HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12092008 - PR.2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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FROM: William B. Walker, M.D., /K '
Health Services Director osta
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DATE: December 9, 2008 SrA�oUK County
SUBJECT: Recognition of Guillermo Muniz
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
ADOPT Resolution No. _to recognize Mr. Guillermo Muniz for his outstanding leadership,
generosity and dedication to the needs of the Latino Community and the East County Adult Mental
Health Clinic. As a community leader, he has consistently provided support to individuals suffering
from mental illness and has been invested in improving the quality of their lives.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Over 12 years ago, East County Adult Mental Health, located in Pittsburg, began exploring ways to
help stabilize Latino mental health consumers in the community and to improve their quality of life.
The staff found that, in order to help support the treatment provided by the psychiatrists and
mental health clinicians, families needed to be more involved in the recovery process and needed
to be educated about mental health issues. It was clear that language and cultural barriers
needed to be addressed.
Latino families who had a loved one receiving mental health treatment were invited to attend a
monthly meeting at the clinic to discuss issues and concerns. Psychiatrists and guest speakers
came to discuss topics such as medications, side effects, healthy lifestyles, etc. At first, the
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: XX YES SIGNA RE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
1
SIGNA URE(S): r�
ACTION F BOARD ON APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED V OT R
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
V UNANIMOUS(ABSENT AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
AYES: NOES: SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED
CONTACT: Donna Wigand,957-5111 DAVID TWA,CLERK OF THE
Dorothy Sansoe,335-1009 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR
CC: County Administrator
Health Services—Mental Health
BY '
Board Order
Page 2
Recognition of Guillermo Muniz
County provided refreshments for these meetings. As costs increased, this was no longer
financially feasible. To continue the tradition of providing culturally appropriate food for the families
who attended the meetings, the Mental Health staff began buying and preparing food they bought
themselves. (Gathering around food has always been a good way to bring people together and to
encourage participation).
Mr. Guillermo Muniz, owner of the well-known New Mecca Mexican Restaurant in Pittsburg, had a
loved one who was receiving'services and was attending these meetings. He began
supplementing the food supplied by the Mental Health staff with food from his restaurant (burritos,
beans, rice, chips, salsa, etc.). Over years, the number of family members attending the meetings
continued to grow. (A few years ago, the Latino families organized and became a fully recognized
chapter of NAMI.)
Mr. Muniz has consistently provided food from his restaurant for every family meeting for the last
12 years. He has provided education to the Latino families on cooking and preparing healthy food
and has been an,active leader and member of the group. He has made it clear to his staff at New
Mecca that the Latino family meeting is on the last Friday of every month and he wants food
prepared and delivered on time. "Don't wait for me to tell you, just prepare the food." He has also
supported numerous fundraising events and activities for the mental health community by
providing food from his restaurant. Despite the struggling economy, Mr. Muniz has never wavered
in his support and generosity.