CALEXICO — A grassroots group devoted to creating Calexico a greater place carried out the newest part of its “Holistic Wellness Challenge” lately by putting in a group library in entrance of the Housing Authority workplace on Fifth Avenue.
Referred to as Calexico Wants Change, the band of younger community-minded activists, the group can also be recognized for its community fridge effort that has placed a refrigerator out in the community during which these in want of a meal or hydration can achieve this without spending a dime.
“The Neighborhood Library Challenge is principally your easy ‘get-a-book, take-a-book, give-a-book, take-a-book,’ the place you’ll be able to go to this library and get a e-book, any e-book that’s in it,” Calexico Wants Change founder Ismael Arvizu stated whereas the library was being put in on Friday, Dec. 3. “And at any time when you’ll be able to, or really feel prefer it, you’ll be able to go return it or give a brand new one. So, it creates a pleasant — what’s the phrase? — ecosystem of books circulating by between the libraries and between households.”
The library will include two picket bins, every set atop a pole, with a door on the entrance for entry inside the field, which will probably be stuffed with books. The library is open to all members of the group, with no restrictions or hours of operation.
Arvizu stated the aim is that the library will probably be maintained by the group at giant with out the necessity for lasting oversite.
Simply as the upkeep of the library is to be a group enterprise, so was the set up. Round 20 members of the group, of all ages, participated within the set up, portray the surface of the library with shiny colours, with photos of butterflies, cartoon characters, and even a Calexico Bulldog.
One group made a very robust displaying, the Asian Pacific Youth Management Membership from Calexico Excessive Faculty. Seventeen-year-old senior and membership President Kelly Li stated the membership had virtually of its government board attend, all volunteering to assist the group.
“We noticed, like this (Instagram) submit about it on considered one of Calexico Wants Change posts. And we simply determined, it’s like one thing enjoyable that we may do all day, and they’ll be giving out books to your entire group,” Kelly stated throughout a breaking from portray.
The library couldn’t have been put in with out the help of the Calexico Housing Authority, which allowed the library to be positioned in entrance of their places of work. Teri Nava, the manager director of the Housing Authority, attended the set up, bringing her preschool-aged grandson together with her to assist enhance the library.
“The Calexico Wants Change approached my board of administrators, and so they directed me or requested me to take part to convey literacy to our group on the Housing Authority, so it’s a very thrilling day,” Nava stated. “I’m actually excited to see this many youngsters present up and be part of this. And I look ahead to it being a optimistic output or, , enter for the youngsters right here in our group and the adults as effectively.”
Holistic Wellness Challenge
The library is just one facet of Calexico Wants Change’s extra expansive Holistic Wellness Challenge. This bigger venture focuses on bettering the “wellness” of Calexico residents by feeding not solely their minds however their our bodies.
“It’s all a part of the Holistic Wellness Challenge, the place we’re attempting to enhance well being, physique and thoughts. The physique, we enhance with what we eat, so the group fridge and the group gardens are proper there,” Arvizu stated. “The group fridge has been put in and the group gardens are on their method.
“And for the thoughts to enhance, the (aim) is to love assist college students, or youngsters, or anybody else be launched to new types of literature, and that type of stuff. So, it’s blended as a result of you’ll be able to’t have a wholesome physique or solely a wholesome thoughts,” he stated.
At the moment, the group fridge is positioned inside to the Calexico Wellness Middle Thrift Retailer, positioned at 406 E. Second St. Whereas the group fridge was initially positioned open air, as to grant easy accessibility to the meals inside, Arvizu stated the fridge needed to be moved into an indoor area as the acute warmth of the summer time prevented the fridge from holding the meals chilly sufficient. In any other case, Arvizu reported, the group fridge has been successful.
“We opened it in April, late April, I believe, or early to mid-April, however level is, we began with the Hope Cafe, we put it proper subsequent to it, within the parking zone. That’s proper subsequent to the D’Polys (Taco store). And it was an enormous success, the place we might dump $40 or $50 price of meals each day. And the group will come and use it up,” he stated. “They’re there to drink water, they’re there eat bananas, and to take the bread. Many occasions, individuals would convey their very own meals, like somebody would cook dinner pasta or purchase some one thing I’d hope and simply go away it proper then and there.”
Public well being advocate and Imperial Valley Fairness and Justice Coalition founding member Daniela Flores additionally attended the set up. Flores, whose outreach focuses on offering healthcare entry for underserved communities, expressed pleasure at seeing the Calexico group come collectively to help those that are much less lucky.
“I got here out right here as a result of one thing actually particular is occurring on this group, and it’s taking place in one of many hearts of the group. This group, , Calexico Wants Change, is bringing one thing that’s so necessary. They are surely bringing one thing particular to the group in a method that’s making accessible issues that needs to be accessible to all in our group,” Flores stated as she started to color a e-book on the library.