Featured photo:
Dr. Latressa Gordon, DNP, RN administers a vaccine at the COVID vaccine clinic held at Hasselbring Senior Center to Flint City Councilman Eric Mays.
Written by Tanya Terry
Michigan United is working in conjunction with area churches, coalitions or committees by bringing vaccines from the Genesee County Health Department to several events in September. Among these events are Ebenezer Ministries’ Drive-up Mobile Clinic and the Genesee County Veterans’ Stand Down. They will also be providing vaccines at the New Creation Church of God food pantry this month.
Most clinics do about 20-30 events, and Michigan United has done almost 30 events within the last three months, according to Dr. Latressa Gordon, DNP, RN, who is the nurse coordinator for Michigan United.
“We do about 2-3 events a week,” Gordon said.
Gordon was trained by the Genesee County Health Department. Since the health department staff doesn’t work on weekends, Michigan United Public Health Navigator Program Manager Aurora Sauceda said the health department has expressed gratitude for Michigan United weekend vaccine events.
From 12-2 p.m., after the church’s outdoor service, on Sunday, September 12, Ebenezer Ministries’ Drive-up Mobile Clinic takes place. The clinic features a backpack giveaway; raffles and prizes; a cookout with hot dogs, hamburgers and free water, as well as vaccines. All three vaccines will be available, including third vaccines for those who qualify.
From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, the Genesee County Veterans’ Stand Down takes place. Veterans’ families and the rest of the community are welcome to receive their choice of the three vaccinations.
“Most veterans got their vaccines at the Veterans Administration (VA), but some veterans, because of post traumatic (stress disorder-PTSD), don’t seek the benefits they’re qualified for,” Sauceda said. “They might just be walking around and don’t know how to get the vaccine.”
This event will not only allow these veterans to get vaccines, but they can get information about services such as employment, education and legal services, in addition to information on food, clothing, showers and more. Veterans are asked to bring DD-214 or VA ID card.
Gordon is a vet who served during Desert Storm as an LPN, which is how Michigan United got connected for this event.
Between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on September 16 while New Creation Church of God’s food pantry is available, Michigan United will be providing vaccines. Anyone with proper identification can receive food from the pantry.
Michigan United staff is available to answer questions at all the events.
Sauceda said what Michigan United found is many people did not get vaccinated because they were afraid and because they didn’t have the information they needed to make that decision.
“Our motto is justice and dignity,” Sauceda said. “If our communities of color don’t have the same access that others do, then we are not doing our job as far as being equitable with all the communities.”
