Harlem Dowling Youth Empowerment Health Fair

Helping Kids and Parents Make Healthy & Safe Life Choices

By Keith Forest

On Saturday, June 4, Harlem Dowling West-Side Center for Children and Family Service partnered with Abyssinian Baptist Church ; National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; Renaissance Health Care Network and Uptown Health Link for its annual Youth Empowerment Health Fair. The outdoor extravaganza provided an opportunity for youth and their parents to tap into the numerous health resources available in the community.

St. Luke Hospital Comprehensive Care team left to right – Wendy Eng; Twumasi Nsiah; Anna LeMon; Julio Suarez and John Oliver

Kids of all ages enjoyed the physical activities such as the bouncing inflatable house.

In addition to the numerous health screenings and clinical tests, attendees spent the day engaged in a variety of activities including face painting, balloon sculpting and numerous healthy food demonstrations.

Aspiring pop-star Lindsey took time out to take pictures with her adoring fans

Toejo Henderson and Gordon “G-Wiz” Malone of the Harlem Wizards hosted a basketball clinic and Harlem-based rising pop sensation Lindsey and others performed.   Friday, June 25, Harlem Dowling will salute National HIV Testing Day. In an effort to encourage citizens of the village of Harlem to empower themselves by knowing their status, the agency along with partnering community based organizations will ascend on Jackie Robinson Park at 145^th Street between Edgecombe and Bradhurst  Avenues to provide free HIV testing and counseling.

Kids were also treated to free face painting, giveaways and other treats.

“HIV continues to be one of the fastest growing causes of death in Harlem ,” stated Harlem Dowling’s Specialized Services Director Cherie Blae.  “Getting tested and knowing your status is empowering.”

Article originally posted on the Harlem World Blog on June 7, 2010