Written by Tanya Terry
A Kroger COVID-19 vaccine clinic to take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday, August 26, at Greater Holy Temple Church is expected to be have a large impact on Flint residents and give them another way to engage in summer fun. Giveaways, live music, children’s activities and community resources will also be part of this event.
Kenyetta Dotson, director of community based implementation and engagement for the Flint Registry, a community partner working with the R.L. Jones Community Outreach Center, a nonprofit organization of Greater Holy Temple Church, said she would like the event to reach as many people as possible.
“I like for our community to be well-informed about the things happening in the community so they can take full advantage and have complete access to the resources and services that are available to strengthen themselves, as well as their family, as much as possible,” Dotson said.
“So much has happened within the city of Flint that I just feel it’s very important for our families and individuals to have complete access to the resources and services that are available to help us to be as informed and as healthy as possible,” Dotson continued.
She thinks utilizing the Help Centers, such as Greater Holy Temple, as partners is definitely a good approach.
“Anytime we can tap into our existing partnerships within the community and collaborate with those who are already doing great work, that’s a great model to build upon.”
Refrigerators, air conditioners and fans will be given away in drawings as part of this event.
“These items that are being given away are good supplies that families need. They could be useful to families, and are one less thing a family would have to purchase with their money. This is something that could definitely benefit families.”
Pat Cronley and Jazz on Wheels is scheduled to perform.
“They usually come out with this really huge truck, and they play wonderful jazz music and other types of easy listening music. They’re just phenomenal!”
There will also be playground equipment for the children.
“We will be outside under a tent. We’re asking people to be conscious of staying six feet away and utilizing hand sanitizers. We’ll have hand sanitizers available throughout the event. Masks will be available for people to utilize.”
There will also be a host of community resource partners present during the vaccine clinic, including SWAT and Valley Agency on Aging. Families and individuals will be able to talk to mental health professionals on site through the Genesee Health System Mental Health Mobile Unit. Access to jobs and job information will be available through Mott Workforce Development.
“If you need training information, as far as wanting to be a nurse, wanting to be a skilled trades person, there will be all sorts of opportunities to get a fresh start.”
The Flint Registry will be onsite, enrolling persons who have not yet enrolled in the registry. A $50 thank you check is available to anyone who enrolls on site.
Water filters will be available for clinic attendees.
According to Dotson, many residents have come to Greater Holy Temple with questions about their water filters. They are concerned with the use and cleanliness of their filters. If residents are in need, the city will be on site to answer questions and provide new water filters.
A large amount of free clothing will be available for women, men, infants, toddlers and children.
Water will be given away to Flint residents, and all Genesee County residents can receive free food.
Greater Holy Temple Church has partnered with Kroger to provide both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the Flint community on this day.
“Making sure the community has access to the vaccine and the ability to make the decision about being vaccinated is an important decision as it relates to partners who are providing events throughout the city and doing this type of work and service throughout the city. Anytime we have the opportunity to put something on that caters to the needs of individuals throughout the city of Flint, if we can offer COVID vaccinations then I think we should do that so that people have the option to get vaccinated or not. It takes all of us working together to make sure that we’re being the solution to these individual and collective problems that affect our family systems.”
Dotson said having the correct information from the public health community and the medical community is very important regarding the science behind the data.
“If we can get them out, we can get them to listen,” said Sandra Jones, executive director at R. L. Jones Community Outreach Center, Inc.
Greater Holy Temple Church is located at 6702 N. Dort Highway, Flint, MI, 48505.
