March 2023

Meet Our BCHD Public Health AmeriCorps Members! 

As a national service program, AmeriCorps offers individuals an opportunity to volunteer a year of service directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges. AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention joined forces to launch Public Health AmeriCorps and support the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.

 

In partnership with L.A. Works, BCHD will be hosting 3 full-time members and 6 part-time AmeriCorps members beginning the week of January 23, 2023 for their year of service. They will assist us with our programs and services offered across the lifespan (i.e., allcove Beach Cities, Community Services, Well-Being Services, Youth Services) and Volunteer Services departments. Members will provide a total of more than 9,000 hours throughout their year of services with BCHD! Four positions have been filled by the following members: 

Lory Aguinaldo: Lory joins us from California State University, Dominguez Hills where she is earning her Masters degree in Negotiations, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding. Some of her professional experience includes working in banking and financial services and various roles in restaurants such as Eddie V’s and Chin Chin. At BCHD, Lory will be supporting allcove Beach Cities.

Melody Escamilla-Sanchez: Melody joins us from California State University, Los Angeles where she is earning her Bachelors degree in Public Health. Some of her professional experience includes interning in Government and Community Relations at UCLA, Inner-City Arts, and All Peoples Community Center. At BCHD, Melody will be supporting Community Services and Volunteer Services.

Jimena Salazar: Jimena joins us from Lax Automotive as an Accounts Payable and Receivable Clerk and is a recent graduate from the University of San Diego with a degree in Public Health – Epidemiology. Her professional experience includes being a Life Course Scholar with Urban Studies and Planning, at UCSD and a Translator with the Refugee Health Alliance. At BCHD, Jimena will be supporting allcove Beach Cities. 

Jamie Vu: Jamie joins us from Cedars Sinai and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychobiology at UCLA. Her professional experience includes being a medical scribe and respite caregiver as well as volunteering at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Kaiser Permanente Hospice. At BCHD, Jamie will be supporting Well-Being Services and Youth Services.

The remaining five spots will hopefully be filled by May. Learn more about this program at www.laworks.com/phac.

What’s Happening This Month:  

Community Services  

Department Highlight: Community Services  

This month, BCHD will be highlighting all the great work and programming taking place from this department. Learn more about this department by watching Emily Brosius, Community Services Manager, present at the February Board of Directors meeting, or view the view the presentation slides. 

Participate or Share Information About Community Services Programs & Upcoming Events:  

BCHD Care Management Program  

BCHD’s Care Management program provides confidential in-home visits with recommended care plans to support independent living at home while staying connected to the community from a professional Care Manager. Care Management is available for older adults (ages 60+) and adults with disabilities (ages 18-59) living in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. Call (310) 374-3426, press option 1 or go to www.bchd.org.   

BCHD Assistance, Information & Referral  

Need help? Are you or a loved one looking for support from your community or struggling to find the right health resources? Call Beach Cities Health District’s Assistance Information & Referral Line: (310) 374-3426, press option 1, or go to www.bchd.org/resources.   

Recruiting for Older Adult Program Volunteers  

BCHD is currently recruiting for Errand Volunteers (running errands for or with clients) and Conversation Companions (friendly socialization visits or calls) to support our care management clients. BCHD will soon be relaunching recruitment for Brain Buddies (working with clients with cognitive impairment and/or dementia). Learn more at www.bchd.org/volunteer.    

Social Hour with Care Manager Charlotte Barnett  

1st and 3rd Tuesdays (Virtual) 

10 – 11 a.m. 

Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014     

2nd Mondays (In person) 

2 – 3 p.m. 

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room 

1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266  

If you have a question regarding community resources, want to learn more about Beach Cities Health District or share and learn ways to keep busy, please join us! These meetings are for all, a place to connect and feel heard.  

Join us at the next BCHD Board Meeting 

All volunteers are welcome to attend Board meetings held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. 

This month’s Board Meeting will feature Volunteer Services and will be on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. 

Get information on upcoming meetings and leave public comments on agendas here: https://www.bchd.org/public-meetings. 

 We Want to Hear About Your Volunteer Experience… 

BCHD will feature all the outstanding accomplishments of our volunteers throughout the month of April! We are gathering testimonials so you can express the impact volunteering has made in the community. Our goal is to highlight the benefits of volunteering and encourage more people to volunteer. Please complete the survey below so we can capture your experience at BCHD. You will see your testimonials throughout our various communication channels through the month of April! Thank you in advance for your participation. 

Save the Date for the Volunteer Recognition Brunch!



The Volunteer Recognition Brunch is a GO! Please save the date for Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Come help BCHD celebrate all your wonderful contributions to the Beach Cities community! We’d love to see you there.

Interested in volunteering (getting back to it or taking the next step to volunteer) with BCHD?  

See below for what’s currently available and please stay tuned to our newsletters and website as new opportunities arise! Anyone interested is welcome to fill out our Volunteer Application at www.bchd.org/volunteer. If you are or have been a BCHD volunteer or if you have questions, you’re invited to email us at Volunteers@bchd.org. 

Campus Greeter – High Need for Morning and Early Afternoon Shifts

Volunteers (14+) meet all guests who enter the 514 building while also providing general support and customer service duties for the full BCHD campus. Duties include greeting guests and tenants, providing information and referral to public, walking visitors to/from medical appointments or allcove Beach Cities upon request, maintaining a clean and orderly area and tracking volunteer hours worked. Must be friendly, helpful and able to push wheelchairs and walk around the campus. Weekly 2 or 3 hour shift required for one year; scheduling available Monday – Saturday. *Expected commitment for High School students is a semester or over the summer. 

Administrative Office Front Desk Volunteer – High Need

Our Admin and Community Services departments are looking for volunteers (18+) to help with telephone coverage; front desk screening of staff and visitors; periodic disinfection of shared spaces; mail and package distribution; badge making; supplies inventory; assembling marketing packets; assisting with Help Desk Ticket tasks and projects. Weekly 4-hour shift commitment on a regular basis is required.  

AdventurePlex Camp Volunteer

AdventurePlex is looking for volunteers (14+) to help kids play their way to good health at our AdventureCamp! Duties include monitoring adventure room, keeping facility area clean and safe, assisting with activities (arts and crafts, classes and rock climbing) and checking in/out guests at front desk. One shift a week required, Monday-Friday, either 9 a.m. – noon or 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. Available dates are as follows: 

• April 3 – 7 
• April 10 - 14 
• May 29 
• June 19 – August 25 

allcove Beach Cities is now taking applications for the Youth Advisory Group  



We are looking to select a group of young leaders who represent the diversity of the Beach Cities and surrounding communities across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, lived experience, ability, and socio-economic status. The Youth Advisory Group ensures that youth voices are at the forefront of the allcove Beach Cities experience. As part of the Youth Advisory Group, you will help allcove Beach Cities gain a better understanding of young people’s needs and opinions to provide them with relevant and effective services. The Youth Advisory Group is comprised of up to 15 young people ages 14-25 from the local community of the Beach Cities and throughout Service Planning Area (SPA) 8. 

For more information and to apply click here. 

Applications are due Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 5 p.m. 

Event Volunteer Opportunities

It is important for Beach Cities Health District to be out in the community sharing our programs and resources with our residents.Take a look at the opportunity below. Follow this link to our sign-up page to be included in emails about upcoming events. 

South Bay Parkland Conservancy - Earth Day Celebration

South Bay Parkland Conservancy will host a garden restoration, nature walks and workshops along with vendors and free community activities in honor of Earth Day on April 22 & 23. Volunteer opportunities are forthcoming. Stay tuned for details!

THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS! 

Individuals (15+) interested in volunteering with the City of Hermosa Beach for their local events may send their contact information to info@hbchamber.net to get on their distribution list. Please be advised that these events are not managed or operated by BCHD and any questions or issues should be communicated directly to the city. 

Get information on upcoming meetings and leave public comment on agendas here: https://www.bchd.org/public-meetings. 

Volunteer Hours

We are grateful for the 18,239 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2022. This number includes calls made, visits to older adult clients, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check-ins, committee meetings, administrative support, grocery deliveries, prescription pick-ups,  intern projects, garden maintenance, and more. Thank you for your commitment to help the community! We know BCHD volunteers will continue doing remarkable things in 2023.  

Volunteer Hours to date are:

January: 2,256.42 

February: 1,259.50 

BCHD volunteers contributed 3,515.92 hours to our essential services for the community. Thank you!!

Volunteer Anniversaries

Although many of you still are not back to actively volunteering in your usual roles, we are grateful for your commitment. The many collective years of efforts toward a healthy beach community from our volunteer corps is truly incredible.

March Anniversaries

*Official years of service in BCHD system.

First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual

(April 4 and 18)

10 – 11 a.m.

Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014 

2nd Mondays, In person 

(April 10)

2 – 3 p.m. 

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room 

1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

Power of Purpose Workshop & Volunteer Fair 

Join us for our Blue Zones Project Power of Purpose Workshop & Volunteer Fair. #Purpose is your reason for getting up each morning. Discover how to align your gifts, talents and interests to create purpose in daily life in our workshop facilitated by Kathleen Terry.  

Saturday, April 15 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Manhattan Beach Community Church 

303 S. Peck Ave, Manhattan Beach 90266