Block Party & Health Fair
For the last 11 years, Berean Community and Family Life Center (BCFLC) and the Berean Baptist Church has hosted its annual “Takin’ It To The Streets” Block Party and Health Fair. At the annual Health Fair, BCLFC aims to bring people from the community together to raise awareness of health and wellness issues that disproportionately affect communities of color in a non-threatening and welcoming atmosphere. Over 4,000 members of the community have participated in Takin’ It To The Streets.On the main stage, presenters range from medical doctors to local musicians and poets to elected officials. Vendors align the streets with information on health insurance, healthy eating, dental care, educational opportunities for youth, while others offer samples of their homemade products.. While perusing the vendors, participants have the opportunity to be screened for various illness including high blood pressure, asthma, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and diabetes. Many people complete Health Risk Appraisals which help them to identify behaviors that can be changed to improve their quality of life.
Truly a family friendly event, children have the option of getting their faces painted, doing arts and crafts projects, enjoying amusement rides and participating in various other physical activities. With the donations from our community partners, we provide 250 free book bags with school supplies to children and youth who participate in the festivities.
The success of Takin’ It To The Streets is rooted in pulling volunteers together who are excited about serving the community. Members of Berean Baptist church, local chapters of sororities and a team of young people from Public Allies New York work together to ensure that everyone is learning and having fun as a community.
