Ariana Bejarano has a message for residents of Rio Vista and surrounding areas who may be feeling extra stressed by the coronavirus, sheltering in place and/or an uncertain economic future.
“No one should have to go through this alone,” Bejarano says. “All you have to do is pick up the phone.”
And call (707) 374-5243.
That’s the number for Rio Vista CARE, where Bejarano has been executive director for almost eight years. It’s the Delta’s only low-cost counseling and family resource center, providing one-on-one therapy, support groups, grief intervention, the PALS student mentoring program and help with everything from improving parenting skills and applying for unemployment to dealing with substance abuse and treating depression.
And its services are available to all residents of Rio Vista, Isleton, Walnut Grove, Birds Landing and Collinsville, regardless of ability to pay.
“Anyone in the community can call,” Bejarano says. “We work on a sliding fee scale and can help people find out if they qualify for one of our county or state programs” that help financially.
Business isn’t quite “as usual” at Rio Vista CARE in the time of COVID-19. PALS is on hiatus and most therapy is being conducted online by staff therapists who are working from home, Bejarano says. For the few clients who are still seen in the office at 628 Montezuma St., she says, “we follow the CDC guidelines” regarding the use of face masks, latex gloves, handwashing and social distancing. Office visits are currently limited and by appointment only.
The center is starting to see a spike in calls from people seeking help.
“It has dawned on parents now how difficult it is to have kids at home and be working from home, juggling everything,” Bejarano says. “And there are families where one or both parents have reduced hours or there are layoffs. That causes anxiety about financial status.”
Rio Vista CARE – which stands for Caring Actions Reaching Everyone – may be able to help in that area, too.
“We have programs to help with paying for food, utilities and rent” for those who qualify, says Bejarano, who is in the process of applying for additional funding to help with the increased need for services. Above all, she wants people to know that help is available.
“If people are suffering from anxiety or depression or economic stress, their first call should be to Rio Vista CARE,” she says. “We will follow up with many other resources.
Call Rio Vista CARE at (707) 374-5243
