Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Adelanto hosted a community health fair on April 7 in coordination with San Bernardino County Public Health, the Diocesan Office of Emergency Operations Collaborative (EOC), and the Diocesan Department of Life, Dignity and Justice (LDJ). The event included free COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, San Bernardino County Public Health resources, immigrant and undocumented immigrant services, family and child services, health care resources, and free giveaways. The Lestonnac Free Clinic administered free vision, dental, and medical services for approximately 82 people. A similar community health fair event took place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Bernardino on April 21.
Efforts in the Diocese also extend to the major issue of mental health.
On April 20, the Filipino Youth Ministry of the Diocese hosted “Hindi Nakakahiya,” Staying Resilient in the Face of Stress and Anxiety. The free event, held at St. Christopher Church in Moreno Valley, was welcome to all, but offered especially for all Filipino youth and their families. The event aimed to begin the intergenerational conversation and promote learning and acceptance our gifts of imperfection. This was done in a fun and inspiring way through a film screening, a guest speaker, breakout sessions for youth and parents, and empathy games for young children. The mental health event was in collaboration with the Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Centers and the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Cultural Competency.
In addition, the Department of Life, Dignity and Justice in collaboration with Family Behavioral Health Services, Inc. are holding three “Coping with Anxiety” mental health events in the month of May: on May 4 at Sacred Heart Church, Rancho Cucamonga; May 18 at Christ the Good Shepherd, Adelanto; and May 22 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. The event will include a keynote talk, workshop, testimonials and a panel discussion. For more information, please visit the Department of Life, Dignity and Justice website at lifedignityandjustice.wixsite.com.