Newsletter: Volume 2, Number 12

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
• Article: Nickerson Gardens Town Hall
• 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:

Season's Greetings from the Community Engagement team at SC CTSI!

As we embrace the holiday spirit, we extend our warmest wishes to each of you. It's been an incredible year of collaboration, growth, and impactful outreach within the Los Angeles community.

This festive season, we celebrate our team's achievements and the connections we've made with both community members and partners. Your commitment to advancing health equity has been the driving force behind our success.

May your holidays be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Here's to a season of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for the promising year ahead.

SC CTSI's town hall in Nickerson Gardens serves as a catalyst for community collaboration in the pursuit of health equity

The SC CTSI’s Community Engagement core group has implemented a place-based approach in Nickerson Gardens, conducting confidential listening sessions to understand the healthcare challenges within the community.

On November 7, a town hall meeting was held in collaboration with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, addressing issues such as healthcare access, transportation, and health education.

SC CTSI plans to establish the Nickerson Gardens Coordinating Council in 2024, aiming for systemic change and improved healthcare support.

Check out our recap video here.

Read the full article here.

Community Event

Community Winter Wonderland: Toy Drive 2023

Date: Dec. 9th, 2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm.

Location: Salt Lake Park

3401 E. Florence Ave

Huntington, Park, CA 90255

Admission: FREE!

Get ready for a magical winter experience filled with fun and free activities for everyone.

• Toy distribution for kids
• Artificial ice rink for kids (Ages 6-13)
• Health screenings
• Kids haircuts
• Arts & crafts
• Raffles
• Food distribution
• And so much more!

Click here for more information.

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



For more healthy recipes, click here.

How to prepare:

• Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, onion, oil, garlic, 1 teaspoon thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray.

• In a small bowl, mix paprika and the remaining thyme, salt and pepper. Sprinkle chicken with paprika mixture; arrange over vegetables. Top with lemon slices. Roast until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 170°-175° and vegetables are just tender, 35-40 minutes.



• Remove chicken to a serving platter; keep warm. Top vegetables with spinach. Roast until vegetables are tender and spinach is wilted, 8-10 minutes longer. Stir vegetables to combine; serve with chicken.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 264 calorie per piece of chicken

Total Fat 12.5g

Saturated Fat 3g

Sodium 548mg

Carbohydrates 64g

Fiber 18g



Protein 21g

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

"December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come." - Fennel Hudson

Suggestions, ideas, corrections? Have something to include in the January 2024 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.