Hundreds of residents of the border region attended the annual South Bay Summer Festival at Montgomery-Waller Park in Otay Mesa West. The annual event brings health and wellness information and services to under-resourced communities.
Institute for Public Strategies South Bay supported Partnerships 4 Success and Youth in Action, who hosted the second annual event with help from sponsors including Assembly Member David Alvarez, Bayview Crisis Stabilization Unit, Molena Healthcare, Blue Shield of California, San Ysidro Health, and Acadia Healthcare. Several teen volunteers were recruited from local schools.
“One of our goals is to decrease the information gap that strains our South Bay and Border communities. And we do this by having a bilingual festival that promotes all the excellent programs and resources that aid healthy individuals, families, and communities, “said festival organizer and Program Director Breny Aceituno in a press release. “With this event, we also increased awareness and outreach to parents, caregivers, school personnel, and other organizations on applying healthy coping mechanisms to their behavioral health, thereby increasing the lifespan of our community members living south of downtown San Diego.”
With dozens of resource booths for attendees, Narcan and fentanyl test strips were part of the event’s resources. Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, is an opioid overdose reversal medication that can be administered through the nasal passage. Attendees were shown how to use it before taking it with them. The fentanyl test strips can be used to detect if fentanyl is present in drugs.
Chula Vista High School sophomore Denize Gomez volunteered for the festival as an opportunity to talk to community members because she wants to become a firefighter.
“It will help me get out of my comfort zone and get used to talking to people I don’t know,” she said. “So far, I feel really accomplished. We’re spreading kindness and giving back to the community.”
Gomez and others helped the attendees navigate services available for those suffering from substance use disorder and further challenges like food insecurity, suicide prevention assistance and public health hardships.
Resources and services are available to assist with screening, treatment, and recovery for individuals with a substance use disorder on the It’s Up to Us website. The Access & Crisis line is available year-round, 24/7, at (888) 724-7240. South Region residents can contact IPS South Bay through its website for details on how to get involved in their communities.
