Educating For A Healthy Community
Anya Cawthon
Published: July 2, 2013
Twice a year, the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation hosts a health fair on the corner of 79th Street. Our goal is to expose Auburn Gresham residents and business owners to the many services that are available to them within their own community as well as over the city of Chicago.
PMA's students participating in the Zumba fitness exercise that was instructed by E'A Williams, Wellness and fitness consultant at Tri Wellness.
79th Street was lined with health care providers who provided important information to attendees on how they could get low-cost and sometimes free health care within their own areas. The health fair is part of the Elev8 initiative at Perspectives Middle Academy (PMA). Elev8 is designed to ensure that middle school students are successful in school and their community. Elev8 provides the students with multiple support including the comprehensive on-site school-based health services. These services include dental as well as vision.
Chef Juba Williams demostrating how to make fresh homemade salsa.
This season’s health fair was sponsored by CVS/Caremark. There were more than 250 residents and business owners attending the health fair featuring over 28 health providers. One of the many ways Elev8 provides health resources to the community is by including a high tech health center operated by Access Community Health. Another major provider is Colgate Dental Services who provided free examines for children of all ages.
PMA sixth grade class came out specifically to learn about the resources that are provided to their community. These students had the opportunity to speak with many of the providers. They also participated in the Zumba fitness exercise.
Children Literacy Initiative (CLI) read books to the smaller children that participated in the fair. Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation is partnering with CLI as part of the Auburn Gresham's Gold Community-Driven Education Plan. CLI is a non-profit organization that helps teachers to instruct students to enhance their literature and writing skills.
Mary List reading to Lots of Love Daycare.
As the Health Fair concluded, many of the health providers indicated they would like to support or participate in other GAGDC events (The Fall Health Fair on the block and the annual Auburn Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival). We look forward to doing it all over again in the fall. Until then, we continue to promote health and wellness to our community.
Posted in Community Highlights, Newsletter