October 14, 2024
VENICE FAMILY CLINIC LAUNCHES FIRST “VOTE FOR YOUR HEALTH” INITIATIVE LEADING UP TO NOV. 5 ELECTION
NONPROFIT HEALTH CENTER TO HOST PANEL DISCUSSION, MOBILE VOTE CENTERS & VOTER REGISTRATION EVENTS TO EMPOWER & ASSIST ELIGIBLE VOTERS
INGLEWOOD – (October 14, 2024) – Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center serving 45,000 people in need across Los Angeles County, has announced the launch of its inaugural “Vote for Your Health” initiative that includes voter registration events, official mobile vote centers and a panel discussion exploring how individuals’ voting decisions can impact their health and health care options.
As the November 5 General Election date approaches, and because research shows that communities that vote at higher rates experience better health outcomes, this comprehensive campaign is aimed at educating and mobilizing eligible community members to vote with their health in mind. All “Vote for Your Health” initiative events are free and open to the public.
“We are deeply committed to our patients’ well-being, and we believe that voting is a powerful tool for influencing the policies that impact health,” stated Venice Family Clinic CEO Dr. Mitesh Popat. “That’s why we want to empower every member of our community with the resources and education to cast an informed vote – both for their own health, and the wellbeing of their neighbors.”
In addition to ongoing voter registration events at several Clinic locations, “Vote for Your Health” initiative events include the following:
Vote Your Health Panel Discussion and Resource Fair: October 21 in Inglewood
The “Vote for Your Health” initiative will feature a public panel on October 21 at the Center of Hope in Inglewood (9550 Crenshaw Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90305), exploring how voting directly impacts healthcare policies and community well-being. Panelists from Venice Family Clinic and Black Women for Wellness will discuss the importance of civic participation in shaping health outcomes, as well as initiatives on this year’s ballot that can impact community health. Experts will also be on hand to help attendees better understand their ballot and some of the factors they can consider when deciding how to cast it. Panel topics on this year’s ballot and of particular interest to Clinic patients will include Proposition 35, which aims to improve access to care for millions of Medi-Cal patients throughout the state, and local Measure A, which seeks to secure funds to address homelessness and affordable housing across L.A. County.
The family-friendly event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments, music and a Resource Fair to educate the public about voting. The panel discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Mobile Vote Center Events: October 26 – November 2 in Inglewood, Venice, Santa Monica and Gardena
To bring voting access directly to communities, Venice Family Clinic is also partnering with L.A. County to provide mobile vote centers at various Venice Family Clinic locations around Los Angeles County. In addition to offering a convenient way for attendees to vote and receive same-day ballot assistance in person, these events will also feature a lively atmosphere with music, refreshments and additional voter resources.
Media are also welcome to attend these free-to-the-public events, and Mobile Vote Centers will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:
October 26: Inglewood South La Brea Health Center (1091 South La Brea Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301)
○ This event will also feature a Halloween Celebration for the whole family with arts and crafts, a blender bike and a kids play area.
October 29: Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health & Wellness Center (604 Rose Ave. Venice, CA 90291)
October 31: Simms/Mann Health & Wellness Center (2509 Pico. Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405)
November 2: Gardena Health Center (742 West Gardena Blvd. Gardena, CA 90247)
○ This event will also feature a Harvest Festival including non-perishable food distribution, face-painting, crafting, a community ofrenda/altar and a performance by Grupo Folklórico Nuestras Raíces.
For more information about the clinic’s “Vote for Your Health” initiative and upcoming events, please visit https://venicefamilyclinic.org/voteforyourhealth/.
About Venice Family Clinic
Venice Family Clinic is a nonprofit community health center that is a leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality primary health care to more than 45,000 people in need annually, regardless of their income, insurance or immigration status. The Clinic serves an area from the Santa Monica Mountains through the South Bay in Los Angeles County. It has a network of clinic locations and Early Head Start centers in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Culver City, Redondo Beach, Carson, Gardena and Hawthorne, plus mobile clinics and an expansive street medicine program to reach people experiencing homelessness. The Clinic’s comprehensive care also includes mental health services, dental care, vision services, substance use treatment, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, healthy food distributions, health education, health insurance enrollment, child development services and more. For more information, please visit VeniceFamilyClinic.org and follow on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.