Over 1,000 New Yorkers Benefit from Health Fair Back-to-School Event

Over 1,000 New Yorkers Benefit from Health Fair

On Saturday, August 29, Public Health Solutions (PHS) partnered with ModifyHealth to conduct a successful back-to-school health and wellness fair. The event took place at Church of the Intercession in Harlem/Washington Heights, with over 1,000 attendees.

The fair offered various free services aimed at aiding vulnerable families. These services included health screenings, housing assistance, nutrition guidance, cooking demonstrations, free backpacks, essential school supplies for children, and children's activities. Families also had the opportunity to participate in a raffle and receive on-site help for applying for benefits such as WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid. The event featured more than a dozen organizations, including Anthem, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, and Hunger Free America, which provided a plethora of resources in one accessible location.

A significant objective of this event was to connect families to WholeYouNYC, PHS’ social care network. This network links eligible Medicaid members in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens to critical resources like food assistance, rent, and utility support, among others.

Representatives from local government, including U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat and NYC Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, attended the fair. They expressed their commitment to supporting local families and praised the collaborative efforts of PHS and ModifyHealth. Abreu noted, “Events like this strengthen our community, and having partners doing such important work enables us to reach more families.”

Zach Hennessey, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of WholeYouNYC, emphasized the impact of community organizations working together. He stated, “Families left with more than backpacks; they connected to resources like food assistance and health coverage support. This whole-person support is exactly what WholeYouNYC aims to provide.”

The importance of such an initiative cannot be stressed enough, especially considering the ongoing challenges families face during the back-to-school season. Jen Lane, Senior Vice President of Healthcare Partnerships at ModifyHealth, remarked, “We wanted to meet families where they are with real support. This event illustrated the need for combined health screenings along with essential school items.”

Public Health Solutions is dedicated to addressing health disparities in New York City, particularly among underserved populations. They aim to enhance health outcomes and foster thriving communities by offering direct services and collaborating with community-based organizations.

Meanwhile, ModifyHealth is transforming lives through its food-as-medicine approach, providing programs that integrate tailored meals with dietitian support for better health. The partnership with PHS is a connection to their goal of offering comprehensive care to families in need.

As families embark on a new school year, initiatives like these provide vital support, ensuring children have the resources they need to succeed, while promoting health and community well-being.

In conclusion, the back-to-school fair not only distributed necessary supplies but also bridged families to essential health resources — a crucial step toward fostering a healthier future for New York City's neighborhoods.