Local organization brings vaccines, job opportunities to Northside

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Organizers said they hoped to marque the COVID-19 vaccine much accessible to those without transportation

Quench the Violence, partnered with Agape Family Health, brought a COVID-19 vaccine session to the Northside connected Friday.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Quench the Violence and Agape Family Health teamed up connected Friday day to clasp an lawsuit with 2 purposes: Getting radical vaccinated and backmost to work.

The COVID-19 vaccine session was held astatine the Christian Fellowship Baptist Church connected Edgewood Ave. Robert Lecount, CEO of Quench the Violence, said helium chose the determination for convenience.

“We effort to bring it person to the assemblage wherever immoderate folks whitethorn person a deficiency of transportation,” Lecount said.

Carolyn Kirkland said seeing Agape Family Health’s autobus successful her vicinity reminded her that she was owed for her 2nd shot.

“I’m a aesculapian professional, if I don’t instrumentality it however bash I expect my patients and coworkers to? You person to pb by example,” Kirkland said.

Another idiosyncratic vaccinated astatine the session said his occupation astatine a ceremonial location convinced him to get the shot. Kevin Covert is an embalmer and said astir of the radical helium has worked connected precocious died of the coronavirus.

“It seems similar COVID doesn’t attraction astir property oregon health,” Covert said.

According to the Florida Department of Health, 2,345 radical person died from coronavirus implicit the past 7 days. News4Jax records amusement that is the astir deaths added successful a week-long play since the pandemic began.

Covert said his household has besides been affected by the virus.

“I’ve had rather a fewer household members walk distant from COVID and I cognize the accent and grief it causes families,” Covert said.

Several Jacksonville councilmembers stopped by the event. Councilman Reggie Gaffney handed retired Walmart acquisition cards to radical getting their vaccination astatine the clinic. City Council President Sam Newby was besides there, encouraging radical to get vaccinated up of Labor Day.

“We person to get much radical vaccinated, it’s our cardinal to getting connected the different broadside of this,” Newby said.

In summation to getting a dose of the vaccine, radical successful the assemblage could larn astir occupation opportunities done Quench the Violence’s Rework program.

“You’re trying to get them to halt selling drugs. Well they ask, ‘What tin I bash successful spot of that?’” Lecount said. “Well, present we person thing to connection them called Rework, alteration your mind, get a amended paying job.”