Los Medanos Community Healthcare District is pleased to share the latest information about our programs and services with you. |
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Message from Executive Director
Lamar A. Thorpe
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Dear Community,
We are grateful for your support, as we keep working to advance health and wellness in our neighborhoods. Every day presents an opportunity to improve the quality of life of our residents, and to work towards a better future.
Here is a special video message:
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In this newsletter, we are proud to highlight our partners and programs available for the community. Together we will overcome the challenges brought forth by the pandemic, and emerge a stronger community.
Stay strong! Los Medanos Community Healthcare District is proud to serve you.
Respectfully,
Lamar A. Thorpe
Executive Director
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Grantee Spotlight:
East County Midnight Basketball League
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Partnering with organizations that benefit our community is a key part of our mission at LMCHD. That’s why twice a year we award grants to organizations that provide opportunities to improve the health and wellness of residents who are underserved and vulnerable populations most at risk for poor health. Our governing board’s mission and strategic plan focus on advancing solutions to health disparities among these populations.
We are pleased to announce that LMCHD has awarded grants to eleven community-based organizations totaling $167,000 to support health and wellness programs this summer.
One of the grantees is East County Midnight Basketball League, which we recognize for their efforts to create positive activities for youth through the game of basketball. In challenging times, East County Midnight Basketball League has the goal of bringing awareness to gun violence, introducing life coaching and, of course, teaching athletic skills. Congratulations, East County Midnight Basketball League!
Since 2000, LMCHD has invested millions of dollars through its grantmaking process to support community-driven efforts to improve health and wellness and promote preventative measures.
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Community Garden: The Awesome Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects |
When a garden welcomes pollinators, we all win. The beneficial insects get food, and we get the results of their significant presence with a healthy ecosystem. “Those bees, butterflies, beetles and others do a crucial work: they pollinate the flowers of plants that produce apples, tomatoes, and many more edible goods,” explained Jasmine Cisneros, who oversees the Community Garden at LMCHD.
How can we make our garden a place that will attract these beneficial insects? The key word is flowers. Their nectar is irresistible. And you don’t need to have a big garden! You can grow flowers in a five-gallon bucket. Calendulas are a great option, as well as cilantro and onions!
You take your pick. The mix of flowers, colors and aromas will likely bring a good feel to your home as well. And you can learn more! On June 13th at 3 pm, the Community Garden will offer a class about “Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects.”
In this class, we’re going to talk about the “good guys” and the different types of beneficial bugs you can find, and how they help your garden. Please see the flyer below for more details.
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And as we get ready for this class, we are near completing our four week long lesson of “Little Sprouts Academy.” Every Friday, since May 21st, children have been reading, coloring and planting in our community garden! We partnered with First 5 California to reach out and invite families in our area to support parenting and early childhood development. You can see the activities in the video below.
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The wonders of gardens and plants can be part of the experiences that children will cherish throughout their lives. At Los Medanos Community Healthcare District, we value the opportunity to provide activities that inspire and promote wellness for our kids on their pathway to a successful future.
During the four weeklong lesson at the Little Sprouts Garden Academy, children are encouraged to explore the amazing journey in the food process and learn how to grow their own fresh organic produce.
With the guidance of experts, the garden becomes a classroom with lessons about teamwork and dedication. Thank you all for participating! For more information, click here.
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Healthy Aging Initiative: Getting Ready for Summer |
What a year this has been! We are excited about the new opportunities to be outside and connect with the community, as more residents are vaccinated. As we approach this new chapter with enthusiasm, it is important that we take into consideration what we can do to be prepared for the high temperatures in order to stay healthy.
Dr. Marcus Lorenzo Penn, MD, CYT of the LMCHD Healthy Aging Initiative points out the need to make sure we are always hydrated. That is critical to having a safe summer.
Maintaining a diet with vegetables and colorful fruits can make a huge difference as well. Mangos, watermelons, and pineapples can be nutritious for our bodies.
He also has a “social prescription” to share. Life is starting to come back as we used to know it, with more events we can participate in. For mental and physical wellness, being outdoors, breathing fresh air, seeing other people's facial expressions, and smiling again can provide a big health boost for us.
As we adjust to life after the pandemic, it is important to look back and reflect on the things we have learned, and are grateful for, explained Dr. Penn. Feeling gratitude is uplifting and healing. Remember that mental and physical wellness are all connected.
Every Monday, Dr. Penn offers a free class via Zoom or through the LMCHD Facebook, as part of a program provided by LMCHD based on yoga, promoting stress reduction and fall prevention.
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Souljahs Juneteenth Celebration and
LMCHD Healthcare Fair
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We are proud to partner with Souljahs to honor history and serve our community! Get ready for a wonderful event at City Park in Pittsburg.
You are invited to Souljahs 10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and LMCHD Healthcare Fair. It will take place on Saturday, June 19th, from noon to 3:00 pm at Railroad & Civic Avenue. We will enjoy Blues and African drummers and dancers, Gospel and Spoken Word.
At the same time, we’ll have the opportunity to get COVID-19 vaccines from Kaiser Permanente. Besides immunization that saves lives, the newly vaccinated that day will receive raffle prize tickets.
For more information, see below.
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Keeping Your LMCHD Going Forward |
The efforts to save your healthcare district are ongoing. We are proud to benefit local community organizations and initiatives for the health and wellbeing of our neighbors, and strongly believe that our local voters are the ones who should decide the future of LMCHD. Your voice should be heard.
AB 903, a bill that proposes the dissolution of Los Medanos Community Healthcare District, passed the Assembly, and is now in the Senate committee. If the Senate approves it and if the governor signs it, LMCHD will be dissolved by 2022. Our area will lose a healthcare district and a partner that has cared for our families and provided resources to the most disadvantaged residents since 1948.
Our LMCHD Board President Patt Young and Board Director Dennisha Owens-Marsh participated in an event organized by the East County North Star, discussing the challenges that your Los Medanos Community Healthcare District is facing. You can see the video here.
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We appreciate the support we are receiving from our community. If you’d like your voice to be heard, please consider sending an email to the Senate committee by using this link. Thank you!
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Calendar of Upcoming Events |
There are many events and activities planned for this summer! Please take a look.
June 11
Garden Academy: Little Sprouts (last week of 4 week program)
The key to raising healthy children is early experiences in the garden. At the LMCHD Community Children’s Garden we encourage children to explore, read, color and plant in our garden.
June 13, 3 pm
The Community Garden will offer a class about “Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects.”
June 14, 12:30 pm
Healthy Aging: Stress Reduction – Falls Prevention. Join our “Hip Celebration.” Please find details here.
June 19
Juneteenth: Souljahs 10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & LMCHD Healthcare Fair
Juneteenth -- On “Freedom’s Eve” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free.
June 21, 12:30 pm
Healthy Aging: Stress Reduction – Falls Prevention. Details here.
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Stay Connected with LMCHD |
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