The storytelling Facebook live series uncovers how the COVID-19 vaccine has been a resource for the Latino community
Fresno, CA — Communities for a New California (CNC) is diversifying COVID-19 vaccination outreach efforts through community voices through a storytelling series of Facebook lives produced in partnership with Univision Fresno.
The Californians who are giving their testimonies include a young professional who uses her free time to schedule appointments for those who have not yet been vaccinated, a musician who is a member of the LGBTQ community, and a migrant farm worker who serves in a regional leadership role. “Storytelling is a powerful tool that increases social cohesion and can have a strong influence over behavior. Our participants are even more influential because their stories are relatable and their lives reflect the lived experiences of the residents whom we serve,” said Anna-Lisa Vargas, CNC lead organizer in Coachella.
CNC is working to bolster vaccinations across California to help reach the 70% vaccination goal proposed by Biden. In the Central Valley, where CNC has intensified outreach efforts, vaccinations remain well below the state average making it unlikely to reach herd immunity by the July 4th target date in our neighborhoods. “In regions like Merced, we see a need to expand how we reach people and how we convey the message that vaccines are our best tool to eradicate COVID-19 from our neighborhoods. Only 36% of Merced residents have received just one vaccine dose and we know that the recovery process will be longer and more painful unless we can increase vaccinations,” said Merced Lead Organizer, Mayte Aguilar Cruz. “We have a tremendous challenge in the Central Valley but we are confident that when people see messengers who look like them and give their personal account, they’ll respond positively.”
The first Facebook Live introduces Lorena Lopez, a young professional and caretaker who lives in a multi-generational household with her parents and two children ages 15 and 9. She expressed the great relief her family experienced at having one of the children vaccinated, but also noted that they will remain cautious for the sake of the nine-year-old and hope she will be eligible for a vaccine before returning to in-person classes. The video debuted this week on Noticias Univision 21 Fresno and today on CNC’s social media sites.
Watch Lorena Lopez share her story on Noticias Univision 21 Fresno
The next story will go live from Univision Noticias Univision 21 Fresno Facebook on Monday, June 14th at 1pm featuring Israel Piza Guerrero, a migrant farmworker and community leader who has endured extreme hardships to keep his family healthy during this pandemic.
CNC is also providing outreach through phone banking efforts encompassing 10 counties, literature distribution in Coachella, Merced, and Stanislaus, as well as door-to-door canvassing in Sacramento. Additionally, CNC provides critical training and assistance to a growing list of 24 organizations to help these groups replicate outreach efforts among both hard-to-reach and low participation neighborhoods. CNC has implemented a series of communications campaigns that include COVID-19 vaccination messaging at essential locations like supermarkets and in virtual spaces such as radio, TV, and social media.
CNC encourages everyone 12 years of age and older to get vaccinated. Sign up for a vaccine at myturn.ca.gov, call 1-833-422-4255, or visit a vaccination center in your area. !Súbete la Manga y vacúnate!
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Communities for a New California Education Fund is building a new power in the San Joaquin, Central and Imperial valleys by inspiring working-class Californians to engage, activate and fight for social change in their communities. With the help of staff and volunteers from the very communities we serve, CNC EF organizes and educates residents about policy issues that impact our rural families and organize to improve our neighborhoods.