San Diego Downtown Fellowship News

 

San Diego is encountering one of the fastest outbreaks of Hepatitis A in the United States.  Kimberly Pettiford from the County of San Diego provided an overview of the virus.  To date, over 425 people have contracted the virus which has resulted in 16 deaths - mostly within the homeless population.  The County is aggressively working to educate and vaccinate HOSP, volunteers and the homeless population.  Here are are the main takeaways from the meeting: 

• HAV is usually transmitted by touching objects or eating food that someone with HAV infection handled.  Having sex with someone who has a HAV infection.
• The most effective deterrent is to wash your hands with soap and water.
• Symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes (jaundice), stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, and diarrhea.
• Hepatitis A can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

Additional Hepatitis A details can be found on the County of San Diego's website 

Michelle Smith from the San Diego Rescue Mission provided our September Member Spotlight.  Michelle brought greetings from the Rescue Missions new CEO Donnie Dee who began in July. Did you know that the Rescue Mission offers more than recovery programs?  The SDRM provides in-depth programs from toddlers to recuperative care services.  

• Emergency Shelter for Women and Children
• Children's Center Preschool
• Outpatient Therapy Clinic
• Recuperative Care Unit
• Alumni Aftercare   

More about their programs can be found here

Our mentorship program continues to grow, with 7 official matches and several more matches “in the works.” This week, our mentors and mentees will go on their first group outing to a Padres game at Petco Park! Group outings are a great way to build community and simply enjoy a fun night off together. Meanwhile, one of our mentees is getting ready to move into his new apartment in the next few weeks. He expressed how grateful he is to have a mentor to accompany him through that transition. We’re amazed to already be seeing the power of mentorship in the lives of both mentors and mentees.

What we need most right now is more mentors. Please share our mentor application, now available online, with anyone you know who may be interested in walking alongside a formerly homeless individual as an advocate and friend. And, please contact us if you’re interested in having our Mentorship Coordinator, Lyssa Melonakos, speak to your congregation or organization.

This Friday 7 PM - A free concert from The San Diego Street Choir!  The BlesSING Benefit Concert will be the Street Choir's biggest gig yet!  All proceeds will go to music and arts education at the Monarch School, a K-12 school designed for kids impacted by homelessness. The San Diego Street Choir members have a heart to give back - "Homeless Serving Homeless Kids"! Hosted by First Presbyterian Church - in the sanctuary.  Details here