Meet the Intern: Natalie Garcia

The COVID-19 Community Health Project (CCHP) 3.0 is focused on statewide outreach efforts to reach those who experience the greatest social and health inequities on the importance of getting vaccinated and practicing harm reduction to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Sacramento Steps Forward has contributed by serving as trusted messengers to support state emergency response efforts by providing in-language outreach and culturally relevant education with the goal of prioritizing the public health and safety of Californians.

We met with Natalie Garcia, our Community Engagement & Outreach Intern, to learn about her background, what drew her to this work, and what she looks forward to doing in this role.

What will you be doing at SSF?

As a community outreach and engagement intern, I will be helping spread the word and educating the Sacramento population about the COVID vaccine. At SSF, we are focusing on the homeless community and making sure they have the materials they need.

What motivated you to join SSF?

I wanted to join SSF because I wanted to apart of their mission to help the Sacramento community. There is a lot of people in need, I wanted to be apart of the mission and take action to help our community members.

What do you wish people knew about homelessness?

I wish people knew that even though someone is experiencing homelessness, it does not make them less of a person.

What are you excited to do next in your new role?

I am excited for my role as an intern at SSF because I always wanted to help the Sacramento community. With this role, I get to be hands on, I get to know the community more, and to help them with their needs.

Natalie is a graduating senior at Sacramento State where she is studying Communication Studies. During her free time, Natalie takes care of her three year old Border Collie rescue, Ozzy Pawsbourne. Our favorite things to do is take our walks and play fetch!

We look forward to seeing where Natalie will choose to go after she completes this internship and graduates.

Visit the CCHP page to see what she and her fellow interns have created for the Sacramento community.