Health Fair Provides Free Examinations for the Homeless

Hundreds of people strolled through the streets of skid row Tuesday to participate in a health fair designed to educate homeless people about the availability of benefits and services.

As a gospel choir sang in a tiny park notorious for drug dealing, people lined up for cancer screenings, AIDS/HIV tests and other examinations at the Third Annual Skid Row Health Fair sponsored by the Weingart Center.

“It’s very rewarding to see these people, who have nowhere to go, get information and advice about health services,” said Craig Kelly, project coordinator of the South-Central Health and Rehabilitation Program, which offers support services for mentally ill and homeless substance abusers.

Assisting Kelly at the booth on 5th Street was one of his employees, Ronald Antwine, an ex-convict.

“A lot of people know me and see how my life has changed,” Antwine said. “They see me giving something back to the community, and I think it gives them some strength that they can be a productive member of society, too.”