The Diocesan Emergency Operations Collaborative Office (EOC) has expanded its emergency services ministry program by co-hosting emergency and health assistance fairs in conjunction with other community-based organizations in San Bernardino County.
With its partner, PACE/WellBe Health, EOC held its first Senior Emergency and Health Assistance Fair on May 2 at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino. More than 200 parishioners attended the fair and received much needed resources from more than two dozen non-profit vendors, who offered emergency and disaster assistance information; Medi-Care enrollment; dental care exams; Alzheimer’s education; hearing and vision tests; immigration assistance and other critical services to senior citizens.
“Assistance to our senior community is so critical to our diocese at this time, as our population ages, particularly when so many elderly are impacted by the loss of government services in critical emergency response, health and safety support,” stated Sister Leticia Salazar, ODN, Chancellor of the diocese.
Free emergency, medical and health supplies were distributed including fire blankets, emergency light sticks, medical ID cards, flashlights, first aid kits and hygiene supplies for both home and car. One-on-one assistance was provided to seniors who needed regular daily nutrition through Meals-on-Wheels and other food pantry services. Other services available through various non-profits to multi-generational families that have responsibility as caretakers of seniors were also available.
Information about the fair travelled quickly throughout the diocese and, as a result, EOC has secured the commitment from PACE/WellBe Health and other emergency service providers to continue to co-host these events at other parishes – not only in San Bernardino County but also expanding to Riverside County parishes.
“Bishop Rojas is excited to support this diocesan-community-based organization partnership,” noted Monsignor Gerard Lopez, Vicar General of the diocese. “Our pastoral mission continues to focus on offering hope to those in need, as we live the message of the Gospel, through these parish offerings.”
EOC and partnering vendors also supported a ‘children’s table’ of rosary making, coloring books, crayons and drawing cards of saints for young attendees, so that parents and grandparents could wander through the fair and attend the various webinar, hands-on and video presentations unimpeded.
Stay tuned for future fair announcements as dates are confirmed with parishes.