2016 Health and Wellness Expo: Miracles Happen When Church And Agency Colloborate

October 12, 2016 - PRESSADVANTAGE -

On Saturday, October 1, 2016 the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, Maryland, Emmanuel Adventist Church, and several other partners combined their efforts to present the 2016 Health and Wellness Expo. This expo offered a comprehensive set of health screenings and assessments to the local community. The screenings included premium services such as diabetes, cholesterol, osteoporosis, and men's health - psa. In addition, counseling on housing options was also offered. These free services were offered at the Silver Spring Civic Center in the heart of the city with public transportation access.

Lynette Yancey Robinson from the Emmanuel-Brinklow Seventh-day Adventist Church says: "Close to two hundred folks took advantage of this tremendous service. The brain trust behind this initiative were Mary Philips liaison of the HOC, Betsy Johnson, faith community nurse, Lynette Yancey Robinson, community service leader, and Dr. Patrick Crarey, health ministry director, all of Emmanuel Adventist."

In a brief engagement during this hyper active event, they shared some of the motivation for this initiative. Mary and Lynette met at a professional event and over time recognized that a synergy was needed between the outreach ministries of the church and the communities that the housing authority serves. The collaboration begun with holiday baskets and back to school backpacks. Over the past three years, the relationship has evolved to include health assessments, and referrals for up to fifty families in this community. Dr. Crarey stated that the church has the privilege of being God's hands and feet, and that it is blessed with the privilege of sharing their resources and talents with the community.

A large contingent of eager volunteers added energy and dynamic to the occasion. These included middle schoolers greeting people and explaining health habits, and teenagers doing face painting, as well as meal preparation and professionals sharing the wealth of their wisdom.

The responses of the participants were very positive. Odessa had a renewed sense of community spirit after witnessing the breadth of concern and care shared. The group was challenged to add an exercise component to the offering to embed an increasingly necessary tool. Hugh Smith was most impressed that this faith community was putting real action to their convictions.

Betsy Johnson was most excited about two outcomes. A family was placed in a home from their visit, and a person was diagnosed with glaucoma and received a referral for treatment. As they backed up, excitement could be overheard regarding the next event.

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For more information about Emmanuel Adventist, contact the company here:

Emmanuel Adventist
Lynette Yancey Robinson
301 774 0400
info@emmanueladventist.com
Emmanuel-Brinklow Seventh-day Adventist Church
18800 New Hampshire Avenue.
Ashton, Maryland 20861