From the Bakersfield Homeless Center

The homeless and poor often put their own or their children’s health care low on a priority list of more immediate survival concerns such as the daily struggle for food, clothing and shelter.

At Bakersfield Homeless Center, we know that poor health — which can keep adults from working productively and children from attending school or retaining the knowledge they learn — is simply another cog in the wheel of poverty.

That’s why we’re hosting our first ever health fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 28. Called “Healthcare at the Shelter and Beyond,” this free event will be held at the Bakersfield Homeless Center, 1600 E. Truxtun Ave., and be open to the entire community.

Attendees will be able to obtain health screenings, including blood pressure and blood glucose level checks, and receive health & wellness and community resource information — which is crucial for linking low-income families to affordable health care.

“If we learn how to connect to the various agencies within our community,” said BHC’s Medical/Dental Services Coordinator Brenda Nichols, “we can access their resources, follow through and become proactive in leading a healthier lifestyle.”

Some participating agencies that will feature booths and information on topics ranging from proper nutrition to family dynamics to earthquake preparedness include Kaiser Permanente, the Kern County Department of Public Health, the American Red Cross, First 5 Kern, Taft College’s Dental Hygiene Program, Clinica Sierra Vista, BHC’s sister agency, the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, American Heart Association, Hall Ambulance, and others.

BHC’s own Medical/Dental Program, the David L. Harmon Health Center, will honor its namesake during a special presentation at 10:30 a.m. Dr. David L. Harmon, a family practitioner with Kaiser Permanente, has been volunteering his medical services to the homeless since 1993. Also honored will be Arvin dentist Dr. Juan Alzate, who provides dental services, including full dentures, to BHC clients.

The public is welcome to come and benefit from the fair, pick up information, enter drawings for prizes, grab a snack or two, and simply enjoy some healthy fun. As the BHC parking lot will be used for the fair that day, the public is asked to park on the street, along East Truxtun Avenue, Williams Street or Brown Street. For folks coming on the GET bus, we are along Route No. 5, near the corner of East Truxtun and Williams.

For more information about the health fair, or to find out how to volunteer your services, call Brenda Nichols, Medical/Dental Service Coordinator, at 322-9294 ext. 120.