Press Releases
News from the District:
October 23, 2024
Contact: Mark Friedman, CEO
Email: mark@ethd.org
Cell Phone: 510 759-4191
Eden Health District Board Unanimously Approves $270,000 in Grants for Vital Community Health Services
At their monthly board meeting on Wednesday October 16th the Board of Directors of the Eden Health District unanimously approved grants to 14 essential community health agencies for a total of $270,000.
Chair Pam Russo said, “ Our board is proud to make grants to 14 wonderful agencies to address critical health needs in our community.”
The other 14 agencies receiving grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 are:
- Glad Tidings Community Development Corp.
- Eden United Church of Christ
- Spectrum Community Services
- San Leandro Boys and Girls Club
- SOS Meals on Wheels
- CALICO
- Teen Advocacy Going Strong – TAGS
- Crisis Support of Alameda County
- East Bay Agency for Children
- Love Never Fails
- San Lorenzo Family Help Center
- La Clinica de La Raza
- Eden Youth and Family
- Building Futures with Women and Children
Eden Health District Vice-Chair Ed Hernandez said, “We are excited by the wonderful programs touching every corner of the District that we are funding to provide mental health services, housing and homeless services, and food and nutrition. These community non-profit agencies are on the ground every day providing critical services to those most in need throughout our District.”
Eden Health District is a public health agency established in 1948 that serves the residents of Hayward, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, San Lorenzo, and Fairview. The District receives no tax revenue and sustains its community programs by the rents obtained from two medical office buildings in Castro Valley and Dublin that the District built and operates.
The District emails the free Stay Well Health Bulletin every Wednesday that compiles breaking news on Covid, Housing and Homelessness, the Opioid Crisis, Mental Health, Wellness, and other important health information. To subscribe go to https://ethd.org/stay-well/
August 24, 2023
Eden Health District Acknowledges National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Eden Health District Board member Mariellen Faria recently accepted a proclamation (see below) from the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD), on behalf of the children and families of our community, declaring September National Childhood Obesity Awareness month.
“Childhood obesity continues to be a significant health concern locally and nationally. Research has shown that access to physical activity is essential to improve health and wellness. The availability of public parks and recreation creates healthy communities,” Faria said when accepting the proclamation on August 22.
“HARD has and continues to make parks and recreation available throughout the district. The more accessible the parks are to the community, the more of an impact they make on the health and well-being of children. Eden Health District supports HARD’s efforts to curb childhood obesity by building more community parks and creating recreation opportunities for children and adults,” she added.
Eden Health District looks forward to continued collaboration with HARD to improve the health and wellness of all members of our community.

Proclamation
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
WHEREAS, September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, during the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among all age groups, increasing more than fourfold among children ages 6-11; and
WHEREAS, 31.8 percent or 23 million children and teenagers ages 2-19 are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic; and
WHEREAS, significant disparities exist among the obesity rates of children based on ethnicity and economic status; and
WHEREAS, the financial implications of childhood obesity pose a financial threat to our economy and healthcare system, carrying up to $14 billion per year in direct healthcare costs, with people in the United States spending about 9 percent of their total medical costs on obesity-related illnesses; and
WHEREAS, due in part to the childhood obesity epidemic, 1 in 3 children (and nearly 1 in 2 minority children) born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes at some point in their lifetime if current trends continue; and
WHEREAS, some consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity are psychosocial and can hinder academic and social functioning and persist into adulthood; and
WHEREAS, participating in physical activity is important for children and teens as it can have beneficial effects not only on body weight but also on blood pressure and bone strength; and
WHEREAS, proper nutrition is important for children before birth and through their lifespan as nutrition has beneficial effects on health and body weight, and is important in the prevention of chronic diseases; and
WHEREAS, public, community-based, and private sector organizations and individuals throughout the United States are working to decrease childhood obesity rates in the United States through a range of efforts including educational presentations, media campaigns, websites, policies, healthier food options, and greater opportunities for physical activity; and
WHEREAS, the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District is extremely proud of our parks and recreational facilities and programs and their contribution to building healthy active lifestyles to recreate, play and build self-esteem, confidence and sense of self-worth, which contributes to the quality of life in our community;
NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be proclaimed that the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Board of Directors does hereby declare the Month of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
January 7, 2022
Eden Health District Receives More Than $1.25M in Funding From State’s COVID Relief Fund
The Eden Health District has been awarded $1,250,663 from the California Special District Covid Relief Fund. The District plans to use the funds to continue critical pandemic related services in partnership with community and public agencies. The funds were made available from a $100 million allocation provided by the State Legislature and Governor Newsom in the 2021-2022 State Budget.
“We our very grateful for the receipt of this award. It will help us increase our pandemic related services to the most vulnerable in our community. Covid testing, vaccination, distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), and spreading reliable and vital information have been the pandemic priorities for our District and this award will allow us to sustain and expand our reach,” said Mark Friedman, Chief Executive Officer.
Eden Health District is committed to improving health outcomes for the community’s most vulnerable residents by working closely with community and public agencies through prevention, health education, and rapid response to emerging health issues.
This funding arrives after special districts across California experienced budget and staff cuts necessitated as a result of the COVID pandemic. Throughout 2020 and 2021, California’s special districts provided essential services to their local communities, maintained a large portion of the state’s critical infrastructure, and employed thousands of front-line workers, but initially received none of the COVID relief funding available to cities and counties.
“Special districts are addressing our biggest statewide challenges, all at the local level,” said Neil McCormick, CEO of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA). We applaud Governor Newsom and our Legislature for recognizing this and responding to our requests for partnership. Special districts make a difference throughout California and this funding will make a difference in the communities special districts serve.”
Statewide, more than 2,000 independent special districts across the state serve the needs of all 40 million Californians at some level, and more than 60 percent of these local agencies provide specialized services to a disadvantaged community.
About Eden Health District: The mission of the Eden Health District is to improve the health of the community we serve by providing access to direct and indirect care services and health education.
About CSDA: The California Special Districts Association is a 501c(6), not-for-profit association representing more than 2,000 independent special districts that provide water, sanitation, fire protection, park and recreation, healthcare, electricity, port and harbor, resource conservation, library, cemetery, and other specialized community services throughout California.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2021
Contact: Mark Friedman
Eden Health District
(510) 759-4191
Transparency Certificate of Excellence Awarded to Eden Health District
Castro Valley, CA — Eden Health District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance. “This award is a testament to Eden Health District’s commitment to open government,” said, Mark Friedman, CEO. “Our staff is to be commended for their contributions that empower the public with information and facilitate engagement and oversight.” To receive the award, the Eden Health District demonstrated the completion of essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner.
SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and other recognition programs.
Special districts are independent public agencies that deliver core local services to communities, such as water, wastewater treatment, fire protection, parks and recreation, healthcare, sanitation, mosquito abatement, ports, libraries, public cemeteries and more. Districts are established by voters to meet specific needs through focused service. They can be specially molded to serve large regions or small neighborhoods depending on the need.