The Next Door, UTOPIA, and One Community Health Host Vaccine Clinic
by Cole Goodwin
On December 14th, The Next Door partnered with One Community Health and the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - Portland Chapter to hold a flu, covid, and mpox vaccine clinic geared towards serving the LGBTQIA2S+ community and Queer and Trans Pacific Islanders at the First Methodist Church in The Dalles. The event was a success, with many clinic goers receiving vaccines and taking advantage of the resources provided by the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance.
In addition to the vaccines, the clinic also provided gift bags filled with traditional Indigenous Pacific Islander medicines, such as teas, Malama essential oil, and Hawaiian cleansing salt.
"We organize to heal through the love for our culture and the love for our people," said UTOPIA, the non-profit organization run by and for Queer and Trans Pacific Islanders that was established in 2017.
UTOPIA also provided food boxes for those in need, with two options available: one containing traditional western foods, and the other containing Asian foods. The boxes were paid for through a federal grant. The next clinic event is tentatively scheduled for January 14th.
The Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance also had a resources table at the event and offers a support group for young adults ages 16-20 who identify within the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The group meets twice a month. For more information about joining the group, contact naomih@nextdoorinc.org
