JCC partnered with ROOTS Community Health in their annual Neighborhood Empowerment Day (NED), a resource fair to "support the legacy of resilience that thrives within our 40x40 block communities in East Oakland." The Dental, Medical, and Public Health committees showed up to the event to help empower the local community with screenings (including vitals and vision) and educational activities (like bingo and health demonstrations) for students, educators, and parents.
A dental committee member demonstrating how to better use a toothbrush.
The Dental Committee utilized a dental teeth model to teach children the correct way to brush their teeth and prevent cavities. Alongside these demonstrations, the committee passed out essential dental hygiene products including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and more. Many members of the community came up to the table curious about the dental teeth model and were eager to learn more about dental health!
A medical committee member testing the blood pressure of a community member.
The Medical Committee provided vital health screenings, including blood pressure measurements. While taking blood pressure, they focused on two key numbers: the systolic pressure, which indicates how well the heart contracts to pump blood, and the diastolic pressure, which shows how well the heart relaxes between beats. Through these screenings, we helped individuals better understand their cardiovascular health and provided them with important information for maintaining overall well-being.
The Public Health Committee sparked young minds with a health bingo game during the Neighborhood Empowerment Event at Roots Clinic. Kids participated with great excitement and answered questions on basic health, such as dietary fiber. Their interest was contagious because not only were they celebrating each correct answer, but they also seemed interested in using their newly learned nutrition knowledge in everyday living.
Two young participants play Health Bingo to learn about nutrition.
For more information about Neighborhood Empowerment Day (NED), email programs@rootscommunityhealth.org.