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HomeMy WebLinkAboutachch-ccab-summer-solstice-celebration-2023 2023 Alameda County Summer Solstice Celebration of the Strength and Resilience of People Experiencing Homelessness On Wednesday June 21st 2023, Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless proudly co-sponsored the 2023 Summer Solstice Celebration of the Strength and Resilience of People Experiencing Homelessness in Alameda County. This event took take place in person at the First Presbyterian Church of Hayward in Castro Valley. The event (video) honored and celebrated the strength and resilience of people experiencing homelessness, in alignment with homeless solstice celebrations nationwide. The event was co-sponsored by the ACHCH Consumer/Community Advisory Board, Alameda Health System Homeless Co-Applicant Board, Alameda Health System Foundation, the Alameda County Office of Homeless Care and Coordination, Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center and Lifelong Medical Care. Donations were graciously provided by Bay Area Community Services, Abode Housing, and Alameda County District Supervisors Nate Miley (D4) and Elisa Márquez (D2). Over 100 people, including people experiencing homelessness, homeless service providers, advocates and awardees attended, enjoying a beautiful day with lunch, music by the band AstraLogik, speeches, handouts, celebration, raffle. Most importantly, awards were presented to twelve Resilience and Determination Heroes persons formerly or currently homeless who were nominated by their peers and providers for the strength and example they have provided to others. Their speeches were truly a testament to the diversity, strength and resilience of people experiencing and formerly experiencing homelessness. The Summer Solstice, a day filled with light, is a fitting time to honor the accomplishments, resiliency and strength of people experiencing homelessness, and to draw inspiration from them as we continue in the struggle for justice. Resilience and Determination (RAD) Hero Awardees The ACHCH CCAB opened nominations to the community of housed persons and services providers to identify people who have demonstrated exceptional strength and resilience in their struggles to regain housing and support those around them by their model and by their example. Recipients of this year’s RAD Hero awards included: • Sabrina Abong (nominated by OHCC Youth Advisory Board) • Keith Arivnwine (nominated by St. Mary’s Senior Center) • Darlene Auau (nominated by Lifelong Medical Care Street Health) • Varon Brown (nominated by Lifelong/East Bay Community Project) • Donald “Donnie” Clark (nominated by Tiburcio Vasquez Street Health) • Greg Combs (nominated by First Presbyterian Church Hayward) • Anna “Kate” Leland (nominated by First Presbyterian Church Hayward) • Carol Mitchell (nominated by Bay Area Community Services) • Leah Moore (nominated by Rising Into Self Empowerment) • Raul Rivas (nominated by Bay Area Community Services) • Stephanie Semien (nominated by Love & Justice In the Streets) • David Smith (Nominated by Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency) Speakers at this event included: • Kawal Ulanday, MC HCSA Office of Homeless Care & Coordination • April Anthony Community/Consumer Advisory Board ACHCH • Tami Rossell Alameda Health System Co-Applicant Board • Sahra Nawabi/ Tammy Nguyen/ Hanna Moore OHCC Youth Advisory Board • Melissa Moore Rising into Self-Empowerment • Ashley Strasburg District 4 Representative for Supervisor Nate Miley ACHCH thanks the lovely group of sponsors of the event: • Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Consumer /Community Advisory Board • Alameda Health System Foundation • Alameda Health System Homeless Health Center Co-Applicant Board • Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center • Lifelong Medical Care • Alameda County Office of Homeless Care and Coordination Contributors: • First Presbyterian Church of Hayward in Castro Valley • Bay Area Community Services • Abode Housing, Inc. • Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley (District 4) • Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez (District 2) • Artist Leon Kennedy (https://americanart.si.edu/artist/leon-kennedy-7407) • AstraLogik (http://astralogik.com/) • Gerard Leynes Caterer An extra special thank you to Aaron Horner and Saundrea Mabrey and the staff of First Presbyterian Church of Hayward in Castro Valley who graciously hosted this years Solstice event.