avalonla.org

🌟 Brightspot Moment 🌟

This week, we’re giving a shout-out to Floyd, an amazing temporary resident at Hopics. Life hasn’t been easy for him and his mom—they’ve faced job losses, homelessness, and moved from shelter to shelter. But Floyd’s never given up.

At 29, Floyd is learning the art of cutting hair and aims to get his barbershop certification soon. He’s already super talented! Even though he and his mom are in different shelters now, Floyd is determined to turn things around—and we’ve noticed!

Thanks to a referral from Avalon LA, Floyd’s up for the ACT (Advancing Communities Together) program in Palmdale. This could offer him benefits and classes in carpentry and construction, as well as a chance to earn his high school diploma, paving the way for a brighter future. Floyd is up for both. Though he still has to go through the interview process, we’re rooting for him.

Meanwhile, our awesome Executive Director, Cheryl, has gifted Floyd a professional clipper kit so he can start showing off his skills by transforming the hair of friends and neighbors. Avalon LA is also helping Floyd with marketing tools like flyers and business cards.

Floyd’s journey is all about resilience, hope, and the power of community support. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him! 🌟✨









📸: [Image of Floyd with his clipper kit and smiling]

💜 Building Stronger Collaborations at Avalon LA and Nobility Health Headquarters💙

We were delighted to welcome representatives from the Southern California Health & Rehabilitation Program (SCHARP) and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to Avalon LA and Nobility Health Headquarters for an insightful meeting filled with shared visions and prospective collaborations.

The Southern California Health & Rehabilitation Program (SCHARP) has been a cornerstone in providing community-based mental health services, focusing on rehabilitation and supportive housing for those in need. Their commitment to enhancing the lives of Southern Californians is truly inspiring.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) is the largest public mental health department in the country, offering a variety of services, including mental health treatment, outreach, and education, aimed at ensuring the well-being of LA County residents.

Our discussion centered on creating new pathways for getting clients enrolled in Medi-Cal and ensuring they have access to essential health services, including primary care, vision, and dental care. This collaboration aims to bridge gaps in healthcare provision and improve access to comprehensive health services for all.

A warm thank you to SCHARP and DMH for visiting us today. We look forward to fostering this partnership and making a significant impact together.











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Ready to learn more about our partners?
- Visit SCHARP at [scharpca.org](https://www.scharpca.org)
- Explore DMH at [dmh.lacounty.gov](https://dmh.lacounty.gov)

“Important Update: August Food Distribution has been Canceled. Please stay tuned for updates on next month’s schedule.

For more information, call 888.601.4344.”

Aviso importante: Distribución de alimentos de agosto cancelada. Estén atentos para actualizaciones sobre el horario y fecha del próximo mes. Gracias y buen día #🙏

Para más información, llamen al 888.601.4344.

Part 2.

More photos from our Back to School Giveaway Day.

Special Thanks to Dr. Tricia Tahara-Stoller / COSMED and your team for providing vaccines 💉

Thank you to 🎒
Thank you to Pastor Crosby

📣 **Thank You for Joining Our Back to School Giveaway Event!** 🎒✏️📚

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended our Back to School Giveaway event at Avalon LA on August 9! Your participation and support made the event an incredible success.

We are thrilled to announce that we distributed a total of 148 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students in need, ensuring they are well-prepared for the new school year. Additionally, we provided dry/canned goods and other necessary items to over 75 households, helping to support our community.

The event was alive with joy, thanks to the many activities, sweets, refreshments, testing & vaccines, and raffle giveaways that took place. Your presence truly made a difference and brought smiles to many faces.

Thank you once again for coming out and making our community stronger. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our students and families.

A special thank you to Pastor Crosby from Sermon on the Mountain MBC and for donating Junior. High & High School Backpacks and supplies.

Let’s continue to support and uplift each other!

With gratitude,
The Avalon LA Team

🔊𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓! 📣

Get ready for the school year with our Back to School Giveaway! 🎒📚

Join us on Friday, August 9th from 10AM - 4PM at
Avalon LA
6622 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, 90043

for free backpacks, school supplies, popsicles, refreshments, snacks and more. While supplies last / Children must be present for backpacks. 🎒

Plus, we’re offering Full Upper Respiratory testing services like COVID, FLU, RSV, TB Testing, and Vaccines. Don’t miss out on a day of freebies and essential services! *While supplies last. 📆✨

¡Prepárate para el año escolar con nuestro Sorteo de Regreso a Clases! 🎒📚

Únete a nosotros el viernes 9 de agosto de 10AM a 4PM en
Avalon LA
6622 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Ángeles, 90043

para recibir mochilas gratuitas, útiles escolares, refrescos y más. *Hasta agotar existencias. Los niños deben estar presentes para recibir las mochilas. 🎒

Además, ofrecemos servicios de pruebas respiratorias superiores completas como pruebas de COVID, FLU, RSV, TB y vacunas. ¡No te pierdas un día de regalos y servicios esenciales! *Hasta agotar existencias. 📆✨

📚✨ This past Tuesday, 8.6.24, North Valley Caring Services hosted an unforgettable back-to-school event for the community’s children and families! We were beyond thrilled to donate backpacks for the children of North Hills, ensuring they start the school year prepared and confident. 🎒💖

NVCS pulled out all the stops with fun giveaways, a refreshing popsicles cart, nutritious fruit bags, a delicious smoothie station, snack bag distributions, and so much more. The atmosphere was electric with great music, dedicated community members volunteering, and everyone sharing their inspiring experiences. 🎶🍧🍎🥤

Thank you, , for inviting us to be a part of this heartwarming event. We are so proud to contribute and support such a fantastic cause. Here’s to a successful and bright school year for all! 🌟📅

___

Get ready for the school year with our Back to School Giveaway! 🎒📚

Join us on Friday, August 9th from 10AM - 6PM at
Avalon LA
6622 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, 90043

for free backpacks, school supplies, refreshments, and more.

Plus, we’re offering Full Upper Respiratory testing services like COVID, FLU, RSV, TB Testing, and Vaccines. Don’t miss out on a day of freebies and essential services! *While supplies last. 📆✨

¡Prepárate para el año escolar con nuestro Sorteo de Regreso a Clases! 🎒📚

Únete a nosotros el viernes 9 de agosto de 10AM a 6PM en
Avalon LA
6622 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Ángeles, 90043

para recibir mochilas gratuitas, útiles escolares, refrescos y más.

Además, ofrecemos servicios de pruebas respiratorias superiores completas como pruebas de COVID, FLU, RSV, TB y vacunas. ¡No te pierdas un día de regalos y servicios esenciales! *Hasta agotar existencias. 📆✨

📸✨ Throwback to July’s incredible Food Distribution event at Hyde Park! 🌳🍽️ Our amazing President, Celine, captured some truly heartwarming moments that remind us why we do what we do. 😍 Check out these highlights and see the joy on everyone’s faces as we helped a total of 125 people!

Let’s make the next one even bigger and better! 🎉 Get ready because next month’s Food Distribution is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for updates on all our platforms! 📲➡️

👏 A huge thank you to our amazing partners, contributors, and volunteers: North Valley Caring Services, IKEA USA, Nobility Health, Centro Medico, and all the incredible volunteers who made this possible! Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to spread kindness wherever we go. 💪❤️

📅 Save the Date for our next event and get ready to share more smiles.

🌟✨ What an incredible day at Avalon LA’s monthly food distribution! 🌟✨

We are thrilled to share that we served over 150 unhoused and low-income families this month. But let’s not stop there - this event was so much more than just distributing food.

🌈 We had the privilege of meeting and chatting with some wonderful people in our community, forging connections that will last a lifetime. And, thanks to everyone who showed interest, dozens of individuals signed up for healthcare attention or Medi-Cal insurance 💉❤️

The atmosphere was electric with lively music 🎶 and tons of freebies handed out. Our fantastic volunteers made sure everything ran smoothly and kept the spirit high! 🙌💃

A massive THANK YOU to the amazing community, our dedicated staff, the spirited volunteers, and our partners at NVCS. Your generosity and efforts in sharing and delivering all the food goods made this day a tremendous success!

We’re already excited for next month’s event - mark your calendars for the last Saturday of the month! 🗓️ Let’s continue to make a positive impact together! 💪❤️

✨✨ , ✨✨

🌟 IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN! 🌟

📣 Hyde Park, Leimert Park, West Adam’s, Park Mesa Heights, Manchester Square — listen up!

In collaboration with , we’re thrilled to invite the community to our upcoming food distribution event! 🥳

📅 Saturday, July 27
🕙 10 AM to 12 PM
📍 6622 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043

🚶 Walk-Up Only, No Drive-Thru Distribution🚶

✨ Be one of the first to claim your goodies—first-come, first-served! 🍎🥦🥖

Please share this event with anyone who may benefit. Don’t miss out — food distribution starts at 10 AM sharp. See you there! 😊✨

🌟 Last Friday on 7.19.24, North Valley Caring Services was buzzing with activity! 🌟

Every Friday, NVCS opens its Food Pantry doors, distributing fresh and dry goods to the community. They also provide shower facilities for those in need of a refreshing start to their day.

Last Friday, Executive Director Manny Flores graciously invited us to experience their incredible event firsthand. We packed our van, and Nobility Health joined to offer health testing to anyone interested. 🩺✨

We brought our usual testing services, plus a fun Gift Card giveaway, which helped spread some smiles throughout the day. 😊 Beyond that, we provided resources linkage and conducted intake forms for medical services that will be available through our wonderful collaborator, Centro Médico.

A huge thank you to NVCS for welcoming us with open arms. We’re excited to partner with you in future events and continue making a positive impact together! 💖



Photographed( left to right)Avalon LA Executive Director - Cherly Clark, Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church, NVCS Executive Director - Manny Flores, Avalon LA Founder - Silva Moradi, President of Avalon LA - Celine Moradi.

🎉 Congratulations to on the grand opening of your Lancaster Campus! We are truly honored to have been invited to be a part of this significant day. 💙 It’s inspiring to see the incredible work you’re doing for the youth in our community. Together, we can make a difference! 🌟

A big shoutout to Avalon LA for representing with pride, and to Centro Medico for standing with us.

🌟 Join us at our next Health Aid Pop Events & Food Drive🌟

We are excited to announce that we have teamed up with Nobility Health to bring essential testing services to our community! From Upper Respiratory, COVID, Flu, and RSV tests to COVID Antibody, TB, and STI testing (including HIV, Syphilis, and Hep C), we’ve got you covered. 🩺🧬

We’re also committed to harm reduction education and will be distributing Narcan and Fentanyl on-hand for free to anyone who needs it. Additionally, Avalon LA will be available to take names for referrals to our many linkage services. 🤝

We’re also hosting our monthly food drive on the 27th of July. Come by to receive food and support if you’re in need. 🥫❤️📅 Mark your calendars for our next open-to-the-public events!

Let’s come together and ensure a healthier, safer community for all! 💪🌈









📍 See you there!

“Join us tomorrow for a Free Dry Goods Distribution event! Walk-up pick-up only, first come, first serve. Thursday, July 11th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM at 6622 Crenshaw Blvd. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to receive essential food supplies!”
—————
“¡Únete a nosotros mañana para un evento de Distribución Gratuita de Productos Secos! Solo recogida a pie, por orden de llegada. Jueves, 11 de julio, de 9:30 AM a 2:30 PM en 6622 Crenshaw Blvd. ¡No pierdas la oportunidad de recibir suministros alimenticios esenciales!”

Join us for Medical Clinic Sign-Up Day TOMORROW Thursday, July 11, from 9 AM to 2:30 PM at Avalon LA Resource Center! Enjoy our community outreach program with free testing for COVID, RSV, and more, plus receive a $10 gift card and snacks. Don’t forget your ID and health insurance!

Testimonial:

My name is Carlos Amaral, I’m 33 years of age and I was born& raised in watts CA. Growing up as a child 1 was always skinny and never thought, when I got older, I would weigh 210 pounds and have a big belly. As I got older, I lost interest in a lot of things one being active in sports. I’ve been through a lot as I grew older, I lost my brother at age 28 years old and that was a major turning point in my life. I also fathered four kids in that time frame, so I started getting what they call a dad’s bod. I also started drinking alcohol heavily to numb my pain and eating uncontrollable. Having a car did not help my situation, because I didn’t walk to point A and B, I drove everywhere even if it was to the corner store. Fast forward to coming back to rehab for my second time it was time to change my image, so I meet Will my trainer. Will motivated me to want to work out and get back in shape. He pushes you to complete every session in a nice way, he understands us. The techniques he uses helped me lose 35 pounds in 3 1/2 months. He taught me now to diet and staying in shape, and today I feel great. I just want to thank him for helping me stay in shape Thanks, Will.

Brightspot: Since the beginning of the wellness program, Wellness Coordinator Will Zarro has had huge impact on the clients at Canon Human Services. Will has made a significant impact on our clients by providing personalized workout routines that have greatly improved their day-to-day well-being. In addition to his fitness expertise, Will offers invaluable nutrition advice, helping clients make healthier food choices. His dedication and tailored approach have not only enhanced physical health, but have also boosted mental well-being, fostering a more holistic approach to wellness. We are truly grateful for Will’s unwavering commitment and the positive change he continues to bring to our community.

🌟 This past Saturday, with the incredible help of , we hosted our very first Food Distribution event! 🌟

Our commitment to the community embodies indiscriminate compassion and relentless goodwill. Together, we distributed food to about 200 individuals and families, making a significant difference in their lives.

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible: our amazing volunteers, Avalon LA staff, Avalon Surgery Center, Nobility Health, and the incredible team and volunteers at North Valley Caring Services. Your dedication and hard work are what made this event a resounding success! 💖

Let’s continue spreading love and kindness. See you on the next one! Stay tuned for updates.

☀️Join Us for our Summer Food Distribution!☀️

In collaboration with , we’re excited to invite the community to our upcoming food distribution event.

👉 Join us tomorrow
Saturday, June 29
From 10AM to 12PM
At 6622 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90043

👉We will be providing food to up to 200 families on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to arrive early!

🚶**Walk-Up Only, No Drive-Thru Distribution** 🚶

In addition to the food distribution, we will also have a complimentary Porto’s pastries station for all attendees. Please share this event with anyone who may benefit from this support.

Don’t miss out — food distribution starts at 10AM sharp. We look forward to seeing you there!

📣 Join us for Summer Food Distribution! 📣

Avalon LA, in collaboration with , is thrilled to invite the community to our upcoming **Free Food Distribution** event! 🍎🥖🥦 Together, we’re fighting hunger and giving hope in our community.

📅 Date & Time:
🗓️ Saturday, June 29th, 2024
⏰ 10am - 12pm

📍 Location:
6622 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043

👉 Event Details:
- Food Pick-Up starts at 10am
- Serving 200 households
- Walk up only (no drive-thru)

It’s first come, first serve, so make sure to arrive early to get in line! We’ll distribute food to those in need until our supplies run out.

For more information, visit our website at [avalonla.org] or call 888-601-4344.

More info to come!

Let’s come together and support each other. See you there! 💜



—

Feel free to share and spread the word!

__

📣 ¡Únase a nosotros para la Distribución de Alimentos de Verano! 📣

Avalon LA, en colaboración con NVCS, se complace en invitar a la comunidad a nuestro próximo evento de **Distribución Gratuita de Alimentos**. 🍎🥖🥦 Juntos, estamos combatiendo el hambre y dando esperanza a nuestra comunidad.

📅 Fecha y Hora:
🗓️ Sábado, 29 de junio de 2024
⏰ 10am - 12pm

📍 Ubicación:
6622 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Ángeles, CA 90043

👉 Detalles del Evento:
- La recogida de alimentos comienza a las 10am
- Sirviendo a 200 hogares
- Solo para caminar (sin autoservicio)

Es por orden de llegada, así que asegúrese de llegar temprano para ponerse en fila. Distribuiremos alimentos a los necesitados hasta que se agoten nuestras provisiones.

Para más información, visite nuestro sitio web en [avalonla.org] o llame al 888-601-4344.

Unámonos y apoyémonos mutuamente. ¡Nos vemos allí! 💜
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¡No dude en compartir y correr la voz!

📢 Hi everyone,

Today is National Naloxone Awareness Day. We are distributing free Naloxone kits and supplies to help prevent opioid overdoses.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It can restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to overdosing with he**in or prescription opioid pain medications.

Our goal is to educate you on how to use these kits effectively. Please message us if you’re interested in receiving Naloxone training and a preventive kit by mail.

Stay informed, stay safe.



Would you carry Narcan Spray with you?

🌈✨ What an incredible weekend at WeHo Pride Street Fair! 🏳️‍🌈❤️

We had an amazing time connecting with all of you and spreading the word on harm reduction!

📿 Dozens of colorful friendship bracelets were made – each one symbolizing the bond of community care and support.

🚨 Hundreds of Narcan kits and Fentanyl Testing Strips were distributed – crucial tools to keep our community safe and informed. Every life saved is a step towards a safer, healthier future.

We shared vital information on harm reduction, overdose prevention, and more - thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to chat and learn. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication made this event unforgettable!

Together, we’re creating a community that looks out for each other. Here’s to progress, understanding, and unity. Thank you for having us! 💜✨

🌟

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈

We’re thrilled to join the celebration with you all tomorrow at WeHo Pride! 🎉 Come find us at our booth at the street fair on Santa Monica Blvd. 😄✨

We’ll be there spreading smiles, good vibes, and valuable information about Avalon LA and our programs. 🌟 Plus, we’re giving out Narcan Spray and Fentanyl kits for those who are interested.

Try your luck at the prize wheel and you could win a $$ gift card by learning about the life-saving use of Narcan. 💸💖

And don’t miss our friendship bracelet station! 🎨 Make one for yourself, a friend, or donate one to brighten someone’s day in our program. Let’s spread love and support together! 🤝🌈

✨SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!✨🙌

✨👓 A Vision for Better Health 👓✨

💜 One important element of our program was preventive health care, often overlooked in recovery and rehabilitation contexts. To this end, we facilitated visits to Woodley Optometry, where the incredible Dr. Talin Amadian and Dr. Kiyana Kavoussi provided comprehensive eye exams and prescribed glasses to those in need. 👓💙 This initiative underscored our commitment to addressing ALL facets of health, understanding its critical role in overall well-being.

Throughout this pilot program, our mission was not only to assist the individuals at Canon Human Services but also to support the centers themselves. These facilities often operate under constraints, with counselors and directors stretched thin across myriad responsibilities. By stepping in to offer support, we aimed to enhance the overall effectiveness of these institutions, ensuring both staff and patients could thrive. 💪🏽🏥 This is just the beginning! 🌟

Special thanks to Woodley Optometry for donating the glasses the clients at Canon.

Thanks to the Department of Health Care Services Avalon LA will now carry life saving (Naloxone) Spray and testing strips.

👉 Opioids carry risks. That’s why we’re providing safer use tips to minimize potential harm for you and your loved ones. Although these tips can’t remove all dangers, they can reduce the risk of overdose, infection, and other adverse effects, helping to keep opioid users safe and healthy.

👉 Overdose Prevention Tips

- Create an Overdose Plan: Discuss with family and friends how they can help in case of an overdose.
- Carry Naloxone: This overdose reversal drug saves lives. Inform others you have it, as it may need to be administered by a trusted person and may require multiple doses.
- Avoid Using Alone: Having someone nearby increases your chances of surviving an overdose since they can recognize the signs and administer naloxone. If alone, call Never Use Alone.
- Avoid Mixing Drugs: Combining opioids with other substances, including alcohol, increases overdose risk.
- **Monitor Your Health:** Conditions like asthma, kidney/liver issues, and HIV heighten overdose risks.

👉 Tips for Those Prescribed Opioids

- Limit Use: Stop taking opioids once pain subsides. Follow the prescribed dose and schedule.
- Don’t Share: Opioids are tailored to you; sharing them can harm others.
- Store Safely: Keep opioids in a secured, locked place, away from children and pets.
- Dispose Properly: Take unused opioids to a drug drop box; don’t keep them for future use.

👉 Tips for Opioid Users

- Use Fentanyl Test Strips: Legal and available for free in many locations, these strips help detect fentanyl in drugs.
- Avoid Injecting: Injecting increases overdose and infection risks. Use sterile syringes from syringe services programs and avoid sharing needles.
- Be Cautious: Opioids act quickly on the body, heightening overdose risks, especially for irregular users or those using unknown sources.
- Prioritize Health: Factors like dehydration, lack of sleep, and hunger can raise the chances of overdose. Take care of your overall health.

Information taken from County of Los Angeles Public Health Services News Release.

👉 Exciting Announcement!

In the coming weeks, we’re thrilled to introduce some vital resources to our community:

💉 Naloxone
🔬 Fentanyl Test Strips
📞 Telehealth Services..and much more!

Your safety and well-being are our priority. Stay tuned for more updates and make sure to spread the word about these life-saving tools.

🌸💕 This Mother’s Day, from the heart of our streets to the light in your homes, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible strength and boundless love of mothers facing unimaginable challenges every day. 💕🌸

To all the mothers out there who are fighting battles unseen, know that your strength does not go unnoticed. Your love builds the foundation of our community, your resilience inspires change, and your hope ignites our collective movement towards inclusivity and support for every family, regardless of circumstance. 🌈✊

Here’s to recognizing the extraordinary in the everyday, to uplifting those who uplift others even in their times of need, and to fostering a community where every mother has the support she deserves. 💐💌
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