Local health center hosts hamburger BBQ event for Redding's homeless residents
REDDING, Calif. — For the first time in three years, Shasta Community Health Center hosted its "Healthcare for the Homeless" barbecue at the pavilion and gazebo at Lake Redding Park to celebrate National Health Center Week.
Plenty of healthy appetites as people lined up for burgers fresh off of the grill.
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They were fed on this one day but healthcare is available year-round from clinicians like Dr. Kyle Patton, who practices street medicine in Shasta County, going into homeless camps; treating people where they are in more ways than one.
"This time of year is when people really struggle because they're, not only dealing with the aspects of their homelessness which makes taking care of their health very difficult, but also the elements. So, definitely, this time of year, we see people being hospitalized more frequently; we see their chronic diseases being uncontrolled," explained Dr. Patton. "So, this time of year, especially, we try to be a little more cognizant and try to be a little more active in how we're reaching folks."
The Hope Van was nearby for minor procedures. People who showed up at the barbecue told me they're grateful for the care they receive, and not just medical care.
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"I love the Hope Van and I just love everybody because they help us. They teach us [about], not only mental illness, but mental wellness and get our physicals for cancer. And it's just a wonderful organization," said an attendee at the event, Zanobia Nolley.
"Kyle Patton and the Hope Van and the Hope Van doctors and all the people, for what they do in putting this on, and the amazing amount of food they feed us, like they actually have genuine care and compassion," said another attendee, Teresa Wallner. "I love these guys; I have nothing but love in my heart and kind things to say about them."
"More than anything though, what we wanted this event to be is, is for us to be able to step out of our usual helping roles and stand in solidarity with our patients; let them know that we're here for them and that our community care about them and wants them to be here," Dr. Patton said.
Dr. Patton says getting them into a stable living environment will improve their health more than anything.
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