Gov. Newsom, Sean Penn, and Officials Visit San Gabriel City.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and actor and founder of Core Response, Sean Penn, made a surprise visit on Wednesday to the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse while COVID vaccinations were being given.

According to Councilmember Jason Pu, “they came to see first-hand how this federally-qualified health clinic (FQHC) has provided equitable access to the vaccine for our hard-to-reach and underserved community members. To date, they have vaccinated over 9,000 seniors, teachers / school staff and now grocery, restaurant and food workers who were not otherwise able to get appointments.

While supply is still limited (but accelerating), there are also language barriers, technology barriers and transportation barriers that this clinic has helped overcome for the West San Gabriel Valley. It truly has been life-saving work and we hope this FQHC model can even be expanded to help fill the gaps and reach the hard-to-reach segments of the community and ensure equitable access to the vaccine.”

To ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations for hard-to-reach and under-served members of the community, the Herald Christian Health Center (HCHC) has launched community-based COVID-19 vaccination centers at select locations across the San Gabriel Valley. In partnership with the cities of San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Arcadia, Temple City and Rosemead, HCHC has helped overcome language, technology and transportation barriers for these hard-to-reach and under-served communities and provided equitable access to the vaccine for community members who are eligible but have not otherwise been able to get appointments.

HCHC has collaborated with local cities, school districts, community groups and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to administer over 9,000 vaccinations to seniors, school district teachers and staff and other essential workers. This month, the Herald Christian Health Center has begun administering vaccines to an expanded list of eligible groups, including grocery store, restaurant and other food service employees.

Herald Christian has also introduced vaccination hubs in the City of Monterey Park, the City of Arcadia, the City of Temple City and the City of Rosemead, which are available to community members by appointment on select dates.

“As COVID-19 vaccines become available, we continue to advocate for the underserved segments of the community,” said Herald Christian Health Center CEO Carolin Eng. “Simply put, our mission is to close the disparity gap and reach those who may experience a language barrier, technology challenges and transportation limitations to ensure all can have access to the vaccine.

“We are proud to partner with local organizations to facilitate access to critical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said San Gabriel Mayor Denise Menchaca. “The Herald Christian Health Center has provided a tremendous service to the community, and is a vital part of our continued effort to ensure that teachers and essential workers – as well as under-served members of our community – have access to vaccinations.

“Collectively, the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Vaccination Site is considered a model due to these partnerships.”