A Heathy Start in a New Country

After arriving in the US, Guatemalan immigrant Juan found it difficult to access COVID-19 vaccination. Then he heard about the Central American Resource Education Center’s (CARECEN) Day Labor Center. In addition to connecting workers with employees in the Los Angeles area, the Center held a vaccine clinic staffed by PRIME clinic. In this safe and accessible place, Juan was vaccinated for COVID-19. He is now more comfortable searching for jobs and getting to know his community in his new city. CARECEN’s vaccine clinic started operating consistently in early 2022, offering bilingual assistance and Amazon gift card raffles to participants. About 200 community members have already been vaccinated. “We feel this consistent vaccine clinic is a success because the area we are based in only has vaccine clinics at the major hospitals,” said Joshua Erazo, CARECEN Day Labor Organizer.