Camarena celebrates National Health Center Week
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Central California Blood Center phlebotomist Julieann Souza, center, assists Camarena Health staff volunteer donors, from left, Anel Martinez, Nancy Hernandez and Lizette Contreras during the Camarena Health Community Wellness & Resource Fair on Thursday.
Camarena Health played host to a Community Wellness and Resource Fair Thursday, a half day of fun, games, health, learning, and togetherness.
Camarena Health invited over 20 agencies from around the Madera and Fresno areas to share information about programs and services that are available in Madera community. It was designed to be a fun event for all!
Camarena Health is focused on the health and well-being of the community and approaches health from a holistic point of view. Having good health is more than just eating right and moving, it is also mental, emotional, social, and physical health.
The event provided information that touched on each of those elements.
This year’s event included a food distribution provided by the Madera County Food Bank, a Blood Drive conducted by the Central California Blood Center, a Kids Activity Zone hosted by Camarena Health Promotores de Salud volunteer program and medical students from the University of Merced.
The Kids Activity Zone included a magic show, backpack distribution, school supplies giveaway, and games.
National Health Center Week (Aug. 4-10) is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades.
Health centers serve 28 million patients nationwide — a number that continues to grow along with the demand for affordable primary care. In addition to their long history as health care homes to millions, health centers produce innovative solutions to the most pressing health care issues in their communities and reach beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the social determinants of health affecting special patient populations.
“Each year we celebrate the work and services health centers provide to special populations within their communities, said Lizette Contraras, director of community development of the Camarena Health Center.
More than 500 attended the event. Madera County Food Bank distributed 172 food boxes. Central California Blood Center collected 21 blood donations and 21 vendors were available for those attending.
