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Torrance Corps partners to bring medical services to the community.
By Karen Gleason
The Torrance (Calif.) Corps, partnering with other local organizations, demonstrated its commitment to the holistic care of its community by hosting two health care events: its annual health fair and a mobile health clinic.
More than 500 people attended the 20th annual Health and Resource Fair Sept. 14, presented by The Salvation Army and the City of Torrance Community Services Department. The fair offered free health screenings, education and information, entertainment, door prizes and an antique car display.
Health screenings included stroke, pulmonary, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, vision and hearing, plus “Ask the Foot Doctor,” and “Ask the Skin Doctor.” Over 1,300 free screenings were provided.
“What a blessing to be able to minister to the whole person,” said Corps Officer Captain Neil Navarro. “We were able to not only offer help for the body, but for the spirit as well.”
A number of local sponsors made the event possible: Always Right Home Care, Belmont Village Assisted Living, Brookdale Pacific Inn, Continuity Care Home Nurse, Estate Planning Law Firm of Hofer & Harris APC, Kiwanis Club of Torrance, Providence/Little Company of Mary Hospital and Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
On Sept. 29, Medical Mission Adventures (MMA) parked its mobile medical clinic at the Torrance Corps to provide free medical, dental and eye exams to the community’s uninsured and underinsured population.
The corps partnered with the Torrance Outreach for Community Health (TOUCH) Coalition and the Anglican Health Ministries (AHM) to facilitate the day-long clinic. A goal of TOUCH and AHM is to demonstrate that community organizations can network to enhance continuity of care and reduce uncompensated emergency room visits.
Dr. Louie Rosada, founder of MMA, shared his testimony in the corps’ fellowship hall. Addicted to heroin in his 20s, he met the Lord at the lowest point in his life. He points patients toward spiritual help and healing. During the assembly, 22 people made prayers of salvation.
The Navarros scheduled corps members throughout the day to witness to patients and share the gospel, underscoring the belief of both AHM and MMA that Christians can best minister to others through words and loving actions.
“One woman brought her father, who had not seen a doctor in over 10 years, to the clinic,” said Captain Rubina Navarro. “The optical eye exam revealed that he has glaucoma. He was referred to another optometrist to follow up with his diagnosis. They were grateful and relieved for the free service.”
TOUCH and MMA hope to establish a corps of volunteers to host the free clinic on a regular basis. If you live in Southern California and want to be part of this effort, join the coalition (touchsite.org).
