|
We began a documentary in which we interviewed and photographed Lindsay
residents. We asked them what they really knew about the water used for
domestic purposes. This work was entitled “WATER AND THE RIGHT TO
KNOW”. It made us understand that people knew very little or nothing;
knowledge was limited to hearing that the water was not good to drink.
So they would go to the store or water machines to buy purified water,
without anyone really saying whether that water was good for their health
or not. Another alarming fact was that many did not have sufficient income
for medical appointments and they lacked information about where to seek
affordable health services. Lindsay is a predominantly Hispanic town,
and a great many residents are agricultural workers and are exposed to
chemicals and pesticides in the orchards and dairies. They have not been
given enough information to prevent illnesses caused by excessive contamination.
These are some of the reasons that prompted the Migrant Photography Project
(MPP) to organize the health fair. Working together with other agencies,
this marvelous event was made possible, providing free health services
and information to the community of Lindsay. And, of course, there was
fun for the entire family with clowns, face painting, bounce houses, popcorn,
water, fruit, Mexican folk dancing and DJ music.
PLANNING
I. July 16, 2002 Our first meeting.
The organizations that were present at our first planning meeting were
Family Health Care Network (FHCN), Proyecto Campesino (Farmworkers Project),
Catholic Charities and Good News Center. We agreed to have the health
fair in the Lindsay Park on October 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The
following are the first steps that would be taken:
a) Obtain permission from the city to hold this event. The letter to
request permission should contain specific details: approximately how
many people would attend, the time, where and when, who is organizing
and which other organizations would be participating.
b) Begin to send letters of invitation and registration to health-oriented
organizations/agencies that may wish to participate. Graciela Martinez
from Proyecto Campesino and Sandra Solis from FHCN provided us with
lists of health agencies and we sent them registration forms for the
health fair.
c) At the same time, Sandra Solis suggested that we make a request
in writing to the director of FHCN, Mr. Ruben Chavez, in order to bring
screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia and others. The
letter was written right away and sent in order to know in plenty of
time if these services would be available the day of the health fair.
d) Also, a letter was written to ask local businesses and organizations
for donations and invite them to participate in the health fair.
e) Financial aid was requested from the California Endowment to provide
funds for this event. The organization asked for detailed information
about all the participating organizations and exactly what services
each would offer.
II. August 20, 2002 Our second meeting.
We held this meeting at the Lindsay Park so that the organizations
could familiarize themselves with the place that the health fair would
take place.
a) Graciela Martinez of Proyecto Campesino called each organization
to invite them to this meeting. Thirteen representatives from different
organizations attended. Each organization was assigned a task.
b) In the following weeks, MPP would be in charge of sending out invitations
and confirming the participation of each organization.
c) Lupe Arellano of Tulare County Family Services took on the task
of calling Culligan Water to ask for a donation of water.
d) Health Net was assigned to get information about asthma and lead
poisoning, hire a face-painting clown and copying of the flyers.
e) Blue Cross would pay for the bounce houses.
f) California Charter Academy paid for the rental of the popcorn machine.
g) All other expenses were covered by MPP.
As the days passed, MPP received confirmation of attendance from the
invited organizations and received calls from other organizations that
wished to participate. MPP was very happy to receive so much support.
We were able to bring a total of 33 organizations to the health fair
and all services were completely free.
Once we had everyone’s confirmation and arranged for the DJ, the
Mexican folk dancers, the bounce houses, etc. as well as MPP securing
advertising on Radio Campesina, Radio Bilingüe and Radio Grito
radio stations, Porterville Recorder, Fresno Bee, and Noticiero Semanal
newspapers, and Channel 21 Television, we decided to have one last meeting
to finalize any details.
III. September 29, 2002 Last organizational meeting.
At this last meeting, an agenda of issues for discussion was handed
out. Everything was set for the health fair, but the day of the meeting,
some new issues were discussed:
a) We originally planned to invite non-profit organizations, especially
the local churches, that would sell food, but due to the strict city
regulations for obtaining a food vender’s permit, this was not
possible. Finally, it was decided to invite some businesses who already
had permits: China’s Alley Restaurant, Virginia’s, and the
Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
b) Health Net gave out the copies of the flyers.
c) It was communicated that the radio and newspaper announcements would
begin one week before the health fair.
d) Once we reviewed all aspects of the health fair to check that everything
was ready, MPP thanked everyone for their valuable collaboration and,
as any gracious host would do, told them that if they had any questions
to let us know and that any new suggestions were welcome. Now we only
had to wait for the big day.
e) After the meeting, that same day, MPP put up posters and passed
out flyers. Flyers were personally given out to many Lindsay and Tonyville
residents. Also, the health fair was announced at the local Chile Cook-off.
f) MPP gave out orange tee shirts to the young women volunteers from
Lindsay High School (LHS) who were going to help. In this way, we would
be identified as the organizers of the event and be able to offer better
service.
g) Ten days before October 13, we sent out a letter to all agencies
to remind them of the upcoming fair.
IV. October 13, 2002 The day of the health fair
MPP was at the park at 8:00 a.m., moving chairs and tables and waiting
for the participating agencies to arrive.
a) The day’s agenda and a list of participants were made to keep
a record of attendance and at the same time assign a space for each
organization, provide them with chairs and tables as needed, as well
as help them to set up. Isabel Arrollo, one of the young Lindsay volunteers
(who has been attending the University of the Pacific in Stockton) was
in charge of assigning spaces.
b) A table was set up and two young volunteers helped those attending
to register. Those attending the event were given a form to go from
table to table and have the form signed at each point. Once they had
received services and information from each station, they should deposit
the form at the prize table to have the opportunity to win one of the
donated prizes.
c) MPP also had their own information table and photo exhibition that
described our work, especially our great concern for the lack of knowledge
about whether the water is good for domestic consumption or not. This
table was overseen by Saundra Sturdevant and Irma Arrollo, co-directors
of MPP, and Brenda Cervantes, coordinator of Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz.
d) A table was set with fruit (apples and oranges).
e) Popcorn was made, thanks to the help of Odilia, one of the young
LHS volunteers.
f) Two of the young volunteers took charge of the bounce houses and
watched the children who played in them.
g) Two other young volunteers watched over the prize table.
h) Maria Poling, MPP assistant, was in charge of taking photos and
conducting interviews.
i) With the help of the MPP volunteers, a changing room was set up
for the folk dancers.
j) Pablo Espinoza and Graciela Martinez from Proyecto Campesino were
the masters of ceremony and began the program precisely at 1:00 p.m.
k) Balloons were aired up to give out to the children, thanks to Doug
De Leo Welding for the helium and Proyecto Campesino for the balloons
and ribbon. Two of the young LHS volunteers were in charge of giving
out the balloons to the children.
In all, we were able to give service to about 500 people. We finished
at about
5:00 p.m. MPP and the young LHS volunteers began the chore of cleaning
the park. We ended by getting together at a local pizza parlor to share
our thoughts of the day and thank each other once again for the dedication
and effort put into this important community event: the Lindsay Health
and Safety Fair.
During the following weeks, MPP made out certificates and wrote letters
of appreciation to all the agencies that participated in the Lindsay
Health and Safely Fair.
Enclosed at the end of this guide we have included letters and information
that were put together during the planning of the health fair, so that
others who wish to organize a similar event could have a point of departure
from which to work.
LIST OF ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS
1. Letter addressed to Mr. Bill Drennen, Lindsay city manager, to request
permission from the city.
2. Invitation letter to health agencies
3. Registration requirements form
4. Registration form
5. Letter to Mr. Ruben Chavez at FHCN to request health screenings
for fair
6. Letter to local businesses asking for donations and extending invitation
7. Letter to Mrs. Carole Chamberlain of California Endowment requesting
funds to cover health fair expenses. The letter includes a detailed
explanation of the participating agencies and the services they will
offer.
8. List of agencies that were called to attend a meeting on August
20, 2002
9. Letter to Mr. Damian Maldonado, Blue Cross of California, asking
for a donation to cover the inflatable bounce houses.
10. A copy of the press release for the newspaper.
11. Given out at the last meeting was a list confirming that everything
was ready for the health fair. At the same time, the different representatives
could give their opinion about anything that may still be needed.
12. List of agencies that attended the last meeting on September 19,
2002
13. Samples of poster and flyers that were distributed in the schools,
churches, Tonyville and throughout the community.
14. Reminder letter
15. Map and directions
16. Receipt for services form
17. Health Net proposal form and memorandum of understanding
18. Registration form given to the attending persons to take to each
station for services and then take to the (raffle) drawing table
19. Day’s agenda
20. List of agencies: to check attendance and assign booth location
on fair day
21. Thank you letters and certificates of appreciation that were sent
to all participating agencies and businesses.
|