Salute to Student Health: gala highlights
Patricia Anton, Maryjane Puffer, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, and Brandon Burriss
On September 28 more than 200 healthcare providers, educators and civic leaders gathered at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles for The L.A. Trust’s third annual Salute to Student Health. The gala raised awareness and funds for student health and honored Patricia Anton with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both were honored for their leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of our students and communities.
Brandon Burriss, board president of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, noted that “Contributions are indispensable as we continue to empower peer-to-peer mentoring, a model that research has shown to be highly effective.” Burriss said, “Our mission is clear: we aim to reach every student, to empower them with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.” He then thanked all our evening sponsors and introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.
“As I reflect on this past year and the challenges we faced together, it's clear that amidst the difficulties, we also created countless memorable and uplifting moments,” said Puffer. “Like helping students to advocate for hydration stations at Washington Prep High School. The L.A. Trust was also proud to be a part of the coalition that successfully called for district-wide access to Narcan in LAUSD, allowing students to freely carry Narcan on campus,” she said.
Puffer acknowledged our research partners and the staff at the Federally Qualified Health Centers who provide crucial care to students through the Wellness Centers. “In 2023, our mission remains strong: enhancing health access, equity, and awareness for our students. Together, we've achieved extraordinary milestones this year, and we're excited to continue building on our partnerships and investments with all of you,” she said.
Impactful Journey with The L.A. Trust
Student speaker Jack Rojas
The night's featured guest speaker, Jack Rojas, an undergraduate at East L.A. College and a former member of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board at Garfield High School, shared his personal journey with The L.A. Trust. He spoke about how his involvement with the Student Advisory Board helped him develop crucial skills and empowered him to speak out about the dangers of substances like fentanyl. His story exemplified the positive impact that peer-to-peer training and mentorship can have on students. "Through the training and practice with The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Board, I had the tools and confidence to share my perspective and the facts on the dangers of fentanyl," said Rojas.
A Champion for Change
John Edelston, a board member of The L.A. Trust, had the honor of introducing the Champion Honoree Patricia Anton. Edelston stated, "The L.A. Trust Champion Award honors an individual whose courage and work exemplify an unwavering commitment and service to the health and lives of our students and communities. It’s difficult to imagine a more perfect example of this than Patty. She unreservedly and continually works to strengthen and enhance the Data xChange, matching its growth to our ever-shifting environment, and devising solutions when we hit the inevitable roadblocks."
Patricia Anton delivered an emotionally touching acceptance speech, sharing her mother's battles with mental health and the effects of this on her family as a way of illustrating the urgency of supporting students with ACEs, an acronym for “adverse childhood experiences.” While she had supportive "angels" in her life—her brother and friends—Patty expressed concern for children in the most underserved areas that The L.A. Trust serves, stating, "We cannot rely on just another person to help them; we need a system of support to assist these children." She stressed the importance of finding ways to support young people with ACEs, emphasizing that her best contribution was to demonstrate unequivocally the significant impact of School-Based Health Centers on children's lives.
Dr. Lauren McNally, with the help of her son, introduced The L.A. Trust Visionary Honoree, Assemblymember Reggie Jones Sawyer. The assemblymember spoke about his work on AB 912—The Strategic Anti-Violence Funding Efforts (SAFE) Act. The groundbreaking legislation aimed to redirect $235 million in annual savings from the closure of two state prisons towards violence prevention and community support, including school-based health centers.
Fun during the dollar dash game.
The evening also featured engaging activities like the dollar dash game and a live auction, all contributing to the cause of student health. The fund-a-need pledges further reinforced the commitment of attendees to The L.A. Trust's programs.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of student healthcare and the incredible impact that can be made when individuals and communities come together to support this vital cause. The L.A. Trust is deeply grateful to all who attended and contributed, as it is their collective effort that helps make a difference in the lives of students and communities. The evening was a testament to the power of collective action and the positive change it can bring.