On April 30thEsperanza hosted a community Health Fair at Esperanza College.
Nearly thirty vendors from across the city attended, providing valuable resources, education, and services. The vendors represented health services providers, including Esperanza Health Center, Mi Salud Wellness Center, and Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha, who all serve the Hunting Park and Feltonville neighborhoods in Eastern North Philadelphia.
There were larger providers present, including representatives from the University of Pennsylvania Medicine’s dental school, the Fox Chase Cancer Center, and Thomas Jefferson University. The City of Philadelphia was well-represented, including multiple vendors from the Department of Public Health and the Philadelphia Water Department.
Finally, there were some amazing community programs and groups present, from We Walk PHL, to CRiSOL Mente, to the Hope Digital Skills program. It was an inspiring group of vendors who together address many different health needs.
Attendees were able to visit each table, engage with the vendors, pick up resources and do some fun activities. The event organizers brought in instructors to facilitate Zumba classes and yoga classes. Chef Dennis Ortiz shows attendees how to “cook with love” while also eat healthy with his cooking demonstrations.
Esperanza College students showed attendees how to use virtual reality technology, and Gail Acosta from the Esperanza Cyber School facilitated CPR workshops. Finally, Miram Medical Centers performed health screenings assisted by Esperanza College’s medical assisting students and faculty. I had my blood glucose and blood pressure checked!
Around 75 students, residents, Esperanza staff and others attended the event. Students from Esperanza College’s Champions of Hope initiative hosted their own table, providing materials, education and healthy snacks made by the students. Maria Geno, a Champion of Hope, said, “Being [at the table] was a beautiful experience. A woman came up to me and told me she could see how passionate I am about helping others. Moments like that remind me why I pour my heart into serving my community”.
Dr. Nilsa Graciani, who helped organize the event, told me, “As Latinos we need to pay more attention to our health and educate ourselves on how to prevent chronic disease. We are very appreciative of the support from Cities for Better Health, Philadelphia, which has made our Champions of Hope: Latinos Preventing Diabetes program and this event possible for the last five years”.
This event has grown every year, and Esperanza is committed to helping promote opportunities for better health for the community, including lifting and connecting others who are working in this much needed area.
