This summer, our RYSing Professionals youth interns created and led a storytelling project and social media campaign to share about community experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collaborating with Kimberly Balmorez, the Health Career Pathways Program Assistant at Contra Costa Health Services, they produced 9 videos interviews with young people, parents, educators, therapists, and health workers.
Listen to their stories and read a reflection by Kimberly Balmorez below.
“You are seen, you are heard, and you are not alone.” Take care of yourself, each other, and stay safe!
Hi, my name is Kimberly Balmorez. I have been working with the RYSing Professionals interns since the beginning of this year, to assist them in actualizing a project that highlights the Bay Area community's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few months, the interns have quickly transformed an idea to host a health fair into an online project that strives to better understand and share how our community has been affected by the pandemic, and connect folks with social distancing-friendly forms of healing and resources.
The pandemic has not been easy for many, as we strive to find ways to reimagine the "new normal" and advocate for a future that supports historically marginalized people all throughout the world. To me, this project shows how important it is for us to communicate, listen and adapt to each other's needs, especially in times of crisis when it feels more difficult to connect. I am honored to have been a part of this project to bring to life the intern's vision, and witness their personal and professional growth throughout the process. The interns have created a project that sparks a conversation online about how people have been affected by COVID-19, but my hope is that people continue these conversations offline to improve how systems and communities support one another during this time.
Kimberly Balmorez
Health Career Pathways Program Assistant
Contra Costa Health Services
Resources
For a full list of community resources, click here.
Mental Health
1 (888) 678 - 7277
Food Banks & Access to Groceries
CalFresh
1 (877) 505 - 4630
Online Application (For support in completing application, call the Food Bank at 1 (855) 309 - FOOD
General
2-1-1 Contra Costa (or Dial 211)
Make Your Own Face Masks
Sew/No sew Face Masks from the CDC