302 5385
Passcode: 576038
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,97303025385# US (San Jose)
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BONUS: Anyone who attends will be eligible to win some BCHD swag 
Beach Cities Health District continues to publish a regular newsletter, website updates and social media posts to inform the community of the latest information regarding COVID-19 health guidance, testing, vaccines, closures and recovery. Be a health leader in the community by staying informed and staying safe.
 
Check this page on our site for other ways to help during COVID-19
Featured Volunteer Opportunities

Errand Volunteer
Get matched with one of our Community Services Care Management clients to assist them with weekly shopping for basic needs like groceries and prescriptions. We still have a list of about ten clients who need support. Could this be a good volunteer position for you? Take a look at a brief overview of the role here and reach out to [email protected] to discuss further. Weekly commitment of 1-1.5 hours on a regular basis.

Center for Health & Fitness Front Desk Volunteer
As most of you are aware, CHF has reopened for outdoor group exercise classes and indoor workout equipment reservations, Massage, Personal Training and Small Group Training. CHF is now looking for volunteer support to help screen members at check-in, which includes ensuring members have read and signed the new COVID-19 Code of Conduct, reviewing verbal screening questions with members, taking and recording their temperature on the log sheet, assisting with cleaning equipment between reservations, and greeting members and directing them for proper gym entry and exit. If this sounds like an opportunity for you, please reach out to [email protected] for further discussion. Weekly commitment of 3 hours a week on a regular basis.
2021 Volunteer Hours

While volunteer support has changed with our continued adaptations due to COVID-19, we are so grateful for the commitment of our community to help others, both through the pandemic and through volunteer support in other ways as well. Thank you! BCHD volunteers continue to do remarkable things in 2021 and below is a capture of time reported.

These hours represent volunteer work with:
  • COVID-19 tests
  • Vaccines administered
  • Groceries and prescriptions picked up
  • Calls made
  • Committee meetings
  • Administrative support
  • Intern projects
  • Gardens kept
  • And more

January: 1,141
February: 1,258
March: 2,955
April: 2,730
Stay tuned...
Volunteer Anniversaries

Although many of you still aren’t back to actively volunteering in your usual roles right now, we are endlessly grateful for your commitment. The many collective years of efforts toward a healthy beach community from our volunteers is truly incredible.
May

George Nagata, 9
Toshi Takehara, 7
Susan Macwilliams, 6
Renee Daigneault, 5
John Earle, 5
Vicki Shaffer, 5
Teresa Noone, 4
Aiyana Romero, 2
Mary Dover, 2


*Official years of service in BCHD system.
Just for Fun Puzzle Time!
Enjoy some down time solving this super fun crossword puzzle using the clues below.
April Answer Key
Virtual Safe in the South Bay Series: COVID-19's Mental Health Impact on Youth, Adults and Older Adults
In partnership with Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Beach Cities Health District
Panelists include: 
  • Howard Barker, Community Liaison, Clear Recovery Center
  • David Hart, Ph.D., Director of Community Health, Always Best Care South Bay/West Los Angeles
  • Ioana Pal, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist, Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
  • Edna Osepans, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, UCLA Health
Wednesday, May 19
12 – 1:15 p.m.
Virtual Mindfulness Classes for Older Adults
Meditation classes in partnership with the city of Redondo Beach:
Monday, May 24, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tai Chi classes in partnership with the city of Manhattan Beach:
Wednesdays, 2 p.m.
To register for Tai Chi and to learn about additional mindfulness classes, call the Joslyn Community Center at (310) 802-5420.

Virtual Families Connected Speaker Series: "The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" presented by Dr. Dan Siegel
Presented in partnership with South Bay Families Connected
In this seminar, an exciting approach to raising children will be explored through engaging discussions, case examples and experiential immersions. By offering a definition of an important aspect of the mind and a core mechanism of mental health, the whole-brain child approach offers care providers the cutting edge art and science of child development.
Thursday, May 27
12 – 1 p.m.
Center for Health & Fitness FREE Virtual Workshops & National Senior Health & Fitness Week
Tuesday May 25
Movement Disorders – Parkinson’s Disease
10 – 10:55 a.m.

Balance 101 with Chris Bentajado, Center for Health & Fitness Medical Exercise Specialist
11 - 11:55 a.m.

Wednesday, May 26
Update on Multiple Sclerosis 
10 – 10:55 a.m.

Thursday, May 27
Brain-Based Exercise: Recommendations & Exercise Rx with Chris Bentajado, Center for Health & Fitness Medical Exercise Specialist
10 - 10:55 a.m.

Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening and Modifiable Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
1 – 1:55 p.m.

Laughter Yoga with Monica Victorino, Center for Health & Fitness Group Exercise Fitness Instructor
5 - 5:55 p.m.

Friday, May 28
“No, This is *not* Normal in Menopause” – Dispelling Myths About ‘The Change’ 
11 – 11:55 a.m.
Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques. The guided session will be led by a trained Beach Cities Health District instructor, Carrie Kerster.
Wednesday, June 2
4 – 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Happiness Chats
Support your well-being with casual discussions focused on connection and resilience. Attend one or all chats!
 Tuesdays
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.