On Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sabathani Community Center will host its Spring Health Fair at 310 East 38^th Street. A part of Sabathani’s Higher Together initiative, the fair is a free community event designed to advertise overall health and wellness among the many residents of South Minneapolis.

“We want to position ourselves as a comprehensive health hub,” explains Rebekah Floyd, Sabathani’s latest community health navigator. We wish to be where people know they will access essential information and the tools and resources to enhance their well-being.”

Floyd, a native of South Minneapolis, remembers her many days as a student on the old Bryant Junior High School within the constructing where she now works.

“It’s as if I’ve come full circle,” reveals Floyd, who has devoted nearly a decade of her profession to public health. I’m kind of back where I began and able to make a positive and lasting impact within the neighborhood I grew up in.”   

Some of the critical goals related to Sabathani’s efforts is to each address and treatment the hostile health outcomes that disparately affect the African American community and other populations of color.

Amongst the many exhibitors that shall be in attendance are the American Red Cross, I Am Me LLC, the Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program, Hue-MAN Partnership, SNAP-Ed, UnitedHealthcare, NAMI Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Meals on Wheels, The Sage Program, YMCA of the North, the HOPE Network, UCare, the Minnesota Urology Foundation, and Wellshare International.    

All of the services on the Sabathani Spring Health Fair are provided freed from charge and include A1C screening for prediabetes and kind 2 diabetes, blood pressure measurements, dental and eye examinations, HIV testing, PSA screening for prostate cancer, balance testing, and assessing potential exposure to steer in children under the age of six.

Likewise, healthcare professionals shall be onsite to support those that may receive a troubling diagnosis and help them chart their next steps. “We won’t test someone for an illness after which set them off on their very own,” assures Floyd. Nurses and lots of other experienced professionals shall be there to offer support and assistance as needed.”     

Along with the numerous services listed above, the fair will allow residents to get their COVID-19 vaccine, review their current medications with licensed pharmacists, and receive skilled assistance with Medicare/Medicaid enrollment—all without charge.

Participants can have the choice to learn more about CPR training and how one can administer Narcan properly. This occasion will even allow the organization to showcase two of its newest community-based health initiatives: the Diabetes Prevention Program and Cooking Matters.

“The chance of diabetes is significantly higher for African Americans,” Floyd says. “In line with the National Institutes of Health, Black people experience roughly 66 more cases of diabetes per 1,000 individuals as do white Americans. And this stays considered one of the best health crises in our community.”

Complementing diabetes prevention and other chronic disease management programs at Sabathani is Cooking Matters, a program that can launch its initial cohort on April 17, 2024. A partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension’s SNAP-Ed, Cooking Matters is a six-week class that can teach participants how one can prepare healthy meals in the house.

“Certainly one of the first objectives is to get people to eat more vegatables and fruits. But it surely is so far more than that,” Floyd notes. 

“Many families have a limited budget, and this program will give them the arrogance to create reasonably priced, nutritious meals that taste good. Plus, they’ll learn how one can shop strategically, plan and budget, higher understand food labels, creatively use herbs and spices, and learn knife skills.”

After cooking these meals in school, participants will receive the groceries needed to duplicate each meal for his or her families at home. Those attending the health fair can register for each of those programs. 

Furthermore, the Sabathani Spring Health Fair will offer fun for all ages, including dance classes, prize drawings, gift cards, other incentives, and fun activities for youths.

Floyd says if people need some other motivation to attend, “Just show up.” Residents can have access to many free health screenings and connect with Sabathani and others of their community.

“There isn’t a reason to be afraid,” she continues. “And when you decide to take part in considered one of our programs, you’ll get to accomplish that with others. This is just not meant to be hard. It’s meant to be fun. And also you won’t have to take a seat at home attempting to work out how one can improve your health yourself. You’ll meet others going through a few of the same things as you.”

For more details about Sabathani’s Spring Health Fair and to register prematurely, visit sabathani.org/spring-health-fair.