Communities leaders and  nonprofits have  provided advocacy, support  and services to our most vulnerable communities before and during the pandemic.

We have been proud to share the stories of these individuals, many who experienced poverty and discrimination at a young age and were determined to change the world around them by creating organizations to provide services to thousands of families around the country.

Health Care is a broad field and encompasses the needs of individuals beyond a clinic or hospital; it includes ensuring healthy diets, affordable housing, good paying jobs, clean air and water, and sustainable environments. 

The Latino/Latinx communities have been significantly impacted by Covid-19 and community organizations and leaders have worked tremendously hard to save lives and to protect and promote health to hundreds of thousands around the country.

We honor our workers, our organizations, and our community leaders in their dedicated efforts to keep our communities thriving. Gracias to all who have contributed this last year to HealthCare UnTold! 

Sandy Ouye Mori has served the people of San Francisco for over five decades and her contributions have had impact both locally and nationally. Her work includes being a founding member of the National Pacific Asian Resource Center on Aging based in Seattle.

Sandy has served on various commissions,  and was the first Asian American Woman to chair a City Commission--the Commission on the  Status of Women. 

Sandy has shown a lifelong commitment to promoting racial  and social justice, women's rights, and  food security. She has mentored hundreds of young people from all backgrounds to teach them about civic engagement and social change.  We are honored to share her story and insights on effective activism on this episode of HealthCare Untold. 

#HealthCare UnTold

# San Francisco Japantown

#San Jose Japantown

#Seattle Japantown

Latino Connection was created by George Fernandez to provide strategic communications  to help serve the  Spanish-speaking public in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. His goals were to connect clients and Latino stakeholders to deliver high quality translation  and interpretation services. 

Latino Connection has helped hundreds of organizations to maximize their outreach  to their Latino customers and clients. When the Covid-19 Pandemic hit Latino communities, it was clear to George that  he could help the State and Local Health Departments to reach out to Latino  and  rural communities  that were not being served.

Latino Connection,  in collaboration with  the Health Department, began providing testing and then  sponsoring  vaccines for thousands of individuals throughout Harrisburg and rural Pennsylvania. George's  vision of ensuring access  and providing education became invaluable to Pennsylvania  communities.  HealthCare UnTold salutes and honors George Fernandez and Latino Connection for their commitment to and bravery in response to  the Covid 19 Pandemic.

Seniors have been greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and organizations like Senior Pharm Assist have expanded their services to continue to reach out to their participants to ensure that they had a life line during the shutdowns. 

Access to food, promoting self care, and digital services were some of the expanded services provided. Loneliness is a health risk for many seniors and Senior PharmAssist continued their reassurance calls to help their clients during this challenging time. 

As an advocacy organization, Senior PharmAssist joined community coalitions to support and advocate for vulnerable communities in the Durham North Carolina community. Senior PharmAssist was particularly concerned with the Digital Divide impacting vaccination access since so many seniors cannot afford or have no internet access. Director Upchurch shares informaion about a new federal program funded by the FCC--the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program--which will provide discounts for internet and devices. 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-372389A1.pdf

Covid-19 can kill and Vaccines can protect you.

Protect our children by getting Vaccinated; more young people are getting infected and becoming seriously ill. 

Communities can begin to open up businesses and  services as we get vaccinated.

Stop this Virus by getting Vaccinated.

Be part of the solution: get Vaccinated!

Let's not infect others; get Vaccinated. 

Arturo came out  of the closet as a student at UCLA, and  quickly became a Gay leader working for the largest Gay/Lesbian Organization in Los Angeles. His activism within the Gay/Lesbian movement included persuading white activists  to recognize people of color. This was a great challenge and he was not easily accepted by the  primarily white leadership. Then came the AIDS Epidemic which changed his life.  His partner was diagnosed early in the epidemic and he had no other choice but to join the many  who fought and organized for men of color to be cared for and accepted by both the Gay/Lesbian and Latino communities. 

Arturo represents a generation of activists in our community who committed their lives to saving the lives of others. We  at HealthCare UnTold recognize him as one of our many heroes as we honor his story of leadership, advocacy, and courage.

As the Executive Director of the Collectivo Rescate Cultural, Juan Pablo has organized and presented  the Dia de Los Muertos Procession in the Mission District of San Francisco for 39 years. 

November 2, 2021  will mark the 40th Anniversary of the  Dia De Los Muertos Procession. Due to the protections necessary because of Covid-19, this year he has curated a drive by procession at San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall  where very large lithographs representing the Aztec stages of death will be exhibited for the public to enjoy.

Juan Pablo discusses the importance of protecting  our culture,  language, and  rituals as a way of maintaining our communal spiritual health.   Since the Procession's inception, he has not sought or accepted corporate sponsorships because of his firm conviction to refrain from  "selling our dead." 

Drive or walk by Davies Symphony Hall  on November 2, 2021 to honor our ancestors, enjoy stunning lithographs, and support the 40th Anniversary of the Dia De Los Muertos Procession.

Trauma Informed Care

Impact of Race on Health Outcomes

Mental Health Services

Institutional Racism

Dr. Sandra Hernandez shares about the effectiveness of the vaccines and the importance of getting vaccinated.

*Getting vaccinated means that you cannot transmit the virus to your loved ones.

*Vaccinated individuals can visit with other vaccinated  family members and friends.

*Hospitalizations, sickness and deaths from Covid 19 can be prevented if we are vaccinated. 

Do your part to SMASH Covid-19: GET VACCINATED!