Gilroy
– After a successful first run in September, plans are underway
for the Second Annual Gilroy Community Health Day.
The event, to be held May 21 at Glen View Elementary School,
will provide a variety of health resources and information in both
English and Spanish.
Gilroy – After a successful first run in September, plans are underway for the Second Annual Gilroy Community Health Day.
The event, to be held May 21 at Glen View Elementary School, will provide a variety of health resources and information in both English and Spanish.
Last year’s inaugural health day at Kaiser Gilroy Medical Offices served more than 500 people and was supported by about 60 agencies.
This year, the committee hopes to expand both in terms of outreach and the number of service providers, said Art Barron, president of the Gilroy Eigleberry Neighborhood Association that’s helping organize the event.
“The collaboration we’ve seen this year is just awesome. We’re seeing people work together, and it’s a great thing,” he said.
The health day, completely free for participants, also will include a children’s area with arts and crafts, games and jump houses, as well as entertainment and food.
One notable feature of last year’s health day that will return this year is “talk with the doc,” a 15-minute, one-on-one consultation with doctors who will provide resource information and opportunities for follow-up appointments.
The event is organized and supported by several local agencies including Kaiser Permanente, the Gilroy Unified School District, the Gilroy Police Department, the Gilroy Fire Department and Saint Louise Regional Hospital.
The city also is on board including help from Daniel Chavez, a neighborhood specialist with housing and community development, and councilman Paul Correa.
The neighborhood association received a $4,500 grant this year from Resources for Families and Communities, a nonprofit that provides support for community-based organizations throughout Santa Clara County.
The grant will help fund the health day, along with support from in-kind donations and the South County Collaborative, a collection of social service providers around the county.
One of the reasons the neighborhood association is involved with the health day, Barron said, is because many residents in and around the Eigleberry neighborhood might not realize that health care is available to them.
This year’s location at Glen View should make it much easier for the targeted participants to walk to the event.
“Even though there are agencies out there that will help with insurance and health coverage, we feel there’s a lot of people who fall through the cracks,” Barron said. “This is a place where there will be a lot of resources right at their fingertips.”
Gilroy health day committee meeting:
Committee will discuss plans for the May 21 fair to be held at Glen View Elementary School.
When:
Feb 9, 2005 from 9 to 10:30am.
Where:
Gilroy Unified School District office, 77810 Arroyo Circle.
The public is encouraged to attend.
