LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Asia Institute and Louisville Pride Foundation partnered with Louisville Public Health and Wellness to co-host a vaccine clinic at the Crane House.
The two organizations invited the LGBTQ+ and Asian American Pacific Islander communities to receive a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
What You Need To Know
- Two groups are teaming up to get more people vaccinated who could otherwise be overlooked
- Louisville Public Health and Wellness provided the vaccines for the clinic
- Hosting the clinic is an effort to help the community return to normalcy
"We’re two organizations that represent underrepresented people and we figured it would be a good time to join forces to help mitigate this horrible virus that’s coming into our community,” said Asia Institute-Crane House Executive Director Joel Buno.
Both of the co-hosting executive directors believe getting vaccinated is the most important thing people can do to help put an end to the pandemic.
Art Institute is hopeful that with more people getting vaccinated, its in-person programs like art exhibits for local students, cooking classes and Mandarin classes can resume.
"I’ve been feeling kind of lonely at the Crane House during this pandemic with not many visitors, and today is just instant friend day, seeing the activity in the house, seeing the house being utilized for a great purpose,” said Buno.
2020 was a year like no other for Louisville Pride Foundation also.
Its annual pride festival that attracted 20,000 people to Bardstown Road in years past was canceled.
"The festival is really important because it’s a way for people to come together and celebrate also to learn about other LGBT businesses, service providers. We had a wellness zone to focus on health issues. It's also a chance to connect people to resources that they need,” said Louisville Pride Foundation Executive Director Mike Slaton.
While it’s still too early to say exactly when vendors will line Bardstown Road or guests can enjoy in-person cooking classes again, the light at the end of the tunnel is in the sight of both groups.
“We are going to do as much as we can. I don’t exactly what it will look like, and we may not know until we get very close to it. Our mission is to bring communities together through collaboration, empowerment and celebration, and I don’t know exactly how we’re going to do it but we’re going to do it,” said Slaton.
The groups said they are doing what they can to get more people vaccinated to reach heard immunity and get one step closer to normalcy.
"I’m looking forward to hearing the laughter and smiles of children within these walls, and I’m actually looking forward to hugging and sharing the joy of Asia with my fellow brothers and sisters,” said Buno.
The trio will team up for another vaccine clinic on June 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Crane House.