California

Healthy Family Fun

Toberman Neighborhood Center held its first Healthy Family Fun Fair at their San Pedro facility on January 22. The center is a non-profit organization that provides social services to low-income families in the harbor area, helping them move from poverty to self-sufficiency. Toberman offers healthy-living and learning programs providing a multitude of enriching activities that help to improve their client’s education, health, and self-esteem.

The event drew many families who were interested in learning about health-related programs available in their community. There were free vision, hearing, dental, diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure screenings available. There to support the event was State Farm Agent Suzanne Zimmerman and her team, Kelly Parker, Roger Donner, and Kacy Murakami; and Auto Claim Representatives Dionne Murakami, Lisa Thomas. Together, they handed out nearly 500 bags filled with information on dog-bite prevention.

Zimmerman said, “My team and I experienced firsthand how meaningful an event like this is for the local community, but especially for the kids. This was a chance for the community to have some dental, vision, and other health screening and education available to them at no charge. When I saw how excited the kids were to get a State Farm Frisbee, coloring book, or a toothbrush. It really brought things into perspective on how as an individual or an organization it doesn’t take a whole heck of a lot to make a positive impact in our local communities.”

Toberman strives to provide a safe environment for community members to grow, learn, and explore. Their Family Resources program addresses the many needs of individuals and families in the community. Each program offers a holistic approach to helping people improve their lives. In addition, the Toberman Gang Intervention Unit works with 30-plus gangs in the Harbor area to maintain the 12-year Harbor-Area Truce. The unit provides case management and wrap-around services to gang-involved clients and their families. The Toberman Gang Intervention unit helps move 75-80 individuals past the gang lifestyle every year.