Los Angeles – The Fall into Wellness Family Health Fair, aiming to address economic, health, and social disparities in the Watts community of Los Angeles, will take place Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PST, at the Macedonia Baptist Church, 1751 E. 114th Street, in Los Angeles.
The Family Health Fair welcomes the public and will provide free immunizations, health screenings, and a festive family atmosphere with food, music, and booths staffed by the community and hospital volunteers featuring everything from art and educational activities for kids to first aid training and job opportunities for adults.
The event is being hosted by Macedonia Baptist Church and the Macedonia Community Development Corporation, Charles Drew University, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Community speakers and special guests will address the fairgoers at 11 am.
“The Watts community, as with other unserved communities across the nation, are often overlooked and neglected when it comes to health disparities,” says Rev. Dr. Shane B. Scott, the Pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church and Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of the Macedonia Community Development Corporation. “We need pointed partnerships that seek to speak to the entire person. That’s what we are seeking to do with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.”
“With our partnership with Macedonia Baptist Church, the Macedonia Community Development Corporation, and Charles Drew University, CHLA is building a long-term collaboration with pillar organizations in the community,” says CHLA Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Lara Khouri. “Our goal is to improve the health of our most vulnerable populations because we know that healthier families are the center of strong communities.”
CHLA has a longstanding relationship with families in South Los Angeles. Over the past three years, the hospital has seen more than 61,000 unique patients and managed more than 243,000 patient visits from the community. CHLA strives to make the hospital a safe and happy environment while our young patients are on their way to good health, and the Family Health Fair will reflect this commitment by bringing activities in the hospital to families attending the event.
“We’ll have music, and art therapy projects for kids, dog therapy demonstrations, and first aid training; the fair is an opportunity for us to share our health knowledge, provide health screenings and immunizations, and bring together local partners as a one-stop shop for local families, and it’s all in a fun and engaging atmosphere,” says Dr. Jennifer Baird, one of the fair’s organizers and a nursing director and scientist at CHLA. “This collaboration between CHLA and the Macedonia community partners has been built to address health, economic, and social disparities with the goal of extending the life expectancy of the people in Watts and surrounding communities.”
What: The Fall into Wellness Family Health Fair
Where: Macedonia Baptist Church, 1751 E. 114th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059
When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 am to 2 pm
Free medical services are provided on-site day-of for children and adults. CHLA is partnering with Charles Drew University and its nursing students to support activities at the health education and health screening booths.
· Blood glucose and vital signs: Check your blood glucose level and vital signs
· Health education regarding CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) usage for sudden cardiac arrest
· Health education for infection prevention
· First aid and wound care: Learn CPR and how to care for minor wounds
· Literally Healing library activities
· Child Life: Enjoy Music and Art Therapy activities
· Ergonomics
· Dog therapy: Visit with therapy dogs
· Physical therapy/Ergonomics
· Vaccinations: Flu shots and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters available
· Camp CHLA information
· Raffle Prizes, Food, music, and more!
Community organizations:
· Library services Pick up a free library card and stop by the L.A. County Library’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) van to learn about computer coding, robotics, 3D printing, and more.
· Watts Rising
· Watts Neighborhood Council,
· Habit for Humanity, and
· LA South Chamber of Commerce
· Local fire department
· The local library with services, including cards and their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) van.
· Voter Registration
About Reverend Dr. Shane B. Scott and Macedonia Baptist Church
The Macedonia Baptist Church is a 112-year-old landmark in Los Angeles where Reverend Dr. Shane B.Scott is senior pastor. Reverend Dr. Scott has been serving the Watts community since he arrived in Los in 2011 from Fresno, California. Under his leadership, the church is a strong voice for the advancement of social justice in transforming the quality of life for the community.
For more information, visit www.macedonia-la-org
