Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, NYC Care, Bronxnet, and La Central YMCA Host Health Care Fair for Bronx Families Apr 3, 2023

Health Care Fair commemorates the start of National Minority Health Month and National Public Health Week

The free health care fare featured family-friendly activities, community resources and tabling from City agency and Community-based organizations in NYC to encourage Bronxites to start the spring off healthy!

NYC Care Director of Community Affairs Theresa Doherty encourages New Yorkers to enroll in NYC Care at the start of the health care fair.


New York, NY

Today, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, NYC Health + Hospital’s NYC Care program, BronxNet, and La Central YMCA hosted a health care fair for Bronx families at La Central YMCA. The event featured free access to YMCA gym facilities and classes, educational workshops on topics including nutrition, Diabetes prevention and smoking cessation, health screenings (Hepatitis B & C, blood pressure, Diabetes, HIV, and more), health care enrollment and support, blood donation, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and information on community and government resources. Additionally, PEU public health educators provided information about health plan options, the availability of enhanced financial assistance, how to enroll, and how to get free enrollment help through GetCoveredNYC. Interpretation services were provided by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs in Arabic, French, Igbo, Mixteca, Quechua/Kichwa, Spanish, Garifuna, and Wolof. The event is part of a broad, citywide outreach effort by GetCoveredNYC and NYC Care to enroll eligible New Yorkers in healthcare and healthcare access programs and encourage them to make a primary care appointment.

The program commenced with a speaking program featuring YMCA La Central Senior Director Nadia Arroyo, Public Engagement Unit GetCoveredNYC Specialists Orville Berry and Tania Navaras, NYC Care Director of Community Affairs Theresa Doherty, Sauti Yetu representative Tiguidanke Keita, BronxNet Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe, and American rapper Grandmaster Melle Mel. The program highlighted the importance of both wellness and health care options for the community, regardless of income or documentation status.

“At GetCoveredNYC, we conduct outreach and case management to connect underinsured communities to health care, in their neighborhoods and by speaking their languages. Our Specialists are building a world in which no New Yorker goes uncovered for lack of knowledge or understanding, and events like this one are key to this work,” said Alexander Medina, GetCoveredNYC Outreach Director at the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit. “We’re proud to put on this health care fair with NYC Care, YMCA La Central, BronxNet, our agency partners and more than 15 other agencies and community based organizations to bridge the gaps between New Yorkers, their government, and the healthy lives we all deserve.”

“The Health Care Fair today is another way to demonstrate our commitment to connecting all New Yorkers to high-quality health care. Our community partners from across the five boroughs are available to answer questions about NYC Care, which is available regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Thank you to the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, BronxNet, La Central YMCA, and city agency and community-based organization partners for ensuring our event was a success,” said Dr. Jonathan Jiménez, Executive Director of NYC Care from NYC Health + Hospitals.

The BronxNet partnership featured a pop-up station in the middle of the event feautring one-on-one with Dr. Bob Lee. Lee currently hosts the weekly live television program “Open,” which broadcasts on BronxNet TV, the multimedia public service network. The program features news and topics affecting the Bronx community and also treats viewers to new and established musical guests. In addition to his on-air roles, Lee also is the Community Affairs Director for WBLS.

BronxNet provided the community with interactive VR fitness experiences at the Health Care Fair, with Creatives Rebuild NY immersive media artist Will Robert. Will reached media arts classes and produces interactive content at BronxNet. BronxNet provided the community with interactive VR fitness experiences at the Health Care Fair, with Creatives Rebuild NY immersive media artist Will Robert. Will teaches media arts classes and produces interactive content at BronxNet.

BronxNet also set up a multimedia mobile studio for the community to host segments and participate in media making.

In response to the citywide blood emergency, the NY Blood Center hosted a blood drive through their mobile unit. This month, there is a $250 sweepstakes for anyone who gives blood with the NY Blood Center, and all participants at the event were entered to win.

A number of free health services and screenings were also offered on-site to attendees. COVID-19 Testing was offered via the Health + Hospitals Test & Treat mobile unit and MetroPlus was on-site with giveaways, face painting, and balloon animals. COVID-19, Flu, and Shingles Vaccines were offered by Felicity Pharmacy. NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln offered free blood pressure screenings and other health screening resources, and African Services Committee offered HIV and Hepatitis B and C testing.

Event partners include:

  • Acacia Network
  • African Services Committee
  • Arab-American Family Support Services (AAFSC)
  • Be the Match
  • Bridge Builders
  • Bronx Documentary Center
  • Bronx Works
  • BronxNet
  • CornellUniversity Cooperative Extension-N.Y.C-EFNEP
  • Destination Tomorrow
  • H+H: Test & Treat Corps
  • Hispanic Federation
  • Korean Community Services (KCS) – Public Health and Research Center (PHRC)
  • MetroPlus
  • NY Blood Center
  • NY Psychotherapy & Counseling Center
  • NYC Care
  • NYC DOHMH- Environmental Health/Poison Center
  • NYC DOHMH: Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
  • NYC DOHMH: Maternal, Infant & Reproductive Health
  • NYC DOHMH: Morrisania Community Health Center/Bronx Neighborhood Network
  • NYC DOHMH: Office of Health Insurance Services
  • NYC Department of Aging
  • NYC Department of Veteran Services (DVS)
  • NYC Department of Workers (DWCP)
  • NYC Department of HRA-Office of City Health Insurance Access (OCHIA)
  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
  • NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)
  • NYC Small Business Services
  • NYS of Health Marketplace
  • Office of State Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
  • Planned Parenthood
  • Red de Pueblos
  • Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families

“As we start this year’s National Minority Health Month, I am grateful to the NYC Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and its partners for hosting this health care fair and connecting my neighbors to a variety of physical health screenings and other educational and government resources,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “Ensuring Bronxites, who are primarily people of color, have access to quality healthcare providers is pivotal to the future of the Bronx communities we serve and to combat health disparities across our State.”

“The La Central Y offers programming and services for all ages, from early childhood and school-age to teens, young adults, adults, and seniors of the South Bronx community,” said Nadia Arroyo, Senior Program Director at La Central YMCA. “We are proud to play a role in the growth of the South Bronx and provide a safe, welcoming hub for the community to gather, grow, and strengthen their health.”

“We are honored to partner with the Mayor”s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) on this Saturday’s Health Care Fair at The YMCA at La Central. Promoting health awareness is a high priority for BronxNet. PEU and all the dedicated partners have developed some inspiring activities for improving health outcomes in our borough and we are happy to share it all with you on BronxNet TV from the Bronx to the World,” said BronxNet Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe.

“The NYC Health Department is dedicated to increasing access to healthcare and social services with a strong focus on improving health equity for New Yorkers. Through collaborative events like this health fair, we are able to provide health insurance enrollment assistance to adults 65 or older, certified disabled populations, as well as serve children, youth, and young adults from birth to age 21 who have health conditions for which they need extra health care and assistance,” said Enid Herrera, Senior Director of Development, Office of Health Insurance Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

To access photos and videos from the event, please click here.

About the NYC Public Engagement Unit
The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) was created to develop a new model for government outreach, using community organizing principles to re-envision how the City provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex City bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds, and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, combats disillusionment and builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government. For more information, visit nyc.gov/PEU and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MayorsPEU or Twitter at @MayorsPEU.

MEDIA CONTACT: peupress@hra.nyc.gov

About GetCoveredNYC
GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak more than 20 languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits.

Contact GetCoveredNYC:

About BronxNet
BronxNet is the nonprofit public service multimedia network of the people of the Bronx, broadcasting award winning local TV programming from the Bronx to the world. Through our educational mission, BronxNet TV provides workforce development and experiential learning opportunities for students and the public.  Our newest location, The BronxNet Media + Technology Studios in The South Bronx at La Central will feature an Immersive Media Studio, Windows on the South Bronx Studio, Innovation Labs, Learning Labs and more, specializing in immersive media, XR production stages, filmmaking, game design, CGI, + other emerging media technologies.

About the YMCA of Greater New York
For over 170 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has been helping all New Yorkers reach their full potential. As New York City’s leading nonprofit community service and wellness organization, the Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by providing access and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. We provide a place to play, to be healthy, and to give back. We give parents childcare, young adults job training, seniors a way to connect, and children a safe place to go. By bringing people together from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y improves overall health and well-being, ignites youth empowerment, and connects and supports diverse communities across New York City.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ymcanyc.

About NYC Care
NYC Care is a healthcare access program that provides comprehensive and low or no-cost healthcare services through NYC Health + Hospitals for New Yorkers who cannot afford or are ineligible for health insurance. NYC Care provides a membership card, 24/7 customer service, access to comprehensive and affordable healthcare services, like primary care, mental health services, and sexual and reproductive healthcare, low-cost medications, and member materials in multiple languages – regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit nyccare.nyc to learn more and sign up today – privacy and confidentiality guaranteed.

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to more than one million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT: pressoffice@nychhc.org; 212.788.3339