Aryana Noroozi

At the Moreno Valley Senior Center in Riverside county, California, up to 250 seniors are served on any given day. The food is just one draw. Seniors attend the lunch program for regular companionship, which helps to stave off loneliness and a sense of social isolation.

Marjorie Lauderdale, an 80-year-old caregiver in Palm Springs, faces a daunting task caring for her 77-year-old wife, Deidre, who suffered multiple strokes. The Inland Empire region, facing a growing aging population, is working to address the needs of seniors, including transportation and caregiving support.

The Inland Empire region of Southern California is experiencing record-breaking heat, which is particularly dangerous for the homeless population. The heat can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, which can lead to hospitalization or even death.

After losing his wife and children, Ron Clayton, a Fontana native, faces health challenges, which lead him to homelessness. His story highlights the link between health and homelessness, and the need for better access to healthcare for those experiencing homelessness.

Kristen Malaby, a former warehouse worker, has become a key figure in San Bernardino's homeless community, leading clean-ups and advocating for access to healthcare. As a team member of Healthcare in Action, a street medicine team serving more than 400 unhoused individuals, she has helped provide wraparound services and addressing the health challenges faced by this vulnerable population.

Richard Jerimiah Giles III and Bennie Burrell navigate the complexities of re-entry after more than two decades in prison.

Arturo is one of many formerly incarcerated individuals who navigate mental healthcare in and out of prison.

Arrests and court hearings are also facets of the criminal justice system that can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health.