The first annual Santa Nella Family Mental Health Day was held on May 13, 2023.
It was a fun filled day with over 300 people and 24 local agencies in attendance. All were welcome to attend the free event where they were treated to activities for children and families, dance entertainment, and lunch while learning about local agencies with services and programs available to them.
A collaboration between La Familia Central Valley, community members, and local Gustine and Merced County non-profit agencies, the mission of the event was to bring awareness of available resources directly to Santa Nella residents. A community on the outskirts of Gustine with approximately 2,000 residents, it can easily be overshadowed by other larger neighboring communities. Families felt a sense of belonging and expressed their excitement, stating that “No one ever comes to Santa Nella; this is a wonderful event!”
Held at the Santa Nella Food Market, it was a central location to most of the community – many of whom walked to the event from their homes. Others learned of the event and came from Los Banos and Gustine for the day.
During the event, local residents and 4-H club members greeted attendees and provided them with a passport map. With this passport, they were invited to visit with the different agencies represented at the event. A completed passport entered them into a raffle where the participating agencies donated over 14 gifts ranging from gift cards to family games.
Families who attended were treated to a Baile Folklorico performance by children and teenagers from Delhi. The performance was a wonderful surprise to all attendees!
Additionally, families were invited to do arts and crafts, and to get their face painted. Many agencies had spinning wheels, bubbles, and free giveaways at their tables. All attendees were treated to hot-dogs, chips, and water lunch, and it was all free!
The event aligned with La Familia’s mission is to provide underserved multicultural communities with the tools necessary to build resilience, wellness, and economic power. It was a fun filled day for families and agencies alike and we hope that it is the first of many!
Thank you to Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria and Congressman John Duarte who were both represented at the event, and to Supervisor Rodrigo Espinoza who also showed his support. The event was such a big success because of the partnership with local agencies that attended including:
- Merced County Office of Education – Early Education Programs
- Golden Valley Health Centers
- Merced County
- Worknet
- Merced County Department of Public Health
- Valley Onward
- Valley Crisis Center
- Merced County BHRS/Strengthening Families Program
- Merced County Head Start/EHS
- SOMOS FAMILIA VALLE CENTRAL
- Central California Alliance for Health
- Merced County Human Services Agency All Moms Matter and Strong Beginnings Program
- Merced County Prevention
- Merced County Library
- Forebay 4-H
- Traveling Library
- Gustine Police Department
- Gustine P.D. Volunteers
- Santa Nella Fire Department
- Sheriff Department Los Banos
- Delhi Baile Folklorico