Akido Street Medicine Team: Bringing Healthcare to Kern’s Rural Homeless, A Glimmer of Hope Amid Neglect and Desolation

Jos Bustamante, released from Lerdo jail for robbing a Little Caesars, joined ten other inmates at a campsite outside Arvin. The Akido Street Medicine Team has worked hard to give direct medical and mental health care to Arvin, Lamont, and Oildale’s homeless population. A team of eight, including behavior specialist Itzel Veliz, has been visiting marginalized people to provide vital care and support.

Bringing Healthcare to Kern’s Rural Homeless: A Glimmer of Hope for Neglected Communities (Photo: Bing)

The California Health Care Foundation‘s report revealed that approximately 60% of the state’s homeless people are registered with Medi-Cal. However, only a third have ever consulted with a primary care provider. The lack of regular health screenings and proper treatment further compounds the predicament. The team faces an uphill battle in its quest to locate and assist these marginalized populations.

Far from the main road, makeshift dwellings fashioned from cardboard, plastic sheeting, and discarded materials serve as homes for neglected individuals. Despite the apparent desolation of these living conditions, the team’s mission is to provide immediate care to those in dire need.

In their earnest endeavor to uplift the health and well-being of the homeless residing in Kern’s rural expanses, the Akido Street Medicine Team shines a beacon of hope and compassion, demonstrating that no location should be beyond the reach of essential healthcare services.

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Jos Bustamante, freshly freed from Lerdo jail, found himself at an encampment near Arvin, among ten other residents, after being incarcerated for robbing a Little Caesars. The Aikido Street Medicine Team, in pursuit of aiding the homeless population in Arvin, Lamont, and Oildale, has diligently tried to bridge the gap by delivering direct medical and mental health care to these neglected quarters. This eight-person team, which includes behavior specialist Itzel Veliz, has been making on-the-ground visits to offer crucial care and support to people living on the periphery of society.

The California Health Care Foundation‘s report revealed that approximately 60% of the state’s homeless people are registered with Medi-Cal. However, only a third have ever consulted with a primary care provider. The need for regular health screenings and proper treatment further compounds the predicament. The team faces an uphill battle to locate and assist these marginalized populations.

Far from the main road, makeshift dwellings fashioned from cardboard, plastic sheeting, and discarded materials serve as homes for neglected individuals. Despite the apparent desolation of these living conditions, the team persists in its mission to provide immediate care to those in dire need.

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