Discover This Month’s Pot of Gold
Marching Into the Pot of Gold
Celebrating the wins waiting at the end of our rainbow — from standout program milestones to the everyday moments of teamwork that make our department shine. Here’s to the gold we’ve gathered together this March!
A Golden Moment for Our Board Member: Women of the Year Recognition
We are honored to recognize our board member, Rocio Castellanos as the Woman of the Year for the 39th Assembly District!
On Monday, March 16, 2026, Rocio was celebrated for her outstanding service and impact across the Antelope Valley. As the appointed Deputy Mayor of Lancaster, she has devoted more than a decade to uplifting the community through her advocacy, leadership, and commitment to programs that advance health and wellness.
For the past year, AVPH also had the privilege of having Rocio serve as a dedicated board member. Her insight, compassion, and drive for meaningful change continue to inspire us all and strengthen our mission every day.
We are proud to honor Rocio’s achievements and are grateful for the lasting difference she makes in our community. Congratulations, Rocio, and thank you for everything you do for District 39 and the Antelope Valley!
“Congratulations on this well‑earned honor. It has been a true privilege to work alongside you this past year. Your steady leadership and genuine heart for our community enrich everything we do. We are grateful for the guidance you bring to our Board and proud to celebrate this recognition with you.”
— Michelle Fluke, Executive Director, AVPH
AVPH Food Pantry Distribution – Pantry Pot of Gold!
Our food pantry continued to make a meaningful impact for families across the Antelope Valley. Together, we distributed 6,799 pounds of fresh produce, supporting 549 households and providing nutritious food to 1,887 individuals.
Each distribution reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing food insecurity and caring for our community.
Our food pantry is open to all community members!
We invite anyone who may benefit from fresh produce and dry goods to join us at our upcoming distributions.
Location: 858 West Jackman St, Lancaster, CA 93534
Time: 8:00am – 10:30am
Schedule: Every 2nd and 4th Friday*
Food Equity Program – Lucky to Learn: ServSafe Graduates!
Our Food Equity Program hosted four ServSafe certification classes, providing 30 participants with free, accessible food‑safety training. We’re proud to offer opportunities that help community members build valuable skills and strengthen food equity across the Antelope Valley.
Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (SON) – Lucky to Serve Our Community!
AVPH’s Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (SON) Team continued strengthening relationships across the Antelope Valley this month and expanding access to essential services for individuals and families throughout the region.
- A total of 107 new clients were added to our service list, connecting more households to vital resources.
- Community engagement reached 1,454 individuals through local community events, helping expand awareness of available services and programs.
SON Retreat in Los Angeles
AVPH SON team attended a retreat in Los Angeles, collaborating with regional partners dedicated to coordinated, community‑centered health efforts.
The AVPH SON Team shared core values and the impact of our work with partners and stakeholders, helping build a deeper understanding of our mission in the Antelope Valley.
Through sustained outreach and intentional relationship‑building, meaningful connections continued to grow—supporting long‑term trust, collaboration, and positive change.
CalKIDS Program – Good Fortune for Future Students!
The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) provides eligible students with free college savings accounts and scholarship funds, giving families a valuable head start on future education costs. By helping parents understand and enroll in this program, AVPH is opening doors to long‑term financial and academic opportunity for children across the Antelope Valley.
To support awareness and participation, AVPH completed 827 community conversations and distributed 1,876 informational flyers throughout Lake Los Angeles, Littlerock, Palmdale, and Lancaster. These outreach efforts helped families learn how CalKIDS works and how to access their benefits.
Assisted enrollments officially began on March 2, 2026, and interest has grown quickly. By March 13, the CORE team successfully completed 114 CalKIDS enrollments. From a sample of 16 student accounts reviewed, families saw $6,536.65 in confirmed scholarship funds—a powerful indicator of the impact this program can provide.
Through consistent outreach, education, and guidance, AVPH continues to make CalKIDS more accessible to local families—helping plant seeds that support brighter futures for students across the Antelope Valley.
Meet AVPH’s CalKIDS Team!
Los Angeles Family Housing (LAFH) – Compassion in Full Clover!
AVPH continues to collaborate closely with Los Angeles Family Housing (LAFH) to support individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the Antelope Valley. Through this partnership, our nurse and the LAFH Outreach Team consistently assist approximately 30 homeless clients each month, ensuring they receive essential support and care.
Our nurse, Joyce Cortes, has played a vital role in this effort. To date, Joyce has helped over 400 individuals access medical care, providing compassionate support to those who often face significant barriers to healthcare.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Joyce for her dedication and hard work. Her ongoing commitment continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many!
Youth Department – Our Pot of Gold? Youth Success!
Together Over Fentanyl Project
The Together Over Fentanyl team celebrated an exciting milestone with the successful completion of its film project on February 22, 2026.
This achievement marks a major step forward in the team’s mission to empower youth with knowledge, awareness, and tools to stay safe in the midst of the growing fentanyl crisis. The filming process brought together passionate young participants, dedicated staff, and community partners—all united around prevention, education, and saving lives.
In even more uplifting news, on March 28, the project was officially accepted into Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), where it earned an impressive 5th-place ranking out of 30 teams that presented! This accomplishment reflects the team’s hard work, creativity, and commitment to empowering youth while raising awareness around fentanyl prevention.
AVPH will now have the opportunity to lead a workshop at the organization’s upcoming conference, expanding the reach of the project and engaging youth leaders from across the region. This recognition highlights the team’s ongoing commitment to elevating youth voices, strengthening prevention efforts, and creating meaningful change within our community.
Students from Palmdale High School
Student actors filming Together Over Fentanyl Project
Safe Routes to School
AVPH’s Safe Routes to School continued making meaningful strides in traffic safety education this month, attending five school‑based events across Lancaster and engaging directly with students, families, and school staff. On March 5th, the team delivered an engaging presentation at Valley View Elementary, where students and families learned key strategies for staying safe during their daily commutes.
The program also supported hands‑on learning through a Bike Rodeo held on March 19th during the LACO Screening event at Sierra Elementary School. Students had the opportunity to practice real‑world biking skills, learn helmet safety, and explore safe riding techniques in a fun and interactive setting.
In addition to these in‑person efforts, Safe Routes to School hosted a series of educational presentations throughout the month. With new webinars now in development, the program is expanding its reach even further, bringing critical safety education to more classrooms, campuses, and households across the community.
Suicide Prevention – From Pain to Purpose
AVPH’s Suicide Prevention team proudly launched its first workshop with Wilsona School District parents, marking an exciting milestone in our efforts to deepen family and community engagement. The session provided parents with tools to recognize early warning signs, build supportive communication at home, and connect with available resources.
In addition, our partnership with Amargosa Creek Middle School is underway! The team is currently developing new student support groups aimed at fostering emotional resilience and creating safe spaces for youth to share their experiences. Upcoming lunchtime tabling events will also help increase awareness, reduce stigma, and give students easier access to information about mental health and crisis support.
Together, these initiatives highlight the power of connection, education, and early intervention. By working hand‑in‑hand with schools and families, AVPH remains committed to transforming pain into purpose—and ensuring every young person in our community feels seen, supported, and valued.
Honoring the Impact of Home Visiting – Where Lucky Beginnings Take Root!
Healthy Families America (HFA) remains one of the nation’s leading family‑support and evidence‑based home visiting programs, providing parents with guidance, resources, and encouragement during the earliest years of their child’s life. At AVPH, the program continues to nurture strong parent‑child relationships and support families as they grow.
This season, HFA families have been actively engaged in parent groups at Imagine City, creating space for connection, learning, and shared experiences. These gatherings offer families the opportunity to strengthen skills, build community, and explore new ways to support their children’s development.
Looking ahead, the program is preparing for an upcoming graduation ceremony, where 10 families will be celebrated this spring, with additional families set to graduate in the fall. These milestones recognize the dedication of families who have participated in the program and the meaningful progress achieved through consistent home visiting support.
HFA continues to create lasting impact by empowering families, building confidence, and fostering foundations for lifelong well‑being.
AVPH 2025 Holiday Toy Drive Highlights
Holiday Cheer Delivered at AVPH Annual Toy Shop of 2025A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community and Partners! Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH) recently concluded its annual AVPH Holiday Toy Shop, and the outcome was truly remarkable. Through the tremendous...
A Heartfelt Thank You from the Torres Family
We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hilda T. and her family for sharing their experience with our Handyworker Program. Hilda and her husband, who lives in Lancaster, recently received home repairs from our team. They were especially grateful for the...
A Quarter of Impact and Community Connection
CPHT Brings Summer Fun to Friendly Village On Saturday, August 23, our Community Public Health Team (CPHT) partnered with The Caritas Corporation to host the first-ever Clubhouse Summer Splash at Friendly Village Mobile Home Park. This vibrant health and wellness...