Through support offered by the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism (GO SERV), students of Sonoma County schools are studying the life and ideals of the late labor leader Cesar Chavez and his struggle to improve the life of his community.
Their results will be showcased at the second annual Cesar Chavez Health Fair (C'lebra'ion de Salud) to be held at the Roseland Elementary School grounds in Santa Rosa on April 6.
The event marks the second year of the new California state holiday, Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning. A broad community coalition is collaborating to produce the Cesar Chavez events locally.
The efforts of the Latino Service Providers, Roseland Children's Health Clinic, Sonoma County Museum, the Sonoma Regional Service Collaborative, the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, and the AmeriCorps and VISTA programs of Sonoma State University are combining to make a significant and memorable holiday.
Health Fair
The Second Annual Cesar Chavez Celebracion de Salud will focus on the health needs of children in the Latino Community, "The three most pressing needs of children in this area," said Elisabeth Chicoine, Director of the Roseland Children's Clinic," are iron-deficiency anemia, dental caries, and nutrition."
These needs will be addressed at the fair by health screenings, information booths, and sign-ups for low-cost dental clinics and affordable children's health insurance.
Last year's Health Fair attracted and served 500 children and families. Additionally, last year's events included a Youth Conference in Windsor organized by the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, which inspired over 80 Latino high school students from throughout the county.
This year the Health Fair and the Youth Conference have been combined at the April 6 Roseland event in Santa Rosa. Entertainment, low-fat food, a raffle, and music will be offered as the Health Fair participants stroll through displays of community information and health screening.
Hearing checks and screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure will be offered as well as information on immigration, nutrition, and availability of low-cost health insurance for families.
In addition to assisting the Latino Health Providers on the day of the Health Fair, Sonoma State University AmeriCorps members will be conducting a community service project at a nearby transitional housing facility.
Service Learning
A feature of the fair will be displays by the students of Sonoma State University's academic after school program, COOL SCHOOL, that reflect their study of community needs. In the weeks before the Fair the students will respond to these needs by carrying out service learning projects, such as refurbishing gardens, visiting shelters, packing food boxes at the food bank, and designing a conflict resolution program.
Each of the five COOL SCHOOL Programs will have a booth at the fair displaying what they have learned and addressing their views on health needs.
Youth Day Conference
High school and middle school students will be transported from Windsor, Cloverdale, Sonoma, Rohnert Park and Petaluma to a youth conference with speakers and workshops held at Roseland on the day of the Health Fair.
Conducted by the Youth Volunteer Corps of the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, the speakers, cultural workshops, and service projects bring together the young Latino leaders of the future.
NOTE: Opportunities for coverage include the fair itself, the preparation by the youth and children, and service projects conducted by the children and AmeriCorps members.
Please call Ruth Roberson at (707) 664-3315 for details.
