On Wednesday, June 21, Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC) hosted the Los Angeles City Fire Department’s South Bureau for a day of self-care. Battalion staff from the Harbor area, South Los Angeles, Mid City and Century City — 26 stations in all, streamed in and out between emergency calls to become better equipped to serve community residents.
“Our aim is to reverse the high incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other unhealthy occurrences on the rise,” says Dr. Krystle Madrid, who with Dr. Julie Snyder, both Behavioral Health Specialists with Los Angeles City Fire Department, organized the event. Startling statistics reveal that PTSD is trending high in fire fighters and has surpassed that of military service men and women.
To counter this trend, a thoughtfully curated convening of mental, physical, financial and insurance health professionals were on hand to impart useful tools to navigate the demands of the job toward greater well-being.
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Twenty-three enthusiastic vendors provided care and counsel via behavior health specialists, therapy dogs, a chaplain, cancer screenings, blood pressure monitoring, physical therapy, massage, sleep hygiene, nutrition specialists, benefit and pension reviews, free breakfast, free lunch food trucks and raffle prizes — made possible by a secured grant from a local health entity. Seven Wellness Days are planned throughout the department’s jurisdiction, with this being the fourth stop of the inaugural effort.
Use of Crenshaw Christian Center’s 10,000 square foot Youth Activity Center allowed each vendor to be comfortably housed under one roof amid the 32-acre sprawling campus which was once the original home of Pepperdine University before CCC Founders, the late Apostle Frederick K.C. and Dr. Betty Price, purchased the parcel.
“It is overwhelming to see the outpouring of support for this effort,” remarked Chief Jaime Moore.
“Today, I’m having my throat checked with a cancer screening and visiting other vendors. When would I have time to do this in such a short, efficient way, all under one roof?” he continued. “It’s really great to have this.”
Rooted in a strong belief of caring for those who care for others, Crenshaw Christian Center has supported LAFD for nearly four decades. Its CEO and President, Mrs. Angela Evans, serves as an honorary battalion chief and representing CCC, has adopted several inner-city stations, providing care to fire fighters, including the provision of catered meals at Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July for staff and their families.
Through the years, essentials and support items totaling more than $40,000 have been donated to ease service burdens while firefighters and their teams aid the public through selfless service. They are often first on the scene for calls within and outside of their purview, every ready, steady, professional, and always solution focused.
Recently, Mrs. Evans and Crenshaw Christian Center was presented with a service award by local Battalions. The surprise presentation brought her to tears as she shared her immerse gratitude for the department’s bravery and steadfast commitment to the local community.
South Los Angeles, where CCC is situated, has one of the highest incidents of in-home fires and resident displacement. For decades, the ministry has quietly partnered with LAFD for prevention and detection efforts, including volunteer-led donation and installation of smoke alarms and safety education.
“It is wonderful to care for community in ways large and small,” said Evans. “We are grateful to our fire fighters for providing consistent excellent, professional service to residents, and we want them, their families, and our community at-large to thrive with total health.”
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