What are you grateful for? In MCN’s Witness to Witness resource, How to Help Yourself in a Crisis Now, one of the recommendations is: “Start your day by writing down three things you are grateful for.” Finding gratitude – even small ‘glimmers’ like a cup of hot coffee just when you need it – can reduce stress and anxiety, and stabilize your mood. The season of gratitude – Thanksgiving, which we celebrate here in the US next week – can (ironically) bring stressors of its own. This week on Five on Friday, we’re peeling back the many layers of Thanksgiving to focus just on what the name implies: giving thanks. Here are five gratitudes, offered by MCN staff!

Grateful for our health care workers: Sonia wanted to give a shout out to the many incredible clinicians who were nominated in this year’s Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award! She especially wanted to give thanks to last year’s winner, Deysi Merino-Gonzalez, who was featured in this article from The San Diego Union Tribute, earlier this year. Stay tuned for announcements of this year’s winner! Health Care Worker at Vista Community Clinic Receives Health Justice Award

Grateful for our Farmworkers Coalition Group: Alma G. wanted to highlight this incredible group comprised of: Legal Aid Justice Center, Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), Campesinos sin fronteras, Mujeres divinas, The Farmworker Association of Florida, Cultivemos, and Farmworker Justice. “Together, we will continue working for immigrants and migrants in the fields,” Alma said. Here’s CIW’s classic video, part of their campaign to bring various retailers into their Fair Food Program. A Tale of Two Thanksgivings

Grateful for the hard work to improve health at the Ventanillas de Salud: Elizabeth said, "Roxana, Thank you so much for the work you do. If it weren't for the health fairs you do every month, the community would not receive the services or resources you offer.” She then told the story of a community member who, after more than 25 years, finally received a work permit, but needed vaccinations to continue the immigration process, and didn’t have health insurance. Elizabeth recommended the Ventanilla in Austin. There, her contact received those vaccines – free of charge. “This would have been very expensive for him, even though he has already spent and continues to spend so much with immigration lawyers... Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart." Read more about the VdS’s recent health fairs during Binational Health Week. 24th Annual Binational Health Week: Juntos por la prevención

Grateful for our SCAN Champions and Members: Elizabeth also sent gratitude to the incredible network of clinicians who volunteer their time to help children with specialty needs find charity care when they migrate to their communities. This incredible work saves lives. Learn more about Specialty Care Access Network (SCAN) and how to volunteer on our SCAN page. Specialty Care Access Network

Grateful for improved addiction care: For our Weekly Win, Gratitude Edition, Esther sent in this article from NPR highlighting better addiction health care and the widespread use of the opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone! “However, more emphasis needs to be placed on resources, funding, and health care programs in BIPOC communities.” MCN’s resource on naloxone, available in English and Spanish, is one place to start. 'Historic' Drop in US Overdose Deaths Accelerates as Fentanyl Crisis Eases

Have a safe and healthy weekend!