August 2023

Brain Buddies is Re-Launching!

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) is happy to announce that we are re-launching the Brain Buddy program this month! To adhere to the California Health Mandate protocols, the program went on hiatus during the pandemic in order to protect our most vulnerable clients. 

Brain Buddy volunteers engage both our older adult clients and adult clients with disabilities with memory loss in structured activities to provide socialization and engagement. Volunteers are recruited, trained and matched with appropriate participants based on need and compatibility. 

Beach Cities Volunteer Day Was a Success!

Beach Cities Volunteer Day on Wednesday, August 9, at our Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach elementary schools, was an overwhelming success in support of the LiveWell Kids Program! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 120+ volunteers and nine organizations that joined us to revitalize the school gardens for the upcoming academic year. Additionally, we had the invaluable assistance of BCHD staff, both as Site Leaders and dedicated workers. Together, we made a significant impact on the school gardens, and we are truly thankful for everyone's participation and support. 

The goal of this enjoyable, family-oriented event was to improve the health of our community by promoting volunteerism. Engaging in simple acts of volunteering can yield numerous health benefits, including increased life satisfaction, stronger social connections and improved longevity. 

The morning started with high energy at the Alta Vista field, where BCHD honored remarkable community members during the kick-off event. 

Jennalee Leopard, a Mira Costa High School Senior, received the prestigious "Committed to Community" youth award for her active involvement in BCHD's Youth Advisory Council and allcove's Youth Advisory Group. Recognizing outstanding dedication to philanthropy and generous contributions to the Beach Cities community, the "Committed to Community" award was presented to California Water Service. Additionally, the "Partner in Health" award was bestowed upon South Bay Children's Health Center for its exceptional commitment to fostering partnerships and collaboration to benefit the Beach Cities community. 

Following these special recognitions, our AmeriCorps volunteers led a mindful moment with a stretching routine, preparing the volunteers for their respective garden sites. The day was off to an inspiring start as everyone eagerly embarked on their volunteering activities. 

Our volunteers enthusiastically embraced their labor of love, even if it meant a few beads of sweat. The atmosphere was filled with cheerfulness as they accomplished many garden tasks during the day. Tasks ranged from harvesting, cleaning up, planting, weeding, and assembling composters, among other things! Harvested produce was donated to various local charities and used as ingredients for hot meals for those in need in our community. The gardens look renewed and ready for our elementary school students to begin their lessons. 

Once again, a heartfelt thank you to all the participants. We could NOT do this without your help!

Interested in volunteering (getting back to it or taking the next step to volunteer) with BCHD?  See below for what’s currently available and please stay tuned to our newsletters and website as new opportunities arise! If you are or have been a BCHD volunteer or if you have questions, you’re invited to email us at Volunteers@bchd.org.

allcove Peer Assistant – High Need

allcove Beach Cities is a place for young people to take a moment of pause and access a range of services. Volunteers (ages 14+) will support allcove staff at the front desk by greeting guests and tenants, providing tours of the facility as needed, and assisting with administrative tasks including filing, supply inventory, data entry, pantry restocking, event preparation and more.

Weekly 3-hour shift commitment for at least 6 months is required.

Brain Buddy: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities 

Volunteers (18+) are matched with older adults and/or adults with memory loss and conduct weekly in-home visits to lead structured activities such as art, music, or games, providing socialization and engagement. Weekly 1-1.5 hour shift commitment. 

Errand Volunteer: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities  

Errand Volunteers (18+) are matched with one of our Care Management clients and do weekly shopping for basic needs like groceries and prescriptions. Weekly 1-1.5 hour shift commitment for at least 3 months required.  

Conversation Companion: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities 

Volunteers (18+) are matched with older adults and/or adults with disabilities to visit and engage in socialization activities such as life review, watching movies at home or in the theater, playing card or board games, taking walks, going for lunch, etc. Weekly 1-1.5 hour commitment. 

Administrative Office Front Desk Volunteer 

Our Admin and Community Services departments are looking for volunteers (18+) to help with telephone coverage; front desk screening of staff and visitors; periodic disinfection of shared spaces; mail and package distribution; badge making; supplies inventory; assembling marketing packets; assisting with Help Desk Ticket tasks and projects. A weekly 4-hour shift commitment on a regular basis is required.   

Campus Greeter  

Volunteers (14+) greet all guests who enter the 514 building while also providing general support and customer service duties for the full BCHD campus. Duties include greeting guests and tenants, providing information and referral to the public, walking visitors to/from medical appointments or allcove Beach Cities upon request, maintaining a clean and orderly area and tracking volunteer hours worked. Must be friendly, helpful and able to push wheelchairs and walk around the campus. Weekly 2- or 3-hour shifts required for one year; scheduling available Monday – Saturday.

*Expected commitment for High School students is a semester or over the summer. 

Center for Health & Fitness Front Desk Volunteer 

Are you outgoing and friendly and want to make a difference in your community? Volunteer at the front desk of our Center for Health and Fitness. Volunteers check in and greet members as they arrive at the gym as well as provide additional assistance to front desk staff. Basic computer skills and comfort with speaking on the phone are required. Must be at least 18+ and commit to 2 hours a week. Shift available: Sunday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Open Staff Positions (Paid)

Finance Technician (Paid)

BCHD is hiring for a Finance Technician who will be responsible for ensuring timely completion of accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R) and other assigned tasks of an accounting nature. This is a full time position and includes employee benefits. Click here for more details.

Volunteer Hours

We are grateful for the 18,239 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2022. This number includes calls made, visits to older adult clients, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check-ins, committee meetings, administrative support, grocery deliveries, prescription pick-ups, intern projects, garden maintenance, and more. Thank you for your commitment to help the community! We know BCHD volunteers will continue doing remarkable things in 2023.  

Volunteer Hours to date are:

January 2,333.42

February 1,535.42

March 2,169.42

April 2,185.33

May 2,524.53

June 1,811.25

July 2,166.75

Total: 14,726.12 hours

Volunteer Anniversaries

Thank you to these fabulous volunteers for their years of service! We’re so fortunate to have volunteers who are so committed to making this a healthy beach community! Congrats on your anniversary!  

August

Linda Donato 20 

Mary Drummer 18 

Amy Quan 8 

Barbara Carlson 8 

Marie Puterbaugh 6 

Teresa Haddad 4 

Randy Steinberg 1 

*Official years of service in BCHD system.

Join us for Zumba in the Park 

We have moved into the Zumba portion of our Summer Free Fitness Series! Join us every Monday in August at 6:30 p.m. on Julia Field at Alta Vista Park in Redondo Beach. Bring water, a towel, a smile and a friend! We hope to see you there! 

Julia Field, Alta Vista Park 

715 Julia Ave. 

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

For more information on the Beach Cities Free Fitness Series, please visit bchd.org/freefitness. 

2nd Mondays, In person  

(August 14) 

2 – 3 p.m.  

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room  

1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

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First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual 

(August 15 & September 5) 

10 – 11 a.m. 

Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014  

 Mental Health First Aid Training 

BCHD will host Mental Health First Aid trainings from the National Council for Mental Health. Similar to CPR training, individuals will learn how to provide support to people experiencing mental health challenges. It is an eight-hour training that requires two hours of pre-work and six hours of in-person instruction. At this training, you'll learn how to assess risk factors, provide initial support and connect individuals to professional resources, when needed.   

Friday, August 25 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) 

Friday, October 13 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)  

Beach Cities Health District  

514 N. Prospect Ave.  

Beach Cities Room, Lower Level  

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Blue Zones Project Social Hour 

Enjoy good company and practice some of Blue Zones Project’s Power 9 Principles of Longevity, including Down Shift and Right Tribe.

Wednesday, August 30

4 - 6 p.m. 

211 Palos Verdes Blvd.,

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Bettolino Kitchen is serving up Italian cuisine with a coastal California twist while giving back to the South Bay community. Their offerings include handmade pasta, organic and antibiotic free poultry and meats, sustainably sourced fresh fish and delicious desserts baked in house. Certified as a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant in 2016, they empower adults and children to select healthy and delicious menu options. 

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.



First Wednesday of the Month

(September 6)

4 – 4:30 p.m.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training 

During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, BCHD is hosting a QPR Suicide Prevention training to help individuals recognize warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade and Refer someone to help. The training is aimed at equipping people with the knowledge and skills necessary to intervene and support someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviors.



Learn skills to engage someone in crisis to discuss their distress, provide hope and refer them to someone who can formally assess and intervene.

This will be an 2-hour training session (In-Person) open to the community.

Tuesday, September 12 

4 – 5:30 p.m. 

Beach Cities Health District 

514 N. Prospect Ave.  

Lower Level, Beach Cities Room 

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Board of Directors Meeting

BCHD holds public board meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month (except August and December). Residents are encouraged to attend board meetings either via Zoom or in BCHD’s Beach Cities Room - Lower Level, 514 N. Prospect Ave. in Redondo Beach. You may also contact board members directly with questions or comments, or call 310-374-3426, ext. 8213.

Regular Board Meeting

Wednesday, September 27

6:30 p.m.