Volunteer Spotlight:
Youth Advisory Councils' Summer Engagement Workgroup
Creative talents work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Each year, BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council, comprised of more than 80 middle and high school students (grades 8-12) from Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach schools, play an important role in the health and well-being of their Beach Cities peers.
With health as their focus, 2020 has clearly been one of the Council’s most important and demanding years. So, this month we thought we’d take a look at the incredibly effective support that this enterprising team has provided.
This year, 17 students from the Youth Advisory Council’s Summer Engagement Workgroup were tasked with creating a COVID-19 Health & Safety Campaign to educate the community into about how certain actions can impact the rate of infections.
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BCHD continues to publish a regular newsletter, website updates and social media posts to provide the community with the latest information regarding COVID-19 health guidance, testing, closures, and recovery. Be a health leader in the community by staying informed and staying safe.
In addition to physical distancing and wearing cloth face coverings when we are around others, we all still need to take the same precautions that we were taking earlier on in the pandemic - wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and self-isolate if you are sick. These actions combined are the best defense against COVID-19.
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Featured Opportunity: Computer Operator at Test Site
This volunteer opportunity involves operating computers at our COVID-19 test site. Volunteers will confirm appointments and issue test kits to individuals. Must be 18+ and have familiarity with operating a computer (e.g. how to scroll, type, use the keypad, drop down menu, open an app). Volunteers will be provided with masks and gloves and must follow site safety protocol. Shifts are available Monday - Sunday from 7:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m.
Featured Opportunity: Spanish Bilingual Translator
We are looking for volunteers who are proficient in written Spanish to assist the District with translating a variety of documents from English to Spanish. Shift times are flexible and this opportunity is on an as-needed basis.
Featured Opportunity: Volunteer Services Purpose Connector
Volunteer Services is seeking a personable volunteer who likes talking to people and is experienced using a computer (including Outlook email, spreadsheets and basic computer databases) to connect with prospective volunteers and help with back-end operations. Familiarity with BCHD volunteer programs is a bonus. A weekly 4-hour shift can be flexibly scheduled during weekdays and be done remotely.
Interested in any of these roles?
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Volunteers Continue Supporting Vulnerable Residents |
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While most BCHD volunteer roles continue to be on hold for safety reasons, some groups are meeting virtually and others are providing support to residents like running errands for essential supplies. We also have volunteers making check-in calls to BCHD clients which increases connection and reduces social isolation from a distance.
Volunteers are now assisting with delivering ready-to-eat meals to vulnerable community members, operating computers and calling people who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Redondo Beach test site.
As shown on the chart below, volunteer support for older adults and other vulnerable Beach Cities residents continues to increase.
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Volunteer Hours
In 2019, volunteers reported more than 36,000 hours which made a big impact on the individual and collective level. We know that 2020 will not reach that level because of the COVID-19 situation. However, considering the reality of this time, we feel the hours you’ve given to our programs are remarkable and don’t fully capture the support people have given to the community.
January: 3,015
February: 2,503
March: 1,196
April: 412
May: 334
June: 1,474
July: 783
August: 902
2020 Total: 10,619
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Volunteer Anniversaries
Although many of you aren’t actively volunteering in your usual roles right now, we are endlessly grateful for your commitment. The many collective years of effort toward a healthy beach community from our volunteer corps is truly incredible.
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September Anniversaries*
Jackie Leon, 14
Dee Dee Klute Evans, 11
Karen Brandhorst, 8
Lindley Montoya, 7
Terri (Mary) Burschinger, 4
Donna Chiodo-Guthrie, 4
Christopher Conaway, 3
Christina Dier, 3
Ellen Gilman, 3
Jo Labor, 3
Barbara Skas, 3
Jennifer Kuchler, 2
Teri Neustaedter, 2
Gloria Robinson, 2
Shali Thai, 2
Kenneth Carr, 1
Janet Christy, 1
John McCarthy, 1
Marcel Sekesan, 1
Jessica Taylor Vara, 1
Edith Warren, 1
Diane Yu, 1
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* Official years of service in BCHD system. |
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While BCHD general operations have shifted to community response to COVID-19, we aren’t doing events or on-boarding new volunteers for our regular roles. However, we do still want to connect our volunteers! Thank you to all who have been able to join our Virtual Volunteer Socials thus far! We’ve had so much fun sharing and connecting and feels nice to “see” you! |
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Join Our Virtual Socials
“I’m really enjoying the BCHD Volunteer Social Hour on Zoom each month. Although, I was not a Zoom fan, I'm getting used to it and really having fun and getting to better know the other volunteers!" - Kim Neglia, Conversation Companion
Miss seeing your fellow volunteers?
Wanted to come to a social but not been able to because of the timing?
We are looking for your feedback on the day and time of our Virtual Volunteer Socials! Please take one minute to complete our poll and VOTE for your ideal time to join us for social time with other volunteers, chatting, playing games, and staying connected.
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Our next Virtual Volunteer Social will be Thursday September 17th 1-2pm
“Bring” something that reminds you of Fall to share in our “Show and Tell”
NOTE: October socials to be determined based on poll feedback - stay tuned!
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Join a Virtual Moai
Looking to connect with others in the community who share similar interests? A Moai (pronounced “Mo-Eye”) is a group of people meeting for a common purpose and can include activities like walking, purpose discussions and potluck meals. The word “Moai” comes from Okinawa, Japan, where neighbors use Moais as support systems. Based on this tradition, Moai groups are considered just as important to a person’s health as the benefits of being active, healthy eating, and finding a purpose.
Play a game, check out a book club, talk about purpose, photography or healthy eating, have a virtual dinner with others or start your own group!
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Just For Fun Puzzle!
Enjoy some down time solving this super fun Word Search by finding all of the words hidden in the puzzle. The words may be placed diagonally, horizontally, vertically, or backwards.
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September Word Bank
Chilly
Community
Friends
Happiness
Helping
September
Student
Teacher
Welcome
Wellbeing
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August Crossword Answer Key |
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Whether you're looking for COVID-19 or testing information, a local mental health provider or wanting assistance with errands, call the Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. to access the below services during COVID-19.
Our errand assistance program provides essentials to Beach Cities residents including groceries and household and cleaning supplies. The program now includes meal delivery services, providing affordable and healthy meals for home delivery to vulnerable populations and those safer at home in the Beach Cities.
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Virtual Mental Health & Happiness: An Introduction to the Series
This introduction provides an overview of the series designed to support well-being through gratitude, empathy, bravery and purpose. Learn techniques to build a practice supporting stress resilience and positive social connections.
September 18
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
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Virtual Moai Social: Book Discussion
We will discuss "Mastering Your Motivation: Three Scientific Truths for Achieving Your Goals" by Susan Fowler. Kathleen Terry will guide us on how each of us can stop bad habits, start new ones and support ourselves and others in setting meaningful goals that we are motivated to accomplish.
Wednesday, September 23
4 p.m.
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Virtual BCHD Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, September 23
6:30 p.m.
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Virtual Active Aging Week
October 5 - 9
Mark your calendars for Active Aging Week and take action toward maintaining and improving your health. Enjoy free virtual lectures from Dr. William Kim, BCHD's Chief Medical Officer, Dianne Staso, CHF's Registered Dietitian and local health experts.
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Virtual Happiness Chat
This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!
Tuesdays
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
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