“We have come together to honor the real heroes in our community; not those who call themselves public servants even as they forget the poor, needy and vulnerable among us but the men and women who each day truly serve the public in neighborhood health centers like this one,” said Roberto Juarez, CEO of CLINICAS DEL CAMINO REAL INC.

The event began with the rhythm of drums and other percussion instruments played by vigil participants gathered in three concentric circles in a scene reminiscent of a Native American ceremony. Dozens of men, women and children played a variety of instruments as they were directed in a steadily increasing synchronicity.

“This is about empowering the community in the face of incredible odds against them and guiding them with every beat into absorbing the strength of one another and acting as one,” said John Lacques, educator and founder of Drumtime, a Ventura-based power-through-percussion organization.

The event marked the countdown to budget cuts scheduled to go into effect July 1st significantly reducing or eliminating vital Medi-Cal services for more than 3-million people.  The State of California calls the services “optional” causing some health centers to lose as much as an 84% of their funds.