Church of the Redeemer and the Martin Luther King Community Medical Group have united to raise awareness about healthcare among residents in the South L.A. and Compton areas.
According to the Rev. Dr. Kerry Allison, pastor of Redeemer, and Sonia Polanco, outreach coordinator with MLK Med, the partnership includes educating the congregation and surrounding neighborhoods about the clinic’s services and using the church’s classrooms to hold seminars on healthy lifestyles.
“Also, we will collaborate on community fairs to provide resources and information along with promoting the services offered by the clinic that can address various health care concerns, especially health issues that are systemic to African Americans,” said Allison.
“The church will host an extension of MLK’s efforts to bring a holistic approach where the body, mind and spirit can be treated,” explained Polanco. “We will give information after the worship services along with hosting classes to share about healthy habits and providing all of the resources that we have to them.”
The MLK Community Medical Group, located at 2251 W. Rosecrans Ave., Suite 18, in Compton, offers primary care treatment for children and adults and specialty care for diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, urology, mental and behavioral health, foot care, infectious disease, surgery and addiction medicine.
On Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the facility will hold a community open house day. Entertainment and refreshments will be available as well as free health screenings for genetic cancer, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol and dental check ups. Also, information will be presented about WIC and nutrition resources, Covered California and Cal Fresh enrollment, Medicare, and life and long term care insurance.
“We are providing support for the clinic to reach our congregation as well as the community. This is another component of the different ministries that we are doing at Redeemer Church,” Allison said.
Redeemer is well known in the area for its community-based partnerships. A day care center operates on it property and the church hosts a monthly Teen Club for foster children in conjunction with L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services.
In addition, Redeemer united with a local food bank to administer a summer meal program for young people. The activities include a free two-week summer camp that is open to children in nearby neighborhoods.
Allison shared in a Sentinel interview earlier this year, “People need church space. We really believe in using collaboration to address needs in our community. We may not be able to do it ourselves, but we can partner with people and community in order to do ministry.”
So, it’s not surprising that Redeemer enthusiastically backs the activities of the MLK Community Medical Group. “We are really excited and want the community to know that there are resources here in Compton,” Allison said. “This is positive news that we want to share!”
For appointments at MLK Community Medical Group, call (424) 529 6755. Most major medical plans are accepted.To learn more about Church of the Redeemer, which is located at 900 E. Rosecrans Ave., in Los Angeles, call (310) 537-1372.
