Coming Together Around Healthcare
Folks shared lunch while kids ran around and played. People who had never met before sat down together, and some of those conversations lasted beyond the initial introductions.
About 30 people gathered for a community healthcare picnic hosted by True North’s Healthcare Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Del Norte county. The idea was simple: create a relaxed place where people could spend time together and talk about their experiences with healthcare.
There was food, bingo and activities for kids throughout the afternoon. Rather than sitting behind tables, Leaders moved around the picnic, joining families for lunch and introducing people who might not otherwise have met.
That time together helped set the stage for one of the afternoon’s main activities. For “Cross the Line,” everyone gathered as different barriers to healthcare were read aloud. If someone had experienced that barrier, they stepped forward.
People could look around and see that others had been dealing with some of the same things they had. And because they had already spent time getting to know one another, organizers noticed that people seemed more comfortable being open about what they had experienced.
The conversations also made room for people to share what has helped them and what they would like healthcare in their community to look like.
Some of the most memorable parts of the afternoon had little to do with the planned activities.
Two young friends who used to attend the same school found each other again at the picnic. They no longer go to school together, and a language barrier within their families has made staying connected more difficult. But none of that seemed to matter. They took off together and spent the day running around and playing.
Another woman came with her brother, who she cares for. She wanted him to have a chance to get outside and enjoy the day. One attendee shared how much she appreciated having a gathering like this. She said that with so much happening in the world right now, it gave her hope.
One of the afternoon’s partnerships started with a flyer. After seeing the picnic advertised, the Smith River Fire Protection District reached out and asked if they could come.
Two firefighters showed up and spent the afternoon with everyone else. They played with kids and joined the Cross the Line activity. They also looked through the resource information and learned about services they hadn’t known about before. That information is something they can now share with people they encounter through their own work. They also asked to be included in future events.
The picnic led to other connections as well. The Healthcare LOC has heard interest from people working with veterans and other community groups who would like to see similar gatherings happen with the people they serve. Leaders are now talking about where to hold the next one.
The picnic also brought attention to a resource many attendees hadn't heard of: the North Coast Resource Hub. It helps folks find healthcare and other community resources throughout Del Norte, Humboldt, and Curry counties. The site can be translated into multiple languages, and people can search for services based on what they need.
Visit www.resourcehub.nchiin.org to explore the site.
