La Opinion published an article regarding SBSS’ Dinner and a Dose program.
Translated version below:
St. Barnabas Senior Services rewards volunteers who take seniors to receive the vaccine with a dinner.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan tells the story of a man who found a wounded traveler on his way and stopped to help him, bandaged his wounds and, mounting his horse, took him to an inn and cared for him.
During the covid-19 pandemic, millions of good Samaritans gave their time and effort to help others and are still doing so. Such is the case of Zoila Esperanza Carrillo, a 76-year-old immigrant from Guatemala, who wanted to make sure her friend Ana Arévalo received the vaccine and is protected against the pandemic.
Zoila and Ana met years ago when they both worked caring for people at home. Over the years, Ana lost her sight until she became blind.
“My friend Ana worked all her life like me, in Home Care. She had a work permit and now that she is blind, she doesn’t receive a cent from the government," shared Zoila, in an interview with this media outlet. "Before the pandemic I liked to pick her up, take her to afternoon Mass. Every time I had a little change, I liked to invite her to eat, or look for some little thing to give her," he added.
But everything changed with the pandemic and, momentarily, the friends stopped meeting and going out. But Zoila continued to watch over Ana, and when St. Barnabas Senior Services organized a vaccination clinic, she made sure to pick her up and take her to receive her immunization.
Zoila, who lost another good friend to covid-19 in February this year, also took another friend and her daughter to be vaccinated.
"I'm happy to help people. Thank God, I have someone to help me and so I can help my friends," she explained.
A dinner and a dose (Una cena y una dosis)
To reward Zoila and other good Samaritans who take their grandparents, family members and other loved ones to get vaccinated, St. Barnabas Senior Services (SBSS), in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), created the "A Dinner and a Dose" program, which hands a $25 DoorDash card to those who take others to get vaccinated.
On Wednesday of this week, during an emotional event, SBSS announced the new program by presenting the card to Zoila and other good Samaritans so they can share a dinner together, after getting vaccinated.
The initiative began on June 9 and will go on until the stock of gift cards is exhausted.
"Dinner and a Dose" is part of SBSS' efforts to increase vaccination in Los Angeles, especially among low-income elderly people with limited English language," explained Trisha Hanudel Lopez, SBSS Director of Development. The center, one of three from the nonprofit, is located near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, an area where 48.5% of the population is Latino, 11.6% Asian and where nearly 60% of its residents speak a language other than English at home.
"Through the campaign, we hope seniors can safely reconnect with their loved ones, starting with a meal we invite them to," added Hanudel Lopez.
"We serve older adults, a vulnerable population with many needs, from housing, to transportation, to health care. But seniors also have a great need to connect socially," explained Miguel Velasquez, Administrator of the SBSS center located near MacArthur Park. This new program allows third-party people to reconnect, after being vaccinated and share a dinner with a loved one.
Vaccination in the family
Los Angeles resident Maggie Escobar was another good Samaritan whose actions were rewarded by SBSS. With the arrival of the pandemic, Maggie and her family decided to quarantine together.
"My children moved into my house and there were nine of us in total. From my 82-year-old mother to the youngest, 7 months old, we decided to quarantine at my home," explained the Latina mother. Many of the Latino households in Los Angeles are multigenerational and include grandparents, babies, and uncles, and other relatives of different ages.
With the authorization of the vaccines, Maggie decided that they would vaccinate two at a time, so that there would always be someone who could take care of the rest.
"We were all a little scared, we didn't know what to expect, but one by one they got vaccinated," explained Maggie, who, like so many Latina mothers put her children and family first, and was the last to receive the immunization, to make sure everyone was okay.
During the launch of the program Dinner and a Dose, Maggie also received her DoorDash card that she will share with her loved ones.
Multi-ethnic population
The zip code in which the SBSS center is located is home to immigrant families, not only Hispanic, but also Asian, with a high rate of Korean immigrants.
During the launch of the new program, food cards were also handed out to Korean residents who took the time to take someone to get the vaccine and protect themselves against COVID-19.
The SBSS center, founded in 1908, serves people over the age of 70 on average, who generally live alone, with few family members and speak very little English. The 35% of those attending the center are Asian, 33% Latino, 25% white and 6% African American. Most of the seniors served by the organization rely on their Social Security of $800-$900 a month to cover all their expenses and depend on Medicare and Medicaid for their health care.
"God and my parents blessed me with a big heart," Zoila said upon receiving her gift card."I am always looking to do charity work. It gives me great joy to be able to help," she concluded.
In detail
A Dinner and a Dose: SBSS is offering a DoorDash card to those who take the time to take a family member, friend or community member to vaccinate.
For more information you can visit: www.sbssla.org/dinner-a-a-dose or call 213-435-3993.
To view the article in Spanish, please visit: https://laopinion.com/2021/06/10/tarjetas-de-regalo-a-quienes-ayudan-a-otros-a-protegerse-del-covid-19/