|
AmeriCorps: A Successful Year of Service
Last year was the maiden voyage of the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and Public Health AmeriCorps partnership. Through this program, we gained valuable volunteer assistance for our internal programs while at the same time providing a learning ground for the next generation of public health leaders who reflect the communities they serve.
As we commence the recruitment process for the upcoming AmeriCorps cohort and approach the conclusion of the current cohort's year, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our five AmeriCorps members who have dedicated themselves to service over the past several months. These young people used their talents to move the needle forward on service access, behavioral health, and health equity. Juggling school and/or other jobs, they served in either a part- time or full-time capacity to support almost all BCHD departments. Below is a piece of their story…
| |
|
Lory Aguinaldo
Lory joined us from California State University, Dominguez Hills where she earned her Master's degree in Negotiations, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding this past May! During her time at BCHD, Lory has played a crucial role in our Community Services department, offering care management support and actively engaging with the community. She has served as a Brain Buddy and Conversation Companion for our care management clients, contributing significantly to their well-being. Additionally, Lory has been a vital member of our Information, Assistance and Referral line, responding to calls and supplying our community with the necessary resources and assistance.
| |
|
Melody Escamilla-Sanchez
“I am an AmeriCorps Intern at BCHD and primarily work within Community Services. During my time here I have been a Conversation Companion, helped set up events such as Summer Free Fitness and worked on the Assistance, Information & Referral line. I have worked on and improved my communication and social skills here. I learned that I like connecting and listening to other people's experiences as a Conversation Companion. I also enjoy the community that BCHD creates both inside the organization and with the community involved. The workplace is so inviting and kind that I always feel appreciated.”
| |
|
Sabeerah Najee-Ullah
“Hello BCHD Community!!! My name is Sabeerah Najee-Ullah and it has been a pleasure serving you all as an AmeriCorp Member. Some of my biggest passions in life are music and disability advocacy and here at BCHD, I’ve been able to uplift the voices of the disabled community in the three Beach Cities. Over the past six months, I have co-led the relaunch of Brain Buddies, which is one of our Older Adult programs aimed to provide companionship and fun activities to our residents with memory diagnoses and residents with disabilities via our BCHD volunteers. Secondly, I’m a part of our DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) task force to continue BCHD’s goals of inclusivity and equity. Lastly, and most importantly, I’ve been working in our Volunteer Services department pairing our wonderful volunteers with our wonderful older adult clients who may need extra support. Lately, we’ve been receiving calls from residents thanking us for their volunteers and that has been such a joy to hear. It’s been a pleasure volunteering here!”
| |
|
Jimena Salazar
Jimena joined us as a recent graduate from the University of San Diego with a degree in Public Health – Epidemiology. During her time at BCHD, Jimena has played a pivotal role in supporting allcove Beach Cities by training both staff and volunteers. Additionally, she has actively contributed to our DEI task force. Jimena's significant impact is evident in the successful restructuring of allcove's parent coaching program, where she continued to provide ongoing support. Notably, we've witnessed Jimena's growth in both confidence and public speaking skills.
| |
|
Jamie Vu
Jamie is currently pursuing a degree in Psychobiology at UCLA and has been supporting our Well-Being Services department. During her time at BCHD Jamie has played a key role in launching our Mental Health Awareness dashboard. She has actively assisted in our Mental Health First Aid trainings, taking on responsibilities such as registration, facilitation, and participant follow-up. Jamie has also been instrumental in supporting our Mental Health & Happiness Workshops and QPR Suicide Prevention Training. Additionally, she has served as a facilitator in our activation booth at community events.
| |
|
We will miss you and know you will do great things using the knowledge you have acquired while working at BCHD. Best of luck with your future endeavors!
For more information, and to apply to be a Public Health AmeriCorps Member with us, please visit the Public Health AmeriCorps website here or you can also reach out to Volunteers@bchd.org for more information.
| |
|
Holiday Gift Bags Assembly
Written by Sue Murray, Volunteer Highlight Writer
The holiday season can be quiet and lonely for many people. While many of us spend time with friends or families, sharing gifts and laughter, many of the older adults in the Beach Cities may be alone, with no gifts to open.
For this reason, the South Bay Auxiliary volunteer group, which was part of South Bay Hospital, started the Holiday Gift Bag program for older adults in the Care Management program in 1998.
| |
|
Holiday Gift Bag Project Successes
This year all recipients were provided with fuzzy warm socks, an aluminum water bottle, batteries, stamps, calendars, a small chocolate treat, unscented hand lotion, lip balm, pens and a puzzle book.
- 260 older adults received gift bags which were delivered by 157 community members, including BCHD volunteers, and Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach first responders.
- 40 donors contributed $8,457.33 including:
- 26 organizations and individuals/families donated $100 or more each.
- MinuteMan Press and South Bay Home Health donated custom calendars.
- Nadel donated the custom bags used to place all items inside.
- Holiday cards were decorated and provided to all recipients due to the generosity and care of the National Charity League, Hermosas Hermanos, Birney Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council, BCHD’s Youth Advisory Group, and various community members.
- $3,320 of grocery gift cards were purchased and provided to our lower-income older adults.
| |
|
What’s Happening This Month:
Department Spotlight: Center for Health & Fitness
About the Center for Health & Fitness
Center for Health and Fitness (CHF) is the most comprehensive fitness center in the South Bay. State-of-the-art fitness center, yoga, Pilates, weight management and staff dietitian are just some of what’s offered. Whether you're devoted to exercise or just getting started, CHF offers everything you need to achieve your goals, all in one place, at affordable rates.
CHF’s mission is to continually improve the health of the community through programs and services that promote healthy living and active aging through an integrated continuum of care.
Learn more at www.beachcitiesgym.org.
Did you know?
CHF became the only certified medically based fitness center in the state of California in 2019 by the Medical Fitness Association. It is one of 45 in the United States and one of 47 in the world.
Membership Rates
No negotiations, no annual commitment and no enrollment fees. At CHF you’ll always find straight-forward pricing and friendly staff who make it easy to begin your path to wellness.
|  | |
|
Diamond Street Bike & Pedestrian Path is Open!
BCHD welcomed the community to the Diamond Street Bike & Pedestrian Path Ribbon cutting. This event celebrated the completion of this portion of the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan as it is an important connector for residents in North Redondo, Torrance and the South Bay to safely access Redondo Union High School, the Pier and the great beaches in Redondo Beach!
We’d like to thank the Diamond Street and Prospect Avenue neighbors for their patience and their understanding during construction. We’d like to also thank those who contributed to the completion of this project:
- Beach Cities Health District Board Members
- Redondo Beach City Council Members
- Redondo Beach School Board Members
- Redondo Beach City Staff
- METRO
- South Bay Cities Council of Governments
- South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus
Your collaboration, effort and support are appreciated as we finalize this new, improved bike path!
| |
|
Join us at the next BCHD Board Meeting
All volunteers are welcome to attend Board meetings held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. The next Board meeting is Wednesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. Beach Cities Health District, Beach Cities Room - Lower Level, 514 N. Prospect Ave. Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
Get information on upcoming meetings and leave public comments on agendas here: https://www.bchd.org/public-meetings.
| |
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 Campus Greeter
Volunteers (14+) greet all guests who enter the 514 Prospect Avenue building while also providing general support and customer service duties for the full BCHD campus. Duties include greeting guests and tenants, providing information and referrals 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 regularly is required.
| |
|
Event Volunteer Opportunities
It is important for Beach Cities Health District to be out in the community sharing our programs and resources with our residents.
Redondo Beach Super Bowl 5k/10k
Join BCHD at the Redondo Beach Super Bowl 5k/10k run on February 10 and 11, 2024 at Seaside Lagoon. Volunteers at the booth will assist staff with handing out promotional materials, running the inflatable slide and assisting with an arts and crafts project. Those choosing to assist with the Kid's Run, will cheer on and help direct participants.
Volunteer Shifts:
Saturday - 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., 12:45 - 4:45 p.m. and
Sunday - 6:15 - 8 a.m., 7 - 11 a.m.
This is a great family and youth activity to get out and get active! Click here for more information about this event.
A Word From Our Community Partner – South Bay Parkland Conservancy
If you are interested in volunteering directly with the Conservancy, please check out our opportunities here: https://www.southbayparks.org/volunteer-opportunities (Only Wilderness Park and Hermosa Greenbelt are active right now)
Additionally, the Conservancy hosts guided Nature Walks in Wilderness Park every month. The sign-up is here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ba5a829a7facf8-wilderness15#/
Please note that BCHD is not involved with these programs and will not be participating onsite. Should you have any questions please contact the SBPC directly at info@southbayparks.org.
| |
|
Volunteer Hours
We are grateful for the 18,239 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2023. This number includes groceries shopped for, prescriptions picked up, calls made, visits to our older adult clients, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check-ins, committees met, administrative support, intern projects, gardens kept, and more. Thank you all! We know BCHD volunteers will continue doing remarkable things in 2024.
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 2,337.75
August 2,337.35
September 2,214.50
October 2,356.48
November 2,808.42
December 1,907.00
Total: 26,520.87 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!
| |
|
January
Carol & Chuck Johnson, 23
Marilyn Rafkin, 12
Dennis Heck, 10
Melinda Palmer, 7
Joan Stolba, 5
Karen Yost-Heck, 4
James Brown, 3
Chelsea Chan, 1
Dawn Bransby, 1
| |
*Official years of service in BCHD system. | |
|
Dementia Caregiver Support Groups
Are you caring for a loved one with dementia and in search of more support? Join BCHD social workers for an 8-week caregiver support group in Redondo Beach to connect with others, share your experience and receive support. We have two options available:
General Caregiver Support Group
(facilitated by Joy Schmidt, LCSW)
Mondays, 12 - 1:30 p.m. beginning January 29, 2024
Men's Caregiver Support Group
(for male caregivers facilitated by Rudy Diaz, MSW)
Wednesdays, 12 - 1:30 p.m., beginning February 7, 2024
1200 Del Amo St., Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
| |
|
Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager Charlotte Barnett
If you have a question regarding community resources, want to learn more about Beach Cities Health District or share and learn ways to keep busy, please join us! These meetings are for all, a place to connect and feel heard.
First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual
(February 6 & 20)
10 – 11 a.m.
Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014
2nd Mondays, In person
(February 12)
2 – 3 p.m.
Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room
1601 N Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
| |
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
(February 7)
4 – 4:30 p.m.
| |
|
Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat
Second Tuesday of the Month
(February 13)
10 - 11 a.m.
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87374623578
The Families Connected Parent Chat is a free monthly support group open to all South Bay parents and caregivers. Provided in partnership between BCHD, South Bay Families Connected and Thelma McMillen Center, the Parent Chat offers its participants a confidential and supportive space to share their parenting challenges and successes. Please note that the Parent Chat is not a therapeutic program, but rather a peer-to-peer support group with educational guidance from a mental health professional.
| |
|
Virtual Happiness Chats
This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!
Second Tuesday of the Month
(February 13)
12:30 – 1 p.m.
| |
|
|
Ask an Advocate: Introducing our new Medicare Counseling Program with the Center for Health Care Rights
Do you have questions about Medicare? Learn more about free, unbiased Medicare help from the Center for Health Care Rights, which runs the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Los Angeles County.
During this session, a representative from HICAP will explain more about their free Medicare information and counseling services, which types of Medicare questions and problems they can assist with, and will also hold a question and answer session so that you can get some of your pressing Medicare questions answered.
Thursday, February 15
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
514 N. Prospect Ave.
Lower Level, Beach Cities Room
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
| |
|
The South Bay Dementia Education Consortium Presents: Accessing Affordable Dementia Care
Join us for an overview of Medi-Cal, including recent asset changes and the Spousal Impoverishment benefit, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and other Medicaid waiver programs that can support you in caring for your loved one with dementia.
The presentation will be led by Kim Selfon, the Medi-Cal and IHSS Policy Specialist from Bet Tzedek Legal Services and Emily Brosius, LCSW, Director of Community Services with Beach Cities Health District followed by ample time for questions and answers from attendees.
Thursday, February 22
3 - 4:30 p.m.
| |
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
QPR Suicide Prevention Training helps 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. Attendees will have the opportunity to take home a free Narcan (common brand name of naloxone) kit.
February 27, 2024
4 - 6 p.m.
514 N Prospect Ave.,
Redondo Beach
Lower Level – Beach Cities Room
| |
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, March 8, 2024
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Beach Cities Health District
Beach Cities Room
514 N. Prospect Ave.,
Redondo Beach
| | | | |
