The flu season is underway approximately one month earlier than normal, and Texas hospitals are operating at maximum capacity – including children’s hospitals, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Thankfully, 160 children and adults in Bachman are now better protected. They received their free flu shot as part of the most recent collaboration between Parkland Health and the Buckner Family Hope Center™ at Bachman Lake.

Located in the shadow of Dallas Love Field Airport, the Bachman Lake community in West Dallas is one of North Texas’s most underserved areas. That is the very reason Buckner built a Family Hope Center and why Parkland recently extended its service area.

“The community outreach team at Parkland contacted us earlier this year because they planned to add our zip code to their service area,” said Katrina Beavers-Gutierrez, the director of the Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake. “Doing so allowed them to participate in our March health fair too.”

Parkland was one of multiple exhibitors at the health fair, which provided local families with access to fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, health and wellness advice, and information about the local resources available to them.

The collaboration between Buckner and Parkland grew throughout the year, as Parkland brought its mammography mobile clinic and other services such as glucose, HIV and blood pressure checks, along with financial assistance information to Family Hope Center families in June.

"Parkland's partnership with the Family Hope Center goes beyond our flu drives and community events,” said Angela Morris, senior director of community relations at Parkland Health. “We are partners to our community and strive to help families overcome barriers that prevent access to care and health resources.”

“The expertise and resources provided by Parkland have allowed us to engage even more members of the Bachman community,” said Beavers-Gutierrez. “We are excited to continue this collaboration with Parkland to better serve children and families in Bachman in 2023 and beyond.”

November’s flu clinic drew a mix of new and current clients to the Family Hope Center. Dallas radio station Qué Buena 94.1 FM helped promote the clinic ahead of time, while Buckner staff reached out to local churches and schools.

And while a few children cried at the sight of a needle, every parent was able to leave the clinic with peace of mind about this year’s flu season.

Learn more about supporting vulnerable families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this winter.