The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation honored eight organizations last week for their significant contributions to supporting the most underserved communities in Coachella Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A press release from Desert Healthcare revealed that around four years ago, the organization partnered with various entities throughout Coachella Valley to orchestrate a community-wide response to the pandemic. Desert Healthcare allocated CARES Act funding, which was received through Riverside County, to eight community- and faith-based nonprofits. This initiative was dubbed the Coachella Valley Equity Collaborative (CVEC). Over time, the number of organizations participating in this alliance expanded to 25.
The press release further explained that CVEC’s mission was to provide underserved community members with access to tests, vaccines, education, and other COVID-19 resources. It achieved its goals by eliminating barriers to care such as limited access to transportation and technology as well as language restrictions.
According to Desert Healthcare’s press release, since its inception, CVEC has provided 49,646 vaccines and 23,592 tests through services offered at 350 COVID-19 testing clinics and 478 vaccination clinics. In addition, it supplied more than 15,000 at-home tests, 2,357 doses of the flu vaccine, 68 doses of RSV vaccine, 21 doses of shingles vaccine and 13 doses of pneumonia vaccine.
Desert Healthcare’s press release also highlighted those who were honored including original partner organizations: Alianza Coachella Valley, El Sol Neighborhood Education Center, Galilee Center, Lideres Campesinas, Pueblo Unido CDC, TODEC Legal Center, Visión Y Compromiso and Youth Leadership Institute. Other recognized entities were Borrego Health, California Farmworker Foundation, CV Pharmacy and Rite-Aid Pharmacies.
Board Director Leticia De Lara of Desert Healthcare District and Foundation was quoted in the press release saying: “This is such a big deal. Fifty thousand vaccines were administered—that is amazing. This was such a team effort.”
