Young Punjabi dancers perform during the Cultural Health and Wellness Celebration in Yuba City on April 9.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Sutter County Public Health marked National Public Health Week with its fourth annual Cultural Health and Wellness Celebration April 9, drawing an estimated 200 residents to a two‑hour resource fair designed to connect families with low‑cost and no‑cost services.

The event, held in Veterans Memorial Hall in Yuba City, brought together more than 30 agencies offering support for seniors, families, people with disabilities, farm workers and veterans. Organizers said the goal is to put as many community resources as possible in one place so residents can meet providers face to face. The celebration also featured free drawings, activities for children and entertainment. 

California Human Development representatives are poised to deliver information on workforce programs for farm workers during the Cultural Health and Wellness Celebration.

“This is in honor of National Public Health Week, and it’s our way of bringing low‑cost or no‑cost resources to the community,” said Lucia Campos, health education and promotion coordinator for Sutter County Public Health. “Anything that can improve the quality of life for our residents, we want it here.”

National Public Health Week is observed each April to highlight the work of public health agencies and promote community well‑being. 

Campos said the county launched the celebration four years ago to expand outreach and make services easier to access.

Public Health Program Manager Tony Vang said the fair continues to grow. 

Families enjoy free activities and entertainment at the Cultural Health and Wellness Celebration.

“We bring together agencies from across the area who provide resources for all community members,” Vang said. “We usually see around 200 people come through.”

Among the agencies participating this year was the California Department of Rehabilitation, which supports individuals with disabilities who want to return to work or pursue new training. JoAnne Cummins, business specialist, who staffed the booth, said many residents still don’t know the program exists. The department helps people with verified disabilities, including mental health and autism spectrum disorders, gain skills, education or job training so they can enter or reenter the workforce.

“I’ve been in this community for more than 30 years and didn’t know about the Department of Rehabilitation until I needed it myself,” she said. “If I went through that, other people are going through it too. When one person gets a job, that’s the reward.”

Representatives of local agencies share information with visitors during the Cultural Health and Wellness Celebration.

California Human Development also attended, sharing information about its workforce programs for farmworkers, including truck‑driving and vocational training offered in Woodland, Marysville and Williams. 

Director of Strategic Communications Jorge Salvala said the nonprofit has served California since 1967 and works closely with One Stop centers to help residents gain new skills.

Other booths included Sutter County One Stop, Prevention Services, WIC, MCAH, the American Red Cross, the American Lung Association, Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter and multiple Sutter County Public Health programs. Attendees collected initials from each booth on a passport card for a chance to win prizes.

Campos said the event is intentionally broad, reflecting the wide range of needs in the region. “We want seniors, families, pregnant mothers, people with disabilities and anyone looking for support to know these services are here,” she said.