Bay Area

WOMEN IMPACTING THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

Published

2 months ago

June 7, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Talia Benet is senior pastor of Taylor Chapel CME Church in Vallejo. Courtesy photo.

Pastor Talia Benet: An Advocate for Economic Development

The Pastor, Mother, Consultant, and Difference-Maker

By Antoinette Porter

Rev. Talia Benet has been making a difference in the African American Bay Area Community since 1984. For the past four years her impact has been felt as the executive director of the Health & Human Resource Education Center (HHREC) located in Oakland. HHREC was founded in 1984 and is funded by Alameda County Behavioral Health and the Mental Health Services Act. HHREC has six community-based programs that are rooted and centered in health and wellness. HHREC is committed to creating healthy communities by improving the overall health and quality of life of Bay Area residents. They focus on reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, as well as eliminating racism and violence of all kinds. HHREC acts as a fiscal agent for the Alameda County Office of Ethnic Services, The African American Health & Wellness Steering Committee, and the Alameda County Workforce Education and Training Program with Ohlone College. Rev. Talia Benet is also the owner of a consulting firm that offers fund development strategy and provides grant writing services.

Benet is the senior pastor of Taylor Chapel CME Church located in Vallejo. Taylor Chapel CME Church has served the Vallejo community for over 74 years. Pastor Talia credits her mentor, Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. for preparing her for such a time as this.

She is the proud daughter of retired attorney and Navy Vietnam veteran Mansour Salahudin. She is also the honored mother of Sparkle Hicks, currently attending Chico State. Pastor Talia is engaged to retired Air Force veteran Michael Solomon.

“As far as impact, my goal is to build up the younger generation, coming behind me. I often tell them my job is to pray for them and teach them how to “skip” to the bank! The CME church has a rich history, but the youth must have a role and should be taught the value of community. It’s all about mentorship! At Taylor Chapel CME Church our young adult ministry takes the lead.”

This is the impact this woman of God has on her church and the community.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

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July 26, 2024

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Op-Ed Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further. Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland. From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

Special to the Post

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.

Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.

From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.

Both East and West Oakland has disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.

Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.

Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring prescription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.

The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families – some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.

SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest-possible cost.

The bill would make it illegal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.

As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.

As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and co-pays.

From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.

By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.

We cannot afford SB 966.

Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.