By Alexa Mieses
On May 14, 2011 I felt as though our event, the Harlem, Take Care of Yourself Health Fair, had come full circle. So much had changed, yet so much remained the same. I remember when I was the Secretary of MAPS in 2009, our event attracted less than ten members from the Harlem community (yes, you read right)! MAPS worked furiously planning the event and while we may not have had the turnout for which we had hoped, we at least laid out a clear and distinct framework to follow the following year (with special effort from former MAPS President Maurice Selby). Our theme was and continues to be "education, legislation and participation," as we focus on health from these three angles. That year, Dr. Lynne Holden of Mentoring in Medicine, Inc. accepted the Bynoe-Thomas Memorial Award and Senator Bill Perkins and Council Member Robert Jackson addressed the guests.
By 2010, after being elected President and inspired by my summer position at Gay Men's Health Crisis, I suggested MAPS devote our second annual event to HIV education and prevention. HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of death among Harlem residents and black women. With old fashioned team work and the creation of various planning committees, MAPS was able to host over thirty organizations and over 100 community members from Harlem and Washington Heights. We had increased our turnout by twenty-fold!
Last week I stood outdoors at the City College Quad to begin the opening remarks on a gray and windy day. We had prayed for sunshine all week but could live with potential rain as long as we were actually spared the precipitation. What started off as a slow and dreary day turned out to be our best event yet!
HTCY 2011: Healthy Youth, Healthier Tomorrow, welcomed over 200 members of the Upper Manhattan community as we focused on pediatric/adolescent health. We welcomed pediatrician Dr. Andre Gray as he answered guests' questions and advised them on ways to remain healthy. Council Member Jackson attended the event, just as he did in 2009. This year he accepted the Bynoe-Thomas Memorial Award for his efforts to improve public education and contributions to the Upper Manhattan community. The Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a Zumba workshop and LatinFX hosted a dance workshop. We had successfully continued the theme of education, legislation and participation! The CCNY Middle Eastern Dance and Music Club performed, in addition to vocalist Jami Jackson and the LatinFX dancers. Coloring, face painting, food and give-aways were provided.
Bynoe-Thomas Memorial Award
From Left to Right: MAPS President Alexa Mieses; Council Member Robert Jackson;
MAPS Faculty Advisor Michael Samms
At the end of the day on May 14, it finally hit me: this would be my last HTCY health fair as a MAPS member/leader. I feel so lucky to have been a part of the event's evolution and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with people that are just as dedicated as I to serving the community. The event united students, health care professionals, children, parents, politicians and performers, for the same goal, to make a difference in Harlem. In just two short years, I believe we did.
MAPS Members Pose After the Event
