Newsletter: Volume 2, Number 11

Community Engagement at the

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI)

Mission: The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) Community Engagement core group aims to serve as a bridge between research and the community, ensuring collaborative solutions to Los Angeles' most pressing health challenges.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

• A Message to Our Community Members
• Taste of Soul
• Recent Article
• Community Event

• Resources
• The Healthy Food Corner
• Health Research Studies
• Inspirational Quote

South Los Angeles Community Engagement Team Members:

Tyrone Nance, MA

Lead Community Outreach Specialist

 213.910.0243

Tyrone.Nance@med.usc.edu

Natayla Seals

Community Outreach Coordinator

323.447.7905

Natayla.Seals@med.usc.edu

Esther Karpilow

Community Outreach Coordinator

213-446-7388

Esther.Karpilow@med.usc.edu

A Message to Our Community Members:

As we transition into November, we want to extend our warmest greetings and share some exciting updates from the South L.A. Community Engagement (CE) team. Throughout the month of October, we've embarked on a meaningful journey, conducting senior listening sessions with individuals aged 65 and older in our community.

The heart of these sessions was to listen, learn, and gain valuable insights into the challenges and obstacles our seniors face daily. From healthcare accessibility to housing, and from community concerns to the overall quality of life, we have been attentive to their stories, experiences, and aspirations.



Thank you for being a part of our community, and for supporting us in our mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our seniors.

Taste of Soul

The SC CTSI’s Community Engagement team was invited to table at the 18th annual Taste of Soul Festival alongside other USC community organizations on Saturday, October 21.

Taste of Soul is the largest one-day street festival in Los Angeles. This annual event draws nearly 350,000 attendees each year who come to immerse themselves in all things soulful on historic Crenshaw Blvd.

During the event, the Community Engagement team connected with community members and had the opportunity to meet potential new community partners who are dedicated to addressing the health needs of the Los Angeles community.

Check out our recap video here.

Check out our interview with Steve Wesson, Managing Director of Community Partnerships and USC Village Ombudsperson, here.

Recent Article

The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute's "Fundamentals of Health Research" training equips promotores de salud to enhance Latino participation in academic health studies.

Read more about how we're fostering trust, inclusivity, and creating career opportunities at the new Discovery Translational Hub on the USC Health Science Campus.

Community Event

Community Wellness Festival

An Evening of Wellness and Community: Featuring the Documentary, "Stressed"

Thursday, November 9 · 6:30pm - 8:30pm PST

Thrive Health & Wellness Collective

2905 Stanford Avenue #Unit A

Marina del Rey, CA 9029

About this event:

Immerse yourself in the world of wellness and connect with like-minded individuals who value their health.

The highlight of the event will be the screening of the documentary film, "Stressed". Get ready to gain insights and explore the history of stress and the impact it has on our physical and mental health. You will discover how you can shift out of a stressed state and into a relaxed state in order to heal.

For more information, click here.

Resources

Findhelp.org is a great resource that helps you search and connect to find support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost resources.

The Healthy Food Corner

We know what you're thinking: Low-carb recipes can tend to be kind of boring, and also kind of hard to convince the rest of the family to eat. But we're here to set the record straight: Whether you're following the keto diet, looking to cut back on gluten, or simply looking to try some new healthy recipes.



For more healthy recipes, click here.

How to prepare:

1. In a large bowl, stir together shrimp, cumin, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss until combined, then let marinate in the fridge 10 minutes.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat remaining tablespoon oil. Add shrimp and marinade cook until pink, 2 minutes per side.
3. Assemble wraps: Add shrimp and avocado to lettuce, drizzle with sour cream, and garnish with cilantro. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 390 calorie

Total Fat 12.5g

Saturated Fat 6.8g

Sodium 286mg

Carbohydrates 78g

Fiber 4.2g



Protein 22.3g

Health Research Studies

RECOVER

A team of researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are conducting a study to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 in people under 25 years of age who are suspected of having or have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

They want to understand...

• How COVID affects a child's body
• How many children continue to feel sick after getting COVID-19
• Why some children feel sick for so long

Participants will be compensated for their time and participation in the study.

To obtain more information, please get in touch with Natayla Seals at natayla.seals@med.usc.edu or call (323) 447-7905.

THRIVE

The Research In Virtual Environments Study (THRIVE) is looking for teenagers to participate in a research study where they will explore a virtual city!

Along with parental consent, you may be eligible if you are:

• Between 14-17 years old
• Fluent in English
• Can control a joystick
• Have at least 1cm of hair
• Not pregnant
• Good physical and mental health (i.e., no history of high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease)

The goal is to examine how adolescents' minds and bodies respond to different city environments to better understand how neighborhoods affect health.

Eligible participants will be compensated for their time.

For more information, please call (213) 821-9501 or email natayla.seals@med.usc.edu.

Inspirational Quote

“Fear not November’s challenge bold -- We’ve books and friends, and hearths that never can grow cold. These make amends!” -Alexander Louis Fraser

Suggestions, ideas, corrections? Have something to include in the December 2023 edition of this newsletter? Please email Natayla Seals at natayla.seals@med.usc.edu.

To learn more about Southern California Clinical and Translational Science, visit our website at sc-ctsi.org.