[ad_1]
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is set to host its 23rd free vaccination clinic on Thursday, March 14.
The nonprofit organization, which is located in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, has been serving underserved communities throughout Kent County for over 40 years.
Veronica Mascorro, health and wellness manager at the Hispanic Center, said the organization sees firsthand the needs of the surrounding community.
She said the group provides support such as access to vaccinations, assistance filling out Medicaid/Medicare paperwork, job opportunities through workforce development partnerships, and help for parents transitioning into local school districts.
Mascorro said the clinic is a clear example of how the group is trying to meet the needs of the community, especially when the language barrier is so prominent.
“A lot of times, resources are only provided in English,” she said. “We put on our events because we find it important to help our community and provide them with the resources, they need in the languages they need.”
The Thursday COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic is being held at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, 1204 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, from 4 to 7 p.m. Registration is not required.
Related: After pediatric death, Michigan doctor says it’s not too late for flu shot
In the last year and a half, the Hispanic Center has been able to administer 431 COVID-19, flu and Monkeypox vaccines at no cost, according to Mascorro.
She said the clinics, events and other programs are always open to anyone interested. However, the need for the Latino/Latinx population in the Grand Rapids area is still significant.
She told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that a big reason why many members of the community were hesitant to get their vaccinations was due to various local pharmacies requiring identification.
“There was a lot of fear revolving around whether your ID was not from Michigan, whether they were going to turn…
..
[ad_2]
